ARLINGTON, Texas — Owner Jerry Jones says it would be a mistake to put too much emphasis on the Dallas Cowboys losing the first game in their new stadium.
As for Tony Romo, whose three interceptions led tothree touchdowns for the New York Giants and helped spoil the grand opening of Cowboys Stadium, Jones still has full confidence the quarterback will oneday do what Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach have done for the Cowboys - win a Super Bowl.
"I couldn't feel better about who I'm lining up with, Romo at quarterback," Jones said Friday. "We're going to be good there and all right.If you're going to ask Tony, which we are, to make plays, then you will have interceptions.
"There's no doubt in my mind he will be improved and his arrow is still going up in that improvement area."
A week after a careerbest 353 yards passing and no turnovers in the season opener, Romo had one of his worst games Sunday in one of the most visible settings of his career, finishing 13 of 29 for 127 yards. He did throw a 1-yard touchdown and ran for a 3-yard score.
"He has had some great days. Someday he will have the greatest day of all," said Jones, who was then asked to clarify if he meant winning a Super Bowl. "I do. I do. To the extent I feel like that willhappen, it is in no small part due to his skill level because of his ability to come back from adversity because of his hard work. "
Jones didn't predict when, but remember the Super Bowlat the end of the next season is at Cowboys Stadium.
While Jones was certainly disappointed about losing 33-31 to the Giants, who kicked a field goal on the final play of the game, he said Friday the loss is "all behind us now."
He says the emphasis put on the hoopla and pageantry that surrounded the grand opening of the nearly $1.2 billion stadium was justified. As for the loss for the Cowboys (1-1), he says he has put that into perspective as well: It was only the second game of the season.
"The opening of this grand stadium, it's appropriate to place the interest," Jones said. "It would be a mistake to put too much emphasis relative to the team on the loss of that game. That wouldn't be right, that wouldn't be constructive, and it really wouldn't be fair to this team."
Jones insisted the loss to the Giants puts no extra pressure on Monday's matchupagainst Carolina (0-2), another nationally televised game to highlight the new stadium, or the rest of the season.
The owner also said he's not concerned about the defense, even though the same unit that led the NFL with 59 sacks last season is the only team heading into Week 3 without a sack or a forced turnover. Coach Wade Phillips took on the additional role of defensive coordinator during the off-season, but the Cowboys rank 30th in the NFL, having allowed 877 yards.
"I'm not concerned," Jones said. "It has everything to do with Wade. It has everything to do with our front seven. I know what we are trying to do and the quality of our players and coaches in the secondary.
"I am not concerned. We will get this right."
Sports, Pages 21 on 09/26/2009