[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Thursday, December 11, 1997

Cowboys might rely on backups

By Jean-Jacques Taylor / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS -- Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday he's more interested in playing for pride than the future in the Cowboys' last two games.

Jones said starters hampered by injuries will have their playing time limited, but, otherwise, it will be business as usual. Jones said the Cowboys will not devote their final two games to determine whether some of their inexperienced backups can contribute in expanded roles next season.

"We want to win these last two games," Jones said. "It's important that we win and set the tone for next season. We have some injuries, so we'll be playing a lot of young players anyway.

"We played Sherman Williams on Monday because we had to, and we'll have some other players in similar situations the rest of this season."

Coach Barry Switzer said he wants to play to win and also give some backups extended playing time.

"We owe it to our fans. We owe it to the organization, and we owe it to Jerry Jones to continue to play hard and play well. These guys have a lot of pride," Switzer said. "We're going to play some young players, but we're going to play some people that are healthy."

Switzer, the only NFL coach ever to win a post-season game in each of his first three seasons, said he doesn't want to turn the last two games into glorified scrimmages.

It's more important, he said, to determine if players like fullback Nicky Sualua, defensive tackle Darren Benson and defensive end Kavika Pittman can be solid contributors.

Switzer, though, said he still wants to win the last two games. The Cowboys can still make the playoffs with an 8-8 record, but it would take a minor miracle.

Switzer said he and the coaching staff discussed personnel moves Monday pertaining to Sunday's game against Cincinnati, but he declined to discuss those conversations.

If Switzer rests his injured starters, the Cowboys will have a radically different look from the team that began training camp with three Super Bowl victories in the past five seasons.

Dallas, which has scored two touchdowns or less in 10 of 14 games, has most of its injuries on offense.

Left guard Nate Newton (knee), tackle Erik Williams (knee), tight end Eric Bjornson (leg) and running back Emmitt Smith (shoulder) all are hurt.

For Sunday's game against Cincinnati, the Cowboys could start George Hegamin at left guard, rookie Tony Hutson at right tackle, first-round pick David LaFleur at tight end and three-year veteran Sherman Williams at running back.

Switzer also suggested Sualua, drafted for his blocking ability, will replace Herschel Walker at fullback.

Players such as third-round pick Steve Scifres, who has spent most of the past few weeks practicing at guard and has played sparingly, and Stepfret Williams could receive additional playing time.

Williams, tied with quarterback Troy Aikman for the team lead with five fumbles, played well after replacing Smith in the first quarter of Monday's 23-13 loss to Carolina.

Smith played only two series before leaving with a bruised left shoulder he originally injured against Tennessee on Thanksgiving Day.

Williams gained 75 yards on 19 carries and caught three passes for 33 yards as he surpassed 100 total yards for the first time in his career. More important, he protected the ball. Williams had fumbled three times in the previous two games.

Switzer said Smith, who needs 34 yards to gain 1,000 yards for the seventh consecutive season, probably will play sparingly the rest of the season.

"Sherman played pretty good," Switzer said. "His quickness was evident and he's a physical and tough player, although he busted a few assignments. I've always been a fan of Sherman and he'll get a lot of work the next two weeks."

On defense, Switzer said Benson and Pittman are the most intriguing players.

At 6-7 and 308 pounds, Benson is one of the Cowboys' largest -- and most unproductive -- players.

Benson, a third-round pick in the 1995 supplemental draft, has been inactive nine times this season despite Leon Lett being suspended for the first 13 games.

Benson has earned $95,000 for each of his five tackles in his first two seasons.

The Cowboys passed on former University of Texas' pass-rushing defensive end Tony Brackens in the 1996 draft and selected Pittman with the 37th pick.

Brackens has 14 career sacks, while Pittman has six career tackles and no sacks.

Pittman has one tackle in limited playing time this season. With veteran Tony Tolbert's knees bothering him, it's time for Dallas to see if he can rush the passer.

Cornerback Kevin Mathis will continue to start for Deion Sanders, who has a broken rib. Safeties Omar Stoutmire and Charlie Williams should see considerable playing time, especially since strong safety Darren Woodson has been bothered by knee and shoulder injuries much of the season.

"We're playing a team that has a hot quarterback in a cold town and we have to prepare to handle them," Switzer said. "Yeah, we're out of it but people like Darren Benson and Kavika Pittman need to play."

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at http://www.dallasnews.com/

Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.