Thursday, December 17, 1998

Cowboys rush to rejuvenate ground game

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys can't run from the reasons they're experiencing a late-season slump -- they're having difficulty establishing and stopping the run.

There is a common theme in Dallas' three- game losing streak: Opponents have won the battle in the trenches. It had less of an impact Thanksgiving Day when Minnesota outrushed the Cowboys 118-58. But the past two weeks Dallas has been outrushed 296-59.

One reason the rushing statistics have been so lopsided is the Cowboys have played catch- up in the second half. Opponents have had more rushing attempts, but they've also averaged 5.0 yards per carry the past three weeks, compared to Dallas' anemic 1.8 output.

Coach Chan Gailey and his staff have spent the past 48 hours reviewing tape of what made them successful in earlier games and compared that to the recent slump. Gailey can't divulge this week's game plan, but promises alterations, possibly personnel changes.

It's no coincidence Dallas was 8-3 when running back Emmitt Smith averaged 4.4 yards a carry and 95.7 yards a game. During the three- game losing streak, Smith has averaged 2.0 yards a carry and 30.7 yards a game. Obviously, the blocking hasn't been as effective, but it's more complicated than that.

"If it was one thing, you'd feel much better about trying to work it out," Gailey said. "You can never sit down in this game and say, 'OK, if we just fix that one little thing then everything will be good.' That's not the way it runs."

When the ground attack bogs down it places more pressure on the passing game. And this is a team that lost wide receiver Ernie Mills to a season-ending abdomen injury and played the second half last week without Michael Irvin.

"It's just vital, especially in the NFC, that we get a running game going," guard Nate Newton said. "That helps keep the pressure off Troy (Aikman). We've just got to work harder and concentrate a little better and execute."

Constantly faced with third-and-long situations, the Cowboys have converted only 9 of 27 third-down chances the past two games.

"Any time you're not moving the football or scoring points, there are breakdowns as to why things aren't going as smoothly as you would like," Aikman said. "Its not one particular thing. It's a breakdown here or there at different positions. That stalls drives."

Injuries are a factor. Offensively, tight end David LaFleur suffered a sprained knee in the loss to New Orleans. LaFleur, a key blocker and receiving threat, is doubtful for Sunday's game, but should return for the regular-season finale.

Defensively, the Cowboys have started inexperienced cornerbacks in recent weeks. As a result, strong safety Darren Woodson has been used less to support the run.

This week's opponent, Philadelphia, is 30th in total offense but ranked 14th on the ground behind Duce Staley's 901 yards rushing.

"Our No. 1 goal is to stop the run," Gailey said. "That's something we've got to get back to. Our players realize we've got to get back to stopping the running game and it will be another challenge this week."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)