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Sunday, December 21, 1997

Finale with Giants may be last for Barry Switzer

By Bart Hubbuch / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING, Texas -- Let the speculation really (at)begin . . .

Barry Switzer's future as coach of the Cowboys has been a hot topic since training camp, but the rumors, whispers and innuendo should start blazing once Dallas finally closes its ugliest season in almost a decade Sunday.

Considering the circumstances, the season finale against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium is merely an afterthought. The Cowboys are 6-9 and out of the playoffs for the first time since 1990, while the worst-to-first Giants already have clinched the NFC East title and a home playoff game.

That leaves the fate of the beleaguered Switzer as the main story line. It's a story line that owner Jerry Jones hinted could drag on until January or February before a decision is made.

"You're assuming there will be some announcement, but that may be a wrong assumption," Jones said Wednesday. "I don't want to make that a given."

Switzer, 60, who has clinched his first losing season in 20 years as a college and NFL coach, remains seemingly unfazed by the swirl of speculation that he will retire or be removed by Jones after the Cowboys face the Giants.

"I'm not affected by it one bit," said Switzer, who has hinted himself at a potential consultant's role with the Cowboys if Jones decides to replace him as coach. "It doesn't bother me, and it doesn't upset me."

Whatever happens with Switzer, Sunday likely will mark the final appearance at Texas Stadium for a host of Cowboys players and assistant coaches. Jones and his front-office staff already have had several lengthy meetings to discuss the April draft and personnel decisions involving the current roster.

Among those on the bubble are safety Bill Bates and offensive tackle Mark Tuinei, both 15-year veterans.

Bates would like to return for a 16th season so he can break Ed "Too Tall" Jones' club record for games played, but the Cowboys are making no promises. Tuinei, meanwhile, hasn't played since Oct. 13, and his career appears over because of recent knee surgery.

As for the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese says he isn't optimistic about his chances of returning after overseeing two of the worst one-season offensive performances in Cowboys history.

Zampese's unit, 24th a year ago, is ranked No. 19 in the league in total offense and needs two rushing touchdowns Sunday to avoid club-record futility. The Cowboys have just five rushing touchdowns, one shy of the team's all-time low of six each in 1960 and '61.

If, as expected, Zampese doesn't return, several other changes in the offensive staff are expected after Sunday's game.

"We have to do some things differently," Jones said.

As for the game itself, the Cowboys would be better served in the long run by losing for the fifth consecutive time. A 6-10 record would ensure Dallas a top-10 draft pick in April and give the Cowboys a fourth-place schedule next season. The reward for a third-place schedule? Another trip to Green Bay in 1998.

But those are topics for another day. When it comes to the Cowboys, Sunday and every day until a decision is -- or isn't -- made by Jones will be consumed by talk of Switzer.

"There's only one guy who can answer that for you, and that would be Jerry Jones," Switzer said of his coaching future. "I haven't pulled the trigger yet. He's got the gun, but I might take it from him."

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(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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