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Sunday, December 21, 1997

Jason Garrett still waiting for first snap

By Bart Hubbuch / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING, Texas -- Three years removed from his legend-making Thanksgiving performance, Jason Garrett hasn't taken a single snap at quarterback for the Cowboys this season.

Coach Barry Switzer isn't promising that will change Sunday, either, even though the Cowboys are 6-9 and home for the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

The Cowboys will keep Garrett on the 45-man roster for the season finale against the New York Giants, but Switzer said there is no formal plan to play him.

"We've talked about getting him in there, but you go in trying to win the ballgame," Switzer said. "If Troy Aikman has to play 59 minutes to win it, then we'll do that."

Garrett's complete disappearance this season has been puzzling, especially since the perennial pre-season fan favorite signed a three-year contract last spring that included $100,000 in guaranteed money.

Garrett, who earned a spot in team lore on Thanksgiving Day 1994 by leading the Cowboys to a comeback victory over Green Bay, could not unseat 17-year veteran Wade Wilson for the No. 2 job in training camp and has watched all 15 games from the sidelines.

The Cowboys' backup situation at quarterback apparently is under review. Wilson is signed through 1998 but said Friday he isn't sure if he will retire or if the Cowboys even want him back. Garrett, meanwhile, had a lengthy, one-on-one meeting Wednesday with owner Jerry Jones.

Cowboys not afraid

Barry Switzer mocked the New York Giants after being told that defensive end Michael Strahan said they would run up the score Sunday as payback for numerous beatings by Dallas in recent years.

Switzer scoffed, noting that the Giants have the NFL's 28th-ranked offense. "They think they have the firepower to do what we did to them? Who have they been doing it to?" he asked. "They've been winning with good defense."

Playing Santa

Troy Aikman handed out Christmas gifts to his teammates Friday. As usual, they were lavish.

The quarterback was especially generous to the offensive linemen, whose gift package included luggage, champagne and a round-trip plane ticket. This despite the fact that Aikman has been sacked 31 times -- the most since 1991.

"He sure knows how to make a guy feel guilty," guard Nate Newton said, laughing. "I'm sorry, Troy."

Emmitt Smith's gift to his teammates? A case of soft drinks, although he promised more presents are on the way.

Briefly ...

Backup safety Singor Mobley, formerly of the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos, has played in 11 games. He is one of just three ex-CFL players to spend the entire year with an NFL team. "That just points out our lack of depth," coach Barry Switzer said. ... Nate Newton, whose return in 1998 is in question, will have shoulder surgery after the season.

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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