Who knew there was such a thing as a screen that's too big? It seems almost un-American -- certainly un-Texan. But Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is at the center of a controversy (shocking, we know) because the enormous video board at his team's new stadium is treating punts like your big brother treated your basketball shots when you were 8.
The catch is the video board actually conforms to NFL rules, and raising it is a pricey proposition. ESPN.com NFC East blogger Matt Mosley addressed the topic in chat Tuesday, raising his own question as to who is really at fault.
Zorro (Arlington)
My fiance works for Arlington. We toured the stadium after the board went in and the first thing she said was, "punts are going to hit that." I laughed and assured her that the engineers would have known exactly how high a punt can go ... so what happened? Did Jerry know it was too low and say "screw it" because his ego wanted the size and the sightlines? This could not have been a surprise to him and the designers.
Matt Mosley
Zorro, if only your wife had left that in Jerry's stadium "comments" box. Could've saved everyone a lot of heartache -- and headlines. The 90-foot-high board met NFL specs, so now Goodell's in a tougher spot than Jerry -- in my opinion.
BOSSMAN (Beverly Hills, CA)
What do you think the NFL/Cowboys will agree to do with the new scoreboard?
Matt Mosley
I think the commish is in a really tough spot. The NFL signed off on the scoreboard's specs. It will apparently cost Jerry millions to raise it on a permanent basis. I think the two sides will reach a "private" agreement where the NFL helps fund the raising of the board. Otherwise, you have a real mess on your hands. If Jones didn't do anything wrong here, how are you going to make him put up a few million? Full transcript.
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