Jerry Jones's Videoboard Dilemma

This should be interesting to watch. During the first pre-season game in the Dallas Cowboy's new mega-stadium, a punter for the Tennessee Titans hit the mega-videoboard hanging 90 feet above the playing field. Jerry Jones was asked later whether he was planning to raise the videoboard. He said he was not, that the board was five feet higher than the NFL minimum clearance of 85 feet, and under normal playing conditions it would not interfere with a punt. The punter was trying to hit it, said JJ. Plus, punters normally kick for distance, not height, and tend to kick right or left, not down the middle of the fiels, Jones continued.

I agree that the punter probably was trying to hit the board. Did you see his grin after the kick? The nicking resulted in a do-over.

Joe Avezzano, former Cowboys special teams coach, said after the game that he dreaded do-overs when his team was receiving, since he knew they would be more tired than in the first play.

HKS, the architects for the stadium, had no comment. Surprised?

I have no idea about the cost of raising the mega-videoboard. Jones says raising it would worsen the viewability of the board from some seats.

Game announcer Troy Aikman said it was a good thing the punter who hit the board was not wearing a Cowboy uniform, or he would be looking for another job. Probably true.

How many nickings will it take before Jerry changes his mind and raises the board? Stay tuned.