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Thursday, November 13, 1997

Zampese blamed for offensive woes

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Ernie Zampese has gone from genius to goat in this season of Dallas Cowboys discontent.

The radio talk shows most often blame the 61-year-old offensive coordinator for the touchdown drought that has befallen the struggling, 5-5 team.

"We're the best team in the NFL between the 20-yard lines," said running back Emmitt Smith. "Inside the 20, we're the worst."

Forget the fact that Zampese directed the offense to a Super Bowl championship only two years ago. Critics say his play calling has grown stale and the Cowboys have become the most predictable team in the NFL.

The Cowboys have had trouble scoring touchdowns for the last two years. Their offense was rated 24th last year and is currently 19th. Dallas is next to last in the NFL this year in red zone (inside the 20-yard line) scoring.

"We've had some injuries in the offensive line and that hasn't helped," Zampese said. "But we can't dramatically change our offense. We have good players. It's just a matter of executing the plays."

The chain-smoking Zampese has been dogged by an alarming number of penalties by the offense at critical times.

"We've had too many mentals down in scoring territory," said Dallas coach Barry Switzer. "That's really hurt us."

Zampese put in some new twists for the Dallas offense in a 24-6 win over Arizona. Dallas went with two tight ends and Troy Aikman spread the ball around to eight different receivers.

"It makes us a better offense when we're able to do that," Aikman said. "We don't want to be predictable. We all know, more times than not, when we throw, the ball has usually gone to Michael Irvin."

Zampese even ordered a flea-flicker. However, the Cowboys couldn't pull it off. Smith was in the game and took a handoff from Aikman and then tossed the ball back to Aikman whose pass was incomplete. Sherman Williams was supposed to be in the game, not Smith.

"I've got a bad hand," Smith said. "I wasn't sure I could even toss the ball back. That play didn't work so good."

Aikman, for the first time this year, wore a wrist band with the plays on it so he could get the plays called faster.

"I think it worked pretty good," Aikman said. "We got out of the huddle a little quicker."

This week Zampese will be watching the Redskins running the offense he taught their head coach, Norv Turner.

"Norv was an excellent student," Zampese said. "He has a tremendous offensive mind."

Turner said anyone criticizing Zampese doesn't know anything about football.

"I just know he's a heckuva coach," Turner said Wednesday from Washington. "If a team loses some games, then the guy calling the plays is going to take some criticism. I know what it was like around here after we lost two in a row."