Thursday, December 3, 1998

Offensive-line woes just a distant memory for Cowboys

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - One season after causing a stir because of their inept play, the Dallas Cowboys' offensive linemen have had some controversial moments again.

The issues pale in comparison to last year's problems - lack of depth and injuries, which were considered the root of the team's 6-10 record.

Instead of having trouble finding someone who can play, the Cowboys are having trouble finding room for a bevy of talented blockers.

Center Clay Shiver, the starter since last season, has recently been supplanted by former Canadian Football League standout Mike Kiselak.

The right-guard spot was also of some issue before Everett McIver went out with a season-ending knee injury against the Seattle Seahawks. Many observers felt it should have been rookie Flozell Adams' job - citing Adams' immense potential and his above-average performance in place of the injured McIver for five games earlier in the season.

The Cowboys claimed that McIver was the better player. It's all moot now.

And as a result, the Cowboys lead the league in fewest sacks allowed (11). The line has paved the way for the league's second-best running game and fourth-best offense.

Through it all, however, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones simply smiled.

Only if they could have had these problems last season, when the Cowboys faced the agony of having much-maligned George Hegamin protect quarterback Troy Aikman's blind side at left tackle in place of injured Mark Tuinei, who was headed for retirement. Or having to insert gimpy-kneed John Flannery at guard for an injured Nate Newton. Or allowing Shiver to garner the center spot largely unchallenged.

In addition to becoming stronger, the line is also deeper, which has allowed the Cowboys to overcome a plethora of injuries. Four of the five starters have missed some time, yet the offensive line has seen no drop-off.

Jones said the Cowboys made improving the line an off-season priority. And he gives a lot of credit to scouting director Larry Lacewell and his department for finding Kiselak, drafting Adams, and signing top reserve Tony Hutson, who joined the team from the practice squad last season and has seen time in place of tackle Erik Williams.More on the lineThough upset about his team's recent penchant for penalties, Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said he will not reinstitute the penalty-lap discipline he used during training camp. He said the lap might be a detriment on game day.

But the offensive linemen have been policing themselves for a couple of years, levying fines on each other for, among other infractions, penalties in practice, showing up late for meetings, improper dress and eating in meetings.

According to Shiver, the fines start at $10 at the beginning of the week and double each day as they get closer to game day. Rookie Flozell Adams has been hit the hardest so far with $750 in fines. The money goes into a pot to pay for a party at the end of the season.Getting it straightWilliams takes a lot of heat from those in the press box for being the Cowboys' biggest offender on pre-snap penalties. However, closer inspection, thanks to Stats Inc., reveals that Williams has some company in the false-start department.

Left tackle Larry Allen and tight end David Lafleur are tied with Williams for the team lead with four. Center Kiselak, quarterback Jason Garrett and guard Flozell Adams have been whistled twice each.Things that make you go hmmmm!So the Cowboys signed Chris Warren in the off-season as an insurance policy for running back Emmitt Smith, who was criticized for coming out of too many games last season because of injuries. So far in 1998, Warren has missed four games and could miss a fifth on Sunday with a groin injury. Smith has missed none and is fourth in NFL rushing ranks with 1,107 yards. ... Do you think injured cornerback Deion Sanders will miss next week's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, considering that he'll get a chance to go against former Falcons buddy/foe Andre Rison? Remember the tremendous battle the two waged in 1994, when Sanders was with the 49ers and Rison was still with the Falcons? And they played football, too.Billups a 'Bad Boy'Rookie cornerback Terry Billups is a bad boy for all the right reasons.

The former communications and pre-law major at North Carolina is part of "Bad Boy Sports" marketing company in New Jersey. It's an offshoot of Sean "Puffy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment record label.

He also is part owner of a North Carolina-based production company, which is working on two film documentaries.

YARD MARKERS: How far do the Cowboys have to go?

First and Goal

Was the cliche "he has a nose for the end zone" made with Emmitt Smith in mind? Look at Thursday's game against the Vikings. Smith wasn't particularly effective on the ground, rushing for just 44 yards on 18 carries. However, when the Cowboys neared the end zone, he was unstoppable, rushing for three touchdowns to tie Marcus Allen atop the league's all-time list for rushing touchdowns.

First and 10

Quarterback Troy Aikman has thrown just one interception in his last 184 attempts and set a team record against the Vikings for attempts without an interception (57).

Moving back up

Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin is quietly moving back up the league receiving charts after 18 catches for 235 yards in the past two games. Irvin is third in the NFC with 62 receptions and fifth in yardage with 868.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Visit the Star-Telegram on the World Wide Web: www.star-telegram.com.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.