GM: Cowboys a contender with Stephen Jones

Jerry Jones isn’t a considered a football guy. Yes, he played at the University of Arkansas, but he made his money in the oil business and bought the Cowboys in 1989. The team won three Super Bowls — in 1992, 1993 and 1995 — though, depending on who’s telling the story, Jimmy Johnson was responsible for building those rosters.

Jones and Johnson have differing accounts about who deserved credit for what, but the reality is this: Since 1997, Dallas has made the postseason seven times and managed a 2-7 record — including a stretch from 1998-2008 where they were winless.

Jones isn’t afraid to take risks others wouldn’t if it means getting the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl, but it’s also hard to take the man seriously when he admits that he really wanted to use a first-round pick on Johnny Manziel. Or that he said of Brandon Weeden last season, “You won’t see a more gifted passer.” Or that he’s now kicking himself for not overpaying to land Paxton Lynch in last week’s draft.

But it’s also why the Cowboys owner and general manager isn’t solely responsible for player-personnel decisions. In fact, much of that falls to Jones’ son, Stephen, who has done a masterful job of keeping his old man in …

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