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Tuesday, December 23, 1997

End of an era in Dallas?

By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Barry Switzer's days at Valley Ranch appear numbered, with owner Jerry Jones the only one who can say when that number is up.

While the end of the four-year Switzer era appears near, other changes will sweep through the Dallas Cowboys after their most disappointing season since 1989, when Jimmy Johnson was a rookie NFL coach in a 1-15 campaign.

Offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese expects to be fired and several veteran players probably have played their final game as Cowboys.

Dallas dozed through a 20-7 loss to the NFC East champion New York Giants on Sunday to end the season at 6-10. Dallas will have the No. 8 spot in the draft, highest since 1991.

Switzer is 45-26 with the Cowboys, but his teams have been 17-17, including playoff games, since they beat Pittsburgh in the 1996 Super Bowl.

The Cowboys' vast complex was shut down Monday for the holidays. Owner Jerry Jones has said nothing would be done regarding coaching or personnel changes until late January or February.

It is the first time the Cowboys haven't been in the playoffs since 1990.

Jones knows changes have to made, even though it may include the painful dismissal or reassignment of his close friend Switzer.

"I'm not looking at this thing through rose-colored glasses," Jones said. "We have a lot of work to be done."

Switzer himself said his days as coach are probably over.

"I'm not sure I want to come back," Switzer said. "I'll sit down with Jerry and talk about it and then we'll let you know what we decide. There will be a lot of changes."

Switzer said he and Jones have talked about a possible consultant role, but Jones corrected his coach by saying they have never talked. Jones considers Switzer a good evaluator of talent and, besides, Switzer has several years to go on his $1 million per year contract.

Jones is already talking like he and Switzer have had a good run.

'I feel very rewarded that Barry and our team have a Super Bowl ring," Jones said. "This would be very hard to take if that didn't happen."

While Switzer went Christmas shopping, Jones had his own shopping list for players.

Dallas' dynamic trio of quarterback Troy Aikman, wide receiver Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, will return although they all had subpar seasons.

Aikman had 19 touchdown passes, but served up 12 interceptions.

"I'm disappointed with my performance and the team's and I look forward to doing what it takes to get this team back to where it was," Aikman said. "In fact, if we can get things together I'd like to play another six years."

Irvin caught 75 passes for 1,180 yards, but had only nine TD receptions. He spent most of the season being double-covered.

Smith, despite injuries, still managed 1,074 yards behind a banged-up offensive line.

Both Irvin and Smith will return because it would cost too much against the salary cap for Jones to trade them.

Dallas desperately needs a pass-rushing end. Broderick Thomas, Shante Carver and Kavika Pittman were busts this year. Jones could trade up to help the Cowboys' miserable pass rush.

The Cowboys also need offensive linemen. Veteran Mark Tuinei is unlikely to return because of injuries which kept him on the sidelines most of the season. Guard Nate Newton was overweight and injured most of the year. Dallas wants him back, but 40 to 50 pounds lighter.

Dallas must re-sign free agent Larry Allen, who moved from right guard to left tackle late in the season and was most impressive. His free agency price tag could be around $4 million a year.

Wide receiver Anthony Miller is a free agent, but Jones has indicated the Cowboys want to re-sign him.

"I want to come back to the Cowboys and finish what we started," Miller said.

Fullback and kick returner Herschel Walker also may have played his last game for the Cowboys.

"I want to return," Walker said. "I don't want to be like a rat jumping off a ship."

Defensively, 15-year veteran Bill Bates could also be a victim of the salary cap. Bates wants to break the Dallas career record of seasons played, but the Cowboys probably could save $150,000 by going to a younger player.

Free agent safety Brock Marion probably won't be back because he will command a high salary, and the Cowboys don't want to be part of a bidding war because rookie Omar Stoutmire showed promise.

Dallas will be better on the defensive line if tackle Leon Lett stays on his drug rehabilitation program. Lett missed the first 13 games of '97 because of an NFL-mandated suspension.

Broken ribs to Deion Sanders cost the Cowboys his services for the last three games.

A big question mark for the Cowboys is whether fullback Daryl Johnston can return from a herniated disc in his neck.