Ed "Too Tall" Jones stands as a towering figure, not just due to his physical stature, but for his contributions to the Dallas Cowboys' legacy. A cornerstone of the team that clinched the Super Bowl XII title, Jones' 15-year career was marked by 106 sacks and accolades like being named an All-Pro defensive end. His impact on the field remains significant, even as conversations about the Cowboys' more recent history and leadership challenges persist.
Jones has long been vocal about the importance of veteran leadership in achieving postseason success. Reflecting on contemporary teams like Buffalo and Baltimore, Jones remarked, “If you look at these teams now that make the playoffs, like Buffalo, Baltimore, all those teams, they don't have anybody on those teams that won a Super Bowl in that locker room. To be a champion, you've got to be able to get to another level.” Jones underscores that experience is a critical differentiator in big games, a lesson he learned amidst fierce battles in his own career.
Under coach Jimmy Johnson in the '90s, the Dallas Cowboys made a strategic move by acquiring Charles Haley from the San Francisco 49ers, a player already seasoned with two Super Bowl rings. This move paid off remarkably as the Cowboys went on to secure three Super Bowl titles in four years. Reflecting on these events, Jones emphasized, “What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games. Every general manager in the league should be out trying to pick up a guy that gets cut or something that's been to a Super Bowl and put him in that locker room. It makes a big difference.”
Jones' insights into the NFL's competitive landscape extend beyond mere strategy; he speaks to the essence of having internal leadership within the team. “The team plays too well every year. They win 12 games every year and they’re a different animal in the playoffs. Coaches can't do it all to put you over the top. You must have internal leadership. I’m not just talking about captains. I'm talking about a guy in that locker room that’s been there, done that, knows what he’s talking about, and players will follow,” he explained. For Jones, the juxtaposition between regular season success and playoff triumph often boils down to having players who can influence and inspire when stakes are highest.
Jones' experiences against veteran-laden teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who bested the Cowboys in the mid-'70s, further illustrated the importance of seasoned players. “That Pittsburgh team had nothing but veterans on both sides of the ball. Nothing but veterans. We were a very young team both times when they beat us in '75 and when they beat us in '78, even though we only lost by four points both games and [Roger] Staubach had the ball driving [late] in those games. I was proud of the way we hung in there against a veteran team because experience in big games is very important. Very important,” he recalled.
Action on the field wasn't the only place where Jones faced challenges. His status as part of "America's Team" made the Cowboys a perennial target. “That America's Team thing made us bulletin board material... Well, we were a target every time we stepped on the field. … We got a team's best. Picture having to deal with that every Sunday. That’s not easy,” Jones recounted, reflecting the psychological and physical demands of living up to a national moniker.
In his post-retirement life, Jones has found new ways to maintain his independence and mobility. His partnership with Sportcane, a novel walking aid, has been transformative. “I don’t know what I would do if it wasn’t for the Sportcane as far as being able to get around and still not letting anything hinder what I do in life,” he shared, attributing significant improvements in his quality of life to the device.
As the Dallas Cowboys continuously chase their next Super Bowl appearance, their last being in January 1996, Jones' reflections offer more than just nostalgic value—they provide a blueprint for what builds champions. His storied career and insights wield lessons on the critical intersection of experience, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The modern NFL general manager would do well to heed his advice.