"The Dallas Cowboys sometimes seem like a marketing company that plays football on the side."
That's the phrase coined by our own Mike Fisher, and oh boy, Jerry Jones pretty much just confirmed it publicly.
Now, we know of Jerry's love for keeping his team "above the fold" and in the news daily, but we have seen over the past handful of years that what Jerry truly holds dear might not have anything to do with football.
Instead, the marketing business is booming and Jerry - much to the chagrin of those in Cowboys Nation who fear this is an "unserious'' football team - is loving it.
Speaking at the premiere of the Netflix documentary "America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys,'' Jerry confirmed, whether knowingly or unknowingly, that making sure his franchise is being talked about is his top priority.
“I do believe, if we’re not being looked at, I’ll do my part to get us looked at,'' he said. … "The Cowboys are a soap opera 365 days a year. When it gets slow, I’ll stir it up. … Oh, it’s wonderful to have the great players … But there is something more there.
“There is sizzle. There is emotion. There is controversy. That controversy is good stuff.’’
Are we surprised? Absolutely not.
But there is a rather interesting thread to be pulled here, and a correlation to be made.
This offseason under Brian Schottenheimer, it has been smooth sailing, except for Micah Parsons and his contract talks. It was, for the most part, a quiet offseason, but now there's Jerry's "controversy."
The Cowboys are being talked about on every national media show, which is what Jones loves, but he fails to realize that his team would be talked about regardless of what contract moves he does or doesn't make.
The main thing isn't the main thing and hasn't been for a while, but hey, that's nothing new; however, now, even his players are beginning to get fed up with this circus.
If the Cowboys aren't "being looked at" as Jerry said, he'll do his best to get them looked at, and we ask why? What is so bad about having a quiet offseason when the team can focus on one thing and one thing only? Because Jerry can't help himself, and has to "stir it up."
Even if it is detrimental to the team, which is clearly the case lately.
Regarding Parsons' contract talks, or lack thereof, we point this out - is this whole saga being done by Jerry to make sure the Cowboys stir up "controversy" amid a quiet offseason even if it means angering your best player?
Based on Jerry's comments, you can't not say that is what is happening here.
But again, the characterization of the Cowboys "marketing company that plays football on the side" has never felt more relevant.
And right now, business is booming.
