[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Thursday, December 11, 1997

Smith won't risk health just to get 1,000-yard season

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Emmitt Smith says he doesn't want to risk his health to pick up the 34 yards he needs to become only the fourth back in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards in seven consecutive seasons.

If the Dallas Cowboys running back can pick up the 34 yards in Dallas' last two games, he would join Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Eric Dickerson with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

"I don't want to feel like I'm hurting the team with my performance, but it would be great to have a thousand yards," said Smith, 28, who has a partially separated left shoulder.

"I don't feel like my talent has diminished - and I'm not just saying that," Smith told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday. "If I believed it, I'd be the first one to go to Jerry and tell him to get rid of me."

Staying healthy is his top priority, Smith said.

He injured his shoulder Thanksgiving Day against Tennessee and aggravated the injury pass-blocking Monday night in the first quarter against Carolina.

Smith was able to practice Wednesday, and coach Barry Switzer said he expects him to play on Sunday against Cincinnati.

But Switzer has said backup Sherman Williams will play quite a bit in the last two games. Switzer suggested Smith's season will end as soon as he gains his 1,000th yard.

Smith, who has missed portions of four games with injuries, has 966 yards on 236 carries, a 4.1 average, and three touchdowns.

This is the fewest number of carries Smith has had since his rookie season, when he carried the ball 241 times.

Smith says the 1997 season has been his most disappointing. He blamed much of the 6-8 record this season on an ineffective offense that has scored two touchdowns or less in 10 of 14 games and ranks 20th in the NFL.

Too many mistakes and too many injuries were to blame for the poor showing, he said.

"It has been embarrassing," he said. "At times, we've played like garbage; there's no other way to put it. Some games it seemed like we were on our way back, but we didn't build upon them."