ARLINGTON (105.3 The Fan) - The Cowboys owner talked one on two with Richie and Greggo today on the FAN after his big presser at the Sheraton Hotel Media Center on everything from the weather to the Cowboys Stadium to the economy....to Whitt.

On the Stadium:  "We wanted to make something that was totally different from watching the game on television at home.  It had to be something that said "wow" and especially in the greatest economically challenging times of our time.  Rather than scale back, I pushed the gas (pedal) down.  You can call me crazy but I really feel there is a huge economic future for the country and the NFL."

Translation:  Jerry was scared to death pumping in an extra $500 million to make it the gem that it is.  Just like all of us, Jones is feeling the pain from the downturn.

On the Labor Situation:  "In our country, there are systems in place to change what you are doing.  The process of  "what counts" is are we going to be playing in the fall?  Not hang our hats on off-season workouts and such.  I am one of the leaders in the pack in playing in the fall.  It is incumbent on us as a steward to recognize that what we have in place is not a good model.  Rather than waiting until we are in the shape the country is in, we need to make some changes like we'd love to have made 10-15 years ago in this country."

Translation:  Get ready for a long summer.  The two sides are going to fight tooth and nail over money.  The owners are ready to dig in to change the way the pie is cut.  Owners feel they are sharing the most risk here and Jerry appears to be aware of a tough road ahead for fans who will freak out if there is no football in the fall.

On an 18 game season:  "The owners have the right to make it a 22 game season if we want.  Our research shows that fans are in favor of an 18 game season and only two pre season games."

Translation:  Players should be thankful that we are only asking them to play two more regular season games.  Players are not going to like it, but I'm betting they will eventually give on this one.

On the Steelers model of Success:  "They've rolled with the punches.  From Slash (Kordell Stewart) to Ben Roethlisberger.  They draft them, play them and I think that has paid off for them.  I admire the way they run their team."

Translation:   I'm jealous.

On the Cowboys 6-10 season and not playing in the Super Bowl here:   "I crossed that bridge about 6 - 7 games into the season.  The way we were stinking it up, the idea has passed me by now."

Translation:   We sucked.

Jones also said that there will be an announcement during the week about naming rights for the stadium as had been previously reported about a month ago.  The Cowboys have also added riser seats in the end zones to add  "seat" capacity for the stadium, which has been approved to hold 111,000 people for a game by the fire marshal.

Translation:  It is tough out there even for the high rollers who cannot get a naming rights commitment.  That business strategy may be going the way of the dinosaur.  Isn't that right, Ameriquest?