Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a towering figure in the annals of the Dallas Cowboys, played an integral role in the team’s triumph in Super Bowl XII. Over an illustrious 15-year career, Jones accumulated 106 sacks, carving out a reputation as a dominant All-Pro defensive end.
Reflecting on the current state of the NFL, Jones offered insights into what separates good teams from great ones. “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 explained.
The Dallas Cowboys' most recent Super Bowl appearance was in January 1996, a period that saw them win three titles in four years. This era of dominance was sparked by a pivotal trade for defensive end Charles Haley, a move orchestrated under head coach Jimmy Johnson. Haley, already a two-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, brought invaluable experience and leadership to the Cowboys. “What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games,” Jones noted. “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 underscored the importance of internal leadership and the presence of seasoned players in achieving postseason success. “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,” he emphasized.
Jones pointed out that the Cowboys, along with several other teams, lack this crucial element. “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,” he remarked.
Drawing from his own experiences, Jones highlighted the importance of veteran presence by recounting the challenges faced by the Cowboys in their encounters with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 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,” he reflected.
Off the field, Jones has embraced a new chapter in his life. Partnering with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid, he credits the device 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,” Jones shared.
As Ed "Too Tall" Jones looks back on his storied career and forward to new ventures, his insights on leadership and experience remain as relevant as ever. The wisdom gained from years on the gridiron serves as a reminder to teams striving for greatness: the presence of seasoned champions in the locker room can make all the difference when it comes to achieving postseason success.