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Wednesday, August 20, 1997

Cowboys disappointed it's not Miller's time

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Anthony Miller slumps on his dressing room stool wearily answering for the hundredth time why he's missing another practice.

His right knee hurts, that's why, and he has the hangdog look of someone who missed hitting the lottery by one number.

"Frustrating. Very, very frustrating," he says. "But I've got to deal with it. I've just got to make sure it's (the knee) right before I play."

The Dallas Cowboys believed Miller was going to be the playmaker opposite Michael Irvin who would give NFL secondaries the shakes. There would be no more double coverage on Irvin without paying the price.

Miller, a speed receiver who can go deep for the big play, caught 56 passes with Denver last year and he wasn't the primary receiver. He's been to five Pro Bowls. The Cowboys thought it was their free agent steal of the year.

"He's the only disappointment we had in training camp that he couldn't work," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said.

Miller worked one day but pain had him limping when it was over. A recent magnetic resonance imaging of the knee showed only a bone bruise. Doctors had scoped the same knee in June.

"There's no sense risking the knee in the preseason because I sure don't want to have anymore setbacks," Miller said. "It's one of those day-to-day deals. I keep a lot of ice on it. I just hope I'm going to wake up one day and it's not hurting."

While Miller is out, the offense, which was No. 24 in the NFL last year, is hurting.

"It's a big concern to me," said quarterback Troy Aikman. "We signed him in June and I think we've worked together for three days. We need time together. I don't know how he plays. We need as much practice time as we can get. It's a big disappointment."

Miller said where his absence is hurting is the timing on the deep routes.

"Those deep balls, those 9 routes, that's where the timing has to be perfect," Miller said. "I think we can get the regular, shorter routes down quick. I just wish I knew what I was dealing with on this knee thing."

Running back Emmitt Smith said the Cowboys needed Miller to take the double coverage heat off of Irvin and open up the offense for the running game.

"I don't think a defense can cover Irvin and Miller and stop our running game at the same time," Smith said. "That's why we have to get him out on the field."

Miller isn't expected to play in Friday night's final preseason game against the Tennessee Oilers.

So when will it be Miller's time?

The Cowboys wonder and wait.