What is certain is the Dallas Cowboys need to both never forget what happened in Week 1, and forget just enough of it to focus on the Washington Redskins.
On Friday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke in-depth on 105.3FM The Fan about the challenge at hand and what the team needs to do to prevent going down 0-2 in the NFC East...before three weeks of football is even played.
"I think we've got to make them pay when they over align," said Jones, referring to the Redskins defensive scheme. "That's always been the case. That's what we ran into last year. They dared us to throw. They shut down the running game, although we had pretty credible production with [Darren] McFadden. So, I think we just got to be ready for that. You've got to take them out of that eight and nine man stuff or throw the ball 45 times and 50 times a game which we don't want to do. But I really don't think there's any secrets here."
The loss in Week 1 is a painful reminder of the obvious, which Jones was not remiss to admit on Friday.
"We've got to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers." he said.
Speaking of playmakers, the Cowboys have none bigger on the field right now than All-Pro Dez Bryant, who saw only five targets in the opener; producing one catch for a whopping eight yards.
Jones understands getting Bryant the ball is not an option if the Cowboys want to win on Sunday.
"I think it's self-evident. He does need to get involved early. He seemingly has a little habit if he's not involved early it coincides at least with what happens at the end of the second half. All of that is pretty apparent. I know for a fact our staff, and certainly in that case Dez, would be aware of putting that kind of attention to him."
So adamant is Jones to see Bryant get the ball, he's willing to see rookie Dak Prescott fire into double coverage if necessary.
"I think you use his [Bryant's] physicality. You use his ability to just win and you have to get the ball to him when he's double covered."
Prescott was forthright this week in saying 'if Dez is the read, Dez is the read'. The translation is he won't force the issue and will take what the defense is giving him.
Jones and Prescott have different takes on what needs to happen with Bryant target-wise, and the irony is neither is incorrect.
The truth simply lies somewhere in the middle.
247Sports
On Friday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke in-depth on 105.3FM The Fan about the challenge at hand and what the team needs to do to prevent going down 0-2 in the NFC East...before three weeks of football is even played.
"I think we've got to make them pay when they over align," said Jones, referring to the Redskins defensive scheme. "That's always been the case. That's what we ran into last year. They dared us to throw. They shut down the running game, although we had pretty credible production with [Darren] McFadden. So, I think we just got to be ready for that. You've got to take them out of that eight and nine man stuff or throw the ball 45 times and 50 times a game which we don't want to do. But I really don't think there's any secrets here."
The loss in Week 1 is a painful reminder of the obvious, which Jones was not remiss to admit on Friday.
"We've got to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers." he said.
Speaking of playmakers, the Cowboys have none bigger on the field right now than All-Pro Dez Bryant, who saw only five targets in the opener; producing one catch for a whopping eight yards.
Jones understands getting Bryant the ball is not an option if the Cowboys want to win on Sunday.
"I think it's self-evident. He does need to get involved early. He seemingly has a little habit if he's not involved early it coincides at least with what happens at the end of the second half. All of that is pretty apparent. I know for a fact our staff, and certainly in that case Dez, would be aware of putting that kind of attention to him."
So adamant is Jones to see Bryant get the ball, he's willing to see rookie Dak Prescott fire into double coverage if necessary.
"I think you use his [Bryant's] physicality. You use his ability to just win and you have to get the ball to him when he's double covered."
Prescott was forthright this week in saying 'if Dez is the read, Dez is the read'. The translation is he won't force the issue and will take what the defense is giving him.
Jones and Prescott have different takes on what needs to happen with Bryant target-wise, and the irony is neither is incorrect.
The truth simply lies somewhere in the middle.
247Sports
