Jerry Jones on Cowboys' offseason: 'Risk takes on a lot of different forms'

The Dallas Cowboys made a number of controversial acquisitions during the offseason, but they're each just another calculated risk for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas signed defensive end Greg Hardy, who was subsequently issued a 10-game suspension stemming from domestic abuse charges.

The Cowboys also drafted defensive end Randy Gregory, who descended down draft boards after failing a test for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine. After the annual player selection event, they added La'el Collins, who was interviewed by police about the shooting of his ex-girlfriend (the 21-year-old LSU product was never considered a suspect).

With the Cowboys boasting a legitimate opportunity at Super Bowl contention, Jones is exploring every avenue to bolster the roster.

"We're not buying bonds here," Jones said to USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell. "Risk takes on a lot of different forms, be it financial, the draft slot, something physical. I felt this was the time to be aggressive. Any pick you make, or any player you sign, something can go wrong."

Dallas captured the NFC East in 2014 with a 12-4 record, and is poised to repeat as divisional champions. However, Jones directly correlated the Cowboys' window of opportunity to quarterback Tony Romo, who at 35 is in the latter years of his prime.

"It is really about the opportunity that presents itself, probably in every case," Jones said. "I'd like to tell you I sat down and strategized after last season. It's almost like the draft. Let's be real aggressive. At this juncture, that has everything to do with where (Tony) Romo is, and the level of players we have."

Sporting the league's best offensive line and an excellent quarterback-wide receiver duo in Romo and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys were already on their way in challenging for a Super Bowl berth. If Jones's key acquisitions meet their potential, his team could be headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in 20 years.