Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith on Jerry Jones criticizing Jason Garrett: 'We’ve got to get some wins for Jerry'
FRISCO, Texas — Usually, Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones join for a Monday personnel meeting after Sunday games.
Following the Cowboys’ 13-9 loss to the Patriots, after which the owner levied “glaring” blame at his coaching staff, they did not.
This was, Garrett said, in line with the Cowboys’ short preparation schedule for a Thanksgiving game. No time for the typical Monday meeting. Still, as of Monday evening, Garrett said he had not spoken with Jones since the game.
“We just need to focus on what we need to do as players and coaches to get ready for the next challenge,” Garrett said. “When you play the Thanksgiving game, you have to put the last one to bed really once you get off the plane on Sunday night. You get your eyes forward as coaches and as a football team.
“I thought our guys did a good job of that today.”
Even so, Jones’ sharp criticism wasn’t a secret at the Star on Monday.
Jones spent more than 15 minutes in the bowels of Gillette Stadium on Sunday explaining to reporters why he was so frustrated.
“We all saw why we didn’t win it,” Jones said, adding that it was “pretty glaring” and “you’re going to get outcoached during this era when you come to New England.”
The Cowboys whiffed on play after play in the game, from a fumble and interception to seven penalties totaling 50 yards. The most detrimental miscue was a blocked punt in the first quarter, which the Patriots converted into the game’s only touchdown.
“Special teams was really, probably, the determining difference,” Jones said. He added: “To me special teams is 100% coaching. It’s 100% coaching.”
Garrett maintained his forward-looking tone when asked Monday about Jones’ criticism, whether it undermines coaches’ authority among players and whether Jones’ words make it more difficult to focus.
“There certainly were some things we have to get better at and we’re going to work on,” said Garrett, who is coaching on the final year of his contract. “But again, our eyes are forward on Buffalo.”
Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith offered a similar sentiment when asked about the criticism.
“Is it uncomfortable? I think it’s business,” Smith said. “It’s part of the game. You have to remove your emotion, and me being a business man, I understand that.”
Smith saw the Joneses’ business practices when negotiating a five-year, $64 million extension ahead of 2019. His takeaway on what can be the family’s hardline stance: “The (Cowboys') star is the star. And the star’s going to be here when I’m long gone, whether I’m here or not.”
So players will focus on winning rather than owner-coach spats, Smith said.
“We want to win. We want to win,” Smith said. “Any time you lose it’s a terrible feeling. But it’s an opportunity to grow, and for us to come together and become stronger.
“We’ve got to get some wins for Jerry.”
Follow Jori Epstein on Twitter @JoriEpstein.