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Friday, April 11, 1997

Kicking coach always has a knack for beating the bushes

By Bart Hubbuch

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - Cowboys' kicking coach Steve Hoffman must beat the bushes once more after kicker Chris Boniol and punter John Jett took the free-agent money in the off-season and ran to Philadelphia and Detroit, respectively.

The Cowboys aren't worried, though, despite having only untested free-agent punter Lonny Calicchio in camp. That's because Hoffman has made a career of turning no-name kickers into names.

But those aren't the only special-teams holes the Cowboys must fill. Jett's departure and Jay Novacek's likely retirement mean Dallas must find a new holder (probably tight end Eric Bjornson, last year's backup), and the return situation is a huge question mark.

Herschel Walker is an unrestricted free agent after returning four kickoffs for 60 yards or more last season, and punt returners Kelvin Martin and Kevin Williams likewise are free.

The Cowboys also have the option of Deion Sanders returning punts and kickoffs - among his specialties until he decided to become a two-way player last year.

The Cowboys have not drafted a kicker or punter since selecting kicker Jeff Ward of Texas in the 11th round in 1987.

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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