Ed "Too Tall" Jones on the Keys to Postseason Success
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a defensive legend for the Dallas Cowboys, understands the intricate blend of skill, leadership, and experience required for postseason triumphs. A central figure in the Cowboys' Super Bowl XII victory, Jones accrued an impressive 106 sacks over his 15-year career. As a former All-Pro, he has the credentials and insight to speak authoritatively on what it takes to succeed in the NFL's most critical moments.
Reflecting on his own experiences and the current state of the league, Jones emphasizes the importance of veteran presence. "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," he asserts.
Jones's perspective is informed by the transformative trade for Charles Haley in the 1990s, during Jimmy Johnson’s tenure as head coach of the Cowboys. Haley, already a two-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, brought a winning mentality to Dallas. His arrival was quickly followed by the Cowboys' first of three Super Bowl titles in a four-year span.
"What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games," Jones explains. "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 points to the critical role of internal leadership during high-stakes games. The need for seasoned players who have experienced the pressures of the Super Bowl cannot be overstated. He believes that without such veterans, even the most talented squads can falter when the stakes are highest. "That is definitely one of the things. 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."
Jones doesn't shy away from criticizing teams that lack this veteran presence, including his own Dallas Cowboys. "Who will they follow? Dallas don’t have it. Several teams don’t have it. That’s just one of the things. They’re missing a few horses in key positions, too, but oftentimes, when you have the right leadership and the right chemistry, you make up for it."
The importance of veteran leadership resonates with Jones’s reflections on past encounters with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He vividly recalls how Pittsburgh’s veteran-heavy roster had a significant edge over the young Cowboys teams of the mid-to-late 1970s. "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."
The weight of expectations was immense, a fact that Jones remembers all too well. "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."
Off the field, Jones has also found ways to inspire and motivate others, recently partnering with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid. He credits Sportcane for significantly improving his mobility and quality of life. "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 states.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones’s reflections offer a poignant reminder of the blend of talent, leadership, and experience required to excel in the NFL’s brightest spotlight. His career, filled with accolades and hard-fought battles, underscores the lasting impact of seasoned players on the field and the unique role they play in guiding teams to Super Bowl glory.