Jerry Jones Puts Dallas Staff on Silence

For the Dallas Cowboys, a team that entered 2008 with Super Bowl expectations only to finish the year with nine wins and no playoffs, there haven't been many changes this offseason. The defensive coordinator and special teams coach were fired and Pacman Jones was released.

Other than that, though, not much has changed. Not 'til combine week, anyway. Jerry Jones slapped his coaching staff with a gag order -- nobody can talk to the media "independently" -- because, as the Dallas Morning News' Todd Archer writes, the Cowboys owner "has been upset with what he feels have been inaccurate stories this offseason."

"You can't get the full picture unless you visit with me," Jones said Saturday before leaving for dinner with the coaches, scouts and medical personnel in Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine. ...

"Where I'm coming from here, I just want to make sure you're not getting bits and pieces of information," Jones said. "That's not doing anybody any good, and you're not making accurate reports."

Archer elaborates: Jerry was less than jazzed about the story "regarding an internal debate between himself and the team's executive vice president, Stephen Jones, regarding Terrell Owens' future and a report of players visiting Jones' Highland Park home to discuss personnel."

Seems like a fine strategy to me, but I wonder what took Jerry so long. The Cowboys are one of the league's highest profile teams, and rumors have always followed them, dating back to the pre-internet days of Jimmy Johnson, Michael Irvin and Nate Newton. On the upside, it's one less thing head coach Wade Phillips has to worry about, and he looks like a guy who could use a little help.

Latest Cowboys Photos

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. Jones announced that country icon George Strait will headline the first event at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington on June 6. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys shoots over NBA legend Clyde Drexler during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens;Clyde Drexler

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys holds the MVP trophy following the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Terrell Owens was named Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys dribbles against Special K Daley of the Harlem Globetrotters during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Special K Daley;Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys shakes hands with actor Chris Tucker during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens;Chris Tucker

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys runs during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Former NBA legend Magic Johnson and Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys joke around during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens;Earvin Johnson

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys and former NBA player Dominique Wilkins joke around during the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dominique Wilkins;Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 13: Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys wears a costume prior to the McDonald's All-Star Celebrity Game on center court during NBA Jam Session Presented by Adidas on February 13, 2009 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Terrell Owens

NBAE/Getty Images