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Thursday, August 21, 1997

LaFleur's big impact will be blocking, not catching

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - Be forewarned: David LaFleur won't compile huge numbers his rookie season.

LaFleur was the 22nd player taken in this year's draft. It was the first time since 1994 the Dallas Cowboys have selected a player in the first round. One might expect LaFleur to record 40 to 50 catches, but that's not his role.

"I dealt with that even when I was at LSU," LaFleur said. "I never caught many balls there. I like blocking. I take just as much pride in my blocking as I do catching balls. Whatever role they want me to play, that's what I'll do."

The Cowboys primarily will use Eric Bjornson as their pass-catching tight end. LaFleur and Scott Galbraith will have more impact on the running game. Wide receivers Michael Irvin and Anthony Miller will be Troy Aikman's primary targets in addition to Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston.

Don't get the wrong idea. LaFleur has big, soft hands. How big? From the bottom of his palm to the tip of his fingers, LaFleur's hands nearly measure one foot. For now, he's being asked to provide something the Cowboys haven't had in recent years - a legitimate blocking tight end who is a dependable receiver.

"We've always wanted to run strong outside, but we've never done it because we've been undersized," said tight ends coach Robert Ford. "Now we can say, 'Let's just get behind those big guys and run strong.' We like that matchup. I anticipate No. 22 (Emmitt) will take care of the majority of debt."

The Cowboys ran strong outside four times against the St. Louis Rams. Herschel Walker's 13-yard touchdown run came on a power sweep.

"At LSU, that's all we ever did. We ran the sweep, the power stuff," LaFleur said. "Every one talks about the bigger linemen on this level, but there were some big bodies in the SEC. I've got to improve on a lot of things, but I feel very comfortable."

LaFleur, 6-7, 280, caught only 30 passes his senior year, but that led the Tigers in receptions. In time, LaFleur will be a multi-dimensional tight end. For now, he's primarily a blocker who also serves as a receiving threat.

"He's going to be a very good football player," Ford said. "He's talented. He's big. He's very adaptable. When you tell him something, it sticks. He has courage, and he can catch the football. But he still has things to learn, things you can only learn by playing in games."

Expectations for first-round picks are demanding, but the Cowboys like what they've seen.

"It's tough for a rookie to come in and learn a new offense and get accustomed to this level of competition," said quarterback Troy Aikman. "But (LaFleur) is going to have an impact for us this year. He does some things for us at the tight end position, as far as blocking, that we haven't had in quite some time."

The Cowboys eventually will utilize LaFleur's pass-catching talents. During training camp, the Westlake, La., product had a tremendous edge when he was matched against a linebacker or defensive back.

"I'll never tell them, 'No, don't throw me the ball,' " LaFleur said, breaking into a smile. "I'm just going to accept my role. Whatever it takes to get me out on the field and help this team, that's what I'm going to do."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)