Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones backs coach Mike McCarthy despite poor start
The Dallas Cowboys dropped to 2-5 overall following Sunday's 25-3 loss to the division-foe Washington Football Team, but Dallas executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones isn't yet ready to throw head coach Mike McCarthy under the figurative bus.
"I know we've got the right head guy for the job," Jones said during a Monday appearance on radio station 105.3 The Fan, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. "These things just take time. I know our fans are frustrated. We certainly understand the criticism that's come our way. But we've got to go to work."
"You know (Cowboys owner Jerry Jones) and I are big believers in sticking with the staff," Stephen Jones added. "We've just got to give them their opportunity to work with these guys and continue to implement what they're trying to get accomplished."
McCarthy can't be blamed for his team's deficiencies at quarterback this fall. Starting signal-caller Dak Prescott was lost for the year due to the horrific leg injury he suffered during what became a 37-34 win over the New York Giants on Oct. 11. Former Cincinnati Bengals starter Andy Dalton replaced Prescott and guided Dallas to a comeback victory against the Giants but underwhelmed over the last two games. Even worse, Dalton went down to a concussion in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to Washington and may not be available for a Sunday night showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ben DiNucci will start for Dallas against Philadelphia if Dalton isn't cleared by the weekend.
One positive for the Jones family is that the NFC East doesn't contain a single winning team ahead of Halloween. Dallas and Washington are tied in the standings, while Philadelphia sits at 2-4-1. The Giants are in last place at 1-6.
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