ARLINGTON (105.3 The Fan) - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones deserved to make headlines after his team's final preseason game on Thursday night, unless he actually didn't.
Jones didn't say Elliott is going to miss the season opener on Sept. 8 against the New York Giants, rather he said exactly what is currently in front of him: Elliott isn't here, and if Elliott continues to not be here, then of course, he will miss games.
Here's his full quote:
"I'm operating as though right now he's going to miss regular season games. My entire expectation for what we're putting together as a team right now would anticipate with him holding out and not having made any of training camp that he's going to miss games. I just accept that," Jones said.
Sure, Jason Garrett and his football team need to assume Elliott isn't going to be here because he hasn't been all training camp. But the organization, on the other hand, needs to do everything they can to get him in the building and sign a new contract.
And, so, where does that leave us? Several outlets would have you think that Jones actually believes Elliott won't be there Week 1. But as someone who participated in the entire press conference, including reviewing the video of it, that wasn't the intention of the always optimistic Jones, and it's a mistake to interpret it otherwise. Is Jones negotiating in the media with his words? Absolutely. But his desire to get the Elliott camp's attention about preparedness for the All-Pro running back's absence has been fumbled by the media.
Was it intentional or accidental? Was it naviety or malace? Either way the toothpaste is out of the tube.
Jones is scheduled to join 105.3 The Fan's Ben and Skin Show and will have a chance to respond to these headlines sometime tomorrow between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT on 105.3 The Fan.