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Thursday, April 17, 1997

Jones' plans for Cowboys draft a secret

By DENNE H. FREEMAN

Associated Press

IRVING - It was Friday of Masters week and Dallas coach Barry Switzer and personnel director Larry Lacewell were relaxing.

If they felt any immediate pressure to restock the depleted Cowboys talent larder it wasn't discernible in their faces as they followed Tiger Woods around.

Woods didn't play wide receiver for Stanford so the Cowboys weren't about to get any help in that department.

They were all smiles when asked about the upcoming draft. They couldn't say much more because of the strict gag order issued by owner Jerry Jones, who decided he didn't want any secrets finding their way to the ears of NFL enemies.

This will be the first year in Cowboys history that they haven't had a pre-draft press briefing. Jones commissioned himself with the responsibility of talking to the media.

"I can't say anything about it," Jones said. "This could be a critical year for us."

Not until Saturday can the lips of assistants be unsealed.

Pressed about the matter, Lacewell coyly drew his finger across his lips like they were zipped close.

"One would assume the Cowboys could use a wide receiver, a linebacker, an offensive lineman, help in the secondary and, of course, kickers to replace punter John Jett and placekicker Chris Boniol," a questioner said.

"You may assume all of the above," Lacewell responded.

Indeed, the Cowboys are talented but depth shy. They can use help in just about every area.

They've already signed free agent kickers Richie Cunningham, Danny Kight and Marshall Young seeking a replacement for Boniol.

Dallas scouts took quarterback Troy Aikman on one of their forays to see if he saw any receivers he liked. Aikman threw to some receivers one day in California, then tackled Pebble Beach where he and Lacewell won a few bets off unsuspecting opponents.

Did Aikman find anything he liked?

"Yes," was all Lacewell would say.

The Cowboys, once again, are drafting down in the pecking order at No. 25.

The last two years they traded out of the first round and saved money against the salary cap. They also passed over some talent they could have used.

This year, Jones' plans are something of a mystery. The Cowboys are up against a hard place with the salary cap and don't have that much money to pay draft picks.

Dallas does need a receiver to help take the heat off Michael Irvin.

The Cowboys drafted Stepfret Williams last year and he wasn't much help. He wasn't a disciplined route runner and his hands left something to be desired.

Deion Sanders was a bust as a receiver, catching only one touchdown pass and driving Aikman to distraction with his poor routes.

Sanders will be only used as a spot receiver this year because he'll miss training camp as he tries to revive his baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds. Aikman would love to have Alvin Harper back if he gets cut by Tampa Bay.

Look for the Cowboys to sign a veteran receiver if they can't find one in the draft.

They also will have to sign another linebacker because of the possible losses of Darrin Smith and Jim Schwantz to free agency.