Thursday, December 12, 1996

Randall Godfrey's big play ability

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / Associated Press (Dec. 12, 1996)

IRVING - Randall Godfrey was having fun as a rookie special teams player on a Super Bowl championship team.

All he had to do was hit somebody. No responsibilities. Just a little controlled violence.

Then a month ago linebacker coach Jim Bates came to him and said: "Be ready this week. You're starting next Monday night against the Green Bay Packers."

The Packers? On national television. Godfrey could scarcely believe his ears.

"It was something I had been preparing for," said the second-round draft pick from Georgia. "But it was kind of a scary way to break into the NFL on Monday night football with everybody watching you. Sure I was a little nervous, I guess anybody would be. I had been doing most of my hitting on special teams."

Godfrey's switch to starting strongside linebacker came because starter Broderick Thomas was moved to pass-rushing end to replace Charles Haley, who had season-ending back surgery.

Godfrey, a 6-foot-2, 237-pounder who has 4.5 speed, is the only rookie in the Dallas Cowboys' starting lineup and only the fifth since 1992 to make the starting squad. The rest of the team has Super Bowl-savvy veterans in the top 22.

"I kept telling Randall he had to be ready," said defensive coordinator Dave Campo. "Rookies have to break into the NFL much quicker now. They can't sit around and learn the game like they used to because of free agency. Randall has done a good job. He still has a lot to learn but he has great athletic ability."

Godfrey missed four games his senior season at Georgia because of hamstring problems, which might account for his availability as the 49th player taken in the NFL draft.

"A few teams may have backed off," Godfrey said. "But the Cowboys didn't. It was great for me to come to a team on top."

Godfrey has big play ability and he showed it in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

He caught swift Leeland McElroy of the Cardinals from behind and poked the ball out of his arms. Deion Sanders recovered the fumble and the Cowboys went on to score the decisive points in the much-needed victory.

"I hadn't done much in the game so I figured I had to do something," Godfrey said. "I didn't think I could catch McElroy but somehow I did."

And nobody thought Godfrey would be starting for the Cowboys this year, either.