Cowboys’ Jerry Jones backs roughing the passer calls, protecting quarterbacks
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones strongly suggested he’s against loosening roughing the passer rules even though NFL fans around the country think such guidelines are far too strict following multiple controversial calls made this fall.
“Yeah, we’ve been trying to take care of quarterbacks forever, and should be, and the game that we have creates a vulnerability,” Jones explained during an appearance on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “They are targets and they are concentrating, for the most part, downfield, away. They’re using their instincts and their senses to feel pressure, but they’re basically trying to execute the offense. And they are irreplaceable, in most cases.”
Jones added the Cowboys got “lucky” that backup Cooper Rush was able to guide the club to a 4-2 record until starter Dak Prescott could return from the thumb injury he suffered in Week 1.
Specifically, roughing the passer penalties sparked debates among media personalities and fans this month after Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett and Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs were flagged in Week 5 for what many deemed to be legal plays. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones added he’s in favor of rules that better help offensive linemen protect quarterbacks during games.
“I’ll give you an example, the left tackle and the right tackle get to start with his foot back — his outside foot back,” Jones remarked. “It used to be they had to have those even. Well, the difference is dramatic and when you put it back, you’re able to protect the outside rush to start to play that way. So the game has had adjustments going since the beginning of time, and they’re good ones and they have helped us have the game we’ve got today. I have no apologies to make, in any way, for any of the additional things you do to help avoid injury to the quarterback.”
Jones admitted owners and the league must avoid going “overboard” as it pertains to protecting those who play arguably the single most important position in all of North American professional sports.
For better or for worse, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent made it clear earlier this week the league is “not changing the philosophy around” roughing the passer and is “not going to back off of protecting the quarterback.” In short, defensive players better continue making adjustments to how they chase signal-callers or risk earning costly in-game penalties and also potential postgame fines.
