It is hard to believe that it has been 15 long years since the Cowboys have won a playoff game. I mean really, this is America's team and the most valuable team in professional football. The team has come close a couple of times to a playoff vicory since 1995, but they always find a way to lose in the end. Some of the fault lays with the players, but the majority of the fault has to do with the ownership and upper management which Jerry Jones rules with an iron fist. I'll give him credit for rebuilding the team in the late 80's and early 90's, but as soon as all the parts were in place, he broke them apart.
The hiring of Jimmie Johnson was a good move on his part. The man was an excellent leader and motivator and has a history of success in coaching. Once the Cowboys reached the top though, it seemed as if Jones was jeaolous of Johnson's attention and the media giving him the credit for rebuilding the team. Wasn't this what he was hired to do? He deserved the praise. As soon as Johnson left because of the differences he shared with Jones on how to run the team, Jones carefully selected coaches that he could order around and do exactly and draft exactly how Jones wanted. That didn't get the team far, with the exeption of Switzer's Superbowl team in 1996.
Finally, I thought Jones had learned to sit back and let a coach run the team when he hired Parcells. He could not have hired a better coach. He was firm on discipline and knew how to build and coach a team. When T.O. was brought in, I knew this wouldn't last long, T.O. or Parcells would have to go. Well, we all know who went. Now that Phillips is in charge, things have just gone down hill. Don't get me wrong, he is a great defensive coordinator but he seems to lack the will or strength to get the team organized. Then of course there was the hiring of Pacman Jones. It was shortly after this I heard Jones in an interview tell a reporter he hired these kind of players because he liked to see the Cowboys in the news and always wanted people talking about them. He didn't say anything about wanting to win.
In my opinion, the Cowboys will never return to a championship caliber team until Jones keeps his butt in the owner box and hires a coach and GM that can run the team without Jones interfering. Jones is a good business man but a terrible wannabe coach.