Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones' tenure as the face of his team "is far from over," but how he is "handling the unofficial transition of control to his son, Stephen, should be commended," according to Mac Engel of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Stephen Jones serves as Cowboys COO & Exec VP, and he faces the "impossible task of following in some of the largest and most unique footprints ever created." Jerry Jones in the past "would have to try to create or enhance the perception that Stephen’s presence was of equal value to his." Every time there was a team-oriented news conference, he "would often try to deflect questions so Stephen would answer them -- he was trying to put him out front, and to make him relevant as a power broker on the team." But over the past few years, "especially this most recent off-season, Stephen has taken on a far more visible role." It was "widely assumed Stephen was driving the boat" on the Cowboys' "hard-line stance" surrounding WR Dez Bryant's contract. Jones said that he has "taken on no more responsibility or level of involvement in the last year or so than ever before." Engel wrote Stephen’s personality and his presence "may not equal that of his father’s, but his voice has weight." This transitioning "counts as part of Jerry’s legacy." Unlike the man whom he has often been compared to, late Raiders Owner Al Davis, Jones "is handling this part of his career and his life with far more grace." Nothing about this phase "has the look of a bitter man" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/30).
