Jerry Jones loves to make things interesting. While his Dallas Cowboys certainly got a much needed win after defeating the New York Giants at home, it was not enough for the outspoken owner. Jones is accusing the Giants of faking injuries, something that has come under the spotlight since comments by former linebacker Brian Urlacher. Jones believes it was obvious the Giants were doing the same thing.
The owner is questioning a few moves made during a series in the second quarterback when the Dallas Cowboys were pushing the hurry-up offense. On back-to-back players, the Giants lost two defenders. Linebacker Dan Connor went down and the Cullen Jenkins went down with an apparent shoulder injury. While the television went to commercial break each time, head coach Jason Garrett was sharing his concerns with officials.
"I thought us experts on football were the only ones who could see that," Jones said, via ESPNDallas.com. "No, it was so obvious it was funny. It wasn't humorous because we really wanted the advantage and knew we could get it if we could get the ball snapped."
Quarterback Tony Romo noticed the same thing. The quarterback noted that during that stretch, the offense was moving the ball well and quickly while injuries hampered the momentum the Cowboys were showing. He referred to it as simply a "tough break." Meanwhile, the Dallas crowd booed the tactics by the Giants.
The accusations come after the NFL sent out a memo to all teams warning them to not fake injuries. Urlacher made comments saying the Chicago Bears used to do that move all the time in order to slow their opponents down and throw them off a little. The linebacker noted the coach would signal for a "dive guy" to get "hurt" on the following play. It was used in an effort for the offense to lose steam and was a tactic that was not coached but certainly part of the game plan.
NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino informed teams that faking injuries could result in unsportsmanlike penalties and discipline after the game.
"We have instructed all officials to be on the alert for violations of this rule," Blandino wrote in the memo, via ESPN.com. "Further, if it is determined by video review or other means available to the League office that defensive players are engaging in such practices, such players and their coaches may be subject to disciplinary action."
The Giants did not receive any penalties for the two injuries despite what Jones believes. Connors had suffered similar injuries in the past and did not return for the remainder of the game. Jenkins sat out one play but returned for the next snap.