[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Monday, December 8, 1997

Cowboys' Kevin Mathis: little man, big target

By DENNE H. FREEMAN

Associated Press

IRVING - The smallest Cowboy could be the biggest target for the Carolina Panthers.

Dallas and Carolina play Monday night in what amounts to a playoff-elimination game, and rookie Kevin Mathis - all of 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds - will be replacing Deion Sanders at right cornerback for the Cowboys.

Both teams are 6-7 and can't afford any slips. A loss just about dooms either team to watching the playoffs from home.

Carolina knocked Dallas out of the NFL playoffs in January with a win in divisional play but since then both teams have fallen on hard times.

Going with a rookie at corner is another indignity for the Cowboys. Mathis also will take over punt return duties for Sanders, who fractured a rib in the Cowboys' 27-14 loss to Tennessee on Thanksgiving Day.

"I think Carolina will probably pick on him," said Dallas coach Barry Switzer. "He is the shortest guy out there. Put big receivers on him and there could be a problem."

Mathis, a free agent pickup from Texas A&M-Commerce, makes up for his lack of size with grit.

"He showed us something in training camp," Switzer said. "He does have big shoes to fill but he's a tremendous athlete, kind of like Darrell Green at Washington and he's a great special teams player. He's talented but inexperienced. We know he'll play hard."

Mathis logged time against the Oilers but had a case of rookie nerves. He dropped a ball for what should have been an interception and had poor judgment when he tried to field a ball inside the 10-yard line.

Special teams coach Joe Avezzano said he isn't worried about Mathis, who has sprinter's speed.

"He'll do well," Avezzano said. "He's a very instinctive player. He's very fast. Blink an eye and he's gone. He showed enough in training camp for us to know we had to have him on the team."

Mathis said he went to Sanders' house to see for himself how badly Deion was hurt.

"That put some pressure on me when I saw him," Mathis said. "I have to look at this like it's just another game. I know I'm not the starter. I'm just filling in."

While the smallest Cowboy will finally get his first NFL start, the Dallas defense will be bolstered by the return of one of its biggest players, 6-foot-6, 300-pound Leon Lett.

"We lose Deion but we get back Leon and (strong safety) Darren Woodson so maybe that will even things out," Switzer said. "We need a stronger pass rush now with Deion out. Usually, we don't have to worry about the side of the field where Deion is. But we will against Carolina with Mathis rushed into starting."

Mathis said he knows the ball will be coming his way.

"Carolina will test me," Mathis said. "But that gives me a chance to make plays. It's not like I'll be surprised when I see the ball come my way."