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Could owner Jerry really coach America's Team?

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- What a picture it would be.

Monday Night Football. Texas Stadium. Cowboys versus the Packers.

Al Michaels cues sideline reporter Lynn Swann for a quickie interview with the Dallas coach just minutes away from kickoff.

The camera closeup of the coach reveals a figure clad in blue from head to toe with Nike swooshes down both pant legs. The shirt has a big swoosh front and back with "Dallas" on the front. "Cowboys" on the back.

Yes, there are NIKE sweatbands on his wrists.

It's Jerry Jones in his first game as Cowboys coach.

"Jerry, the Packers are a tough way to start in the business," Swann said. "Can you give us just a few words on your emotions?"

Jones releases a torrent of babble into the microphone starting with "Good Morning. ... No, good evening Cowboys fans across the nation. This is Jerry Jones, IE, general manager, president, now in charge of everything from jocks to socks to blocks."

The producer panics: "Cut to the booth. Al take it."

Jones is still talking into the dead microphone as the ball is kicked off to start the game.

Not a likely scenario for sure but what fun it would be.

Jones would probably want to be his own offensive and defensive coordinator so that's two jobs he could save.

If he went for fourth and one from his own 29 like Barry Switzer did against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones wouldn't have to be worried about the defensive coordinator being mad at him if he didn't make it.

Jones could put in all kinds of exotic offensive plays, the ones he has been drawing up on his cocktail napkin in the owner's suite.

Deion Sanders played some quarterback in high school. How about Deion, who by the way throws left-handed, going deep to Michael Irvin in a surprise play to start a game.

Wouldn't we love those Nike television spots?

You could have Jones as the X and O blackboard, drawing a play for Deion.

Jones puts his arm around Sanders and asks "Deion would you like to play quarterback or receiver on this play?

"Both," Sanders replies.

"Both," Jones asks?

"I'll throw the ball to myself," Sanders says.

Of course, Jones as owner-general manager-coach could have some problems.

A coach wants a player to play no matter how much it costs. A general manager has to watch the salary cap.

Conflicts would abound.

But as far as a gambling, go-for-it coach, Dallas fans would would love their Jerry, who made millions taking a chance on drilling oil and gas wells in places many experts ignored.

It's late in the NFL championship game and Dallas has just scored a touchdown. The Cowboys can kick the extra point and go to overtime or go for two points and the win.

From his cell phone, Jones calls Jimmy Johnson on his boat Three Rings in Florida.

"Jimmy, I'm calling to let you know I've got just as many guts as you had when you were with the Cowboys. Watch this play."

During the timeout with players huddling around to block out any prying eyes, Deion has traded uniforms with Richie Cunningham and trots out on the field.

Green Bay isn't fooled but they tumble headlong into a Jones trap. The ball is snapped directly to Sanders, who acts panicky and runs in place. As 11 Packers bear down, Sanders lofts a perfect pass to Nate Newton standing all alone in the end zone.

"How 'bout these Jerry Jones Cowboys?" Jones yells in the phone at Johnson. "I've proved I'm one of 500 people who can coach the Cowboys."

Go for it Jerry. Just don't pack a pistol in the airport.