Bill Parcells: Jerry Jones subject of 'misperception'

The Dallas Cowboys have one playoff win since 1996.

It's an ugly stat that has led to some justified criticism of Jerry Jones, who acts both as the Cowboys' owner and general manager.

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Bill Parcells developed a close relationship with Jones during his run as Cowboys coach from 2003 to 2006. Parcells recently told the Cowboys' official website he remains "pretty good friends" with Jones, whom Parcells believes is misunderstood.

"Oh yeah, definitely. I think it's distorted," said Parcells, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month. "I think there's a definite misperception. I just think everyone thinks things are a certain way. I didn't see it to be that way. I think Jerry is a good businessman and a good listener. What you have to do is make sense to him.

"You've got to make sense to him. If he thinks you're making sense, he'll alter his opinion. I enjoyed him. I like him. I like him a lot."

Parcells' last game as a coach was an infamous one, a 2006 wild-card playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks that forever will be remembered for Tony Romo's botched hold on a chip-shot field-goal attempt that would've given the Cowboys a lead late in regulation.

During a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Parcells was asked why he chose to leave the Cowboys after that season.

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"I was at a different age," said Parcells, who was 65 when he stepped down as Cowboys coach. "To me, I'm trying to win the championship. When you lose like we lost that game, I'm down the road coaching-wise and age-wise and, quite frankly, energy-wise. And you start thinking about all the things to just get back to where you were that moment, and sometimes it's a little bit overwhelming. So I just decided, that's enough, I'm getting off the field, and this time I stayed off the field."

It's a great what-if to think about how Romo's career might have played out differently had he spent a few more years under Parcells. We'll never know.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.