Thursday, August 29, 1996

Herschel Walker fits with Cowboys once again
By Jean-Jacques Taylor
Dallas Morning News
(August 29, 1996)

(KRT) -- Herschel Walker has been an enigma since the day he announced he was leaving Georgia after his junior season to play in the U.S. Football League.

He has been a good football player who has 15,881 yards in total offense, ranking him fourth all-time in the NFL. But Walker never has reached the superstar level most thought he would.

Walker has returned to the site of his greatest success. Walker, a two-time Pro Bowl performer with the Cowboys who led the NFC in rushing in 1988 with 1,514 yards, signed a free-agent contract in July.

As good as Walker was in 1988, though, the team struggled. So former coach Jimmy Johnson and owner Jerry Jones decided to trade their only asset.

Minnesota acquired Walker in a six-player, 12 draft-pick deal that the Cowboys ultimately turned into Emmitt Smith, Kevin Smith and Darren Woodson. Those three players have been key in turning the Cowboys into a perennial championship team.

Walker finds himself in a unique position as he returns to the Cowboys. He is no longer a savior, but a role player who signed a contract for the NFL minimum of $275,000 to be a backup fullback.

Offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese and special teams coach Joe Avezzano have big plans for Walker. Zampese intends to use Walker in the backfield as well as split wide to take advantage of his speed in matchups against linebackers.

And with the Cowboys' lack of depth at tight because of injuries to Jay Novacek (back), Eric Bjornson (hamstring) and Kendell Watkins (knee), Walker has been getting plenty of work at tight end.

Avezzano said Walker will play on the punt coverage team and provide another option to Kevin Williams on kickoff returns.

"I just want to get on the field and do my thing," Walker said. "I just want to play. You don't find many 34-year-olds that want to play special teams."

Walker, playing with his third team in the past four years, has impressed his teammates with his versatility and his ability to catch the football.

"Herschel is an individual who has made big plays for other teams," running back Emmitt Smith said, "and he can still make plays. Our offense is going to be stronger because of him."

Quarterback Troy Aikman said he has not been surprised by Walker's effectiveness.

"He's doing just what I thought he would," said Aikman, "because he's a quality player who can do a lot of things. I thought he'd be a good addition."

Running backs coach Joe Brodsky has been impressed with Walker's ability to grasp the offense and perform in different roles. The Cowboys, said Brodsky, must figure out a way to get Walker the football.

When Philadelphia gave Walker the ball 270 times in 1992, he responded with a 1,000-yard season. He rushed only 31 times but caught 31 passes for the New York Giants last season.

"One of the problems with Herschel has been that he has so much talent and he's so versatile that you move him around and put him in a lot of spots, but you don't get him the ball," Brodsky said.
"I don't make those decisions, but I'd like to see him get his hands on the football."

Walker won't get many carries in this offense, but judging from the way he was used in practice during training camp, Zampese will get him the ball through the air. After all, he does have 491 career receptions.

"Some people don't understand it, but I had multiple roles when I first came to Dallas," Walker said. "I played tight end and fullback and receiver."

(c) 1996, Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

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