Johnston - A Modest Cowboy: What a Concept! | By TED DUNNAM

....Daryl Johnston is about as unsung of a hero on a football team as one can be. He's probably not even a household name in his own household.
...."I guess about the only other guy that would be more unsung," Johnston said, "would be the deep snapper."
....Dale Hellestrae, no doubt, would agree with that.
....Johnston was in town Thursday to speak at the Abilene Christian Schools' Community Dinner at the Abilene Civic Center. The Dallas Cowboys fullback is one of the few constants on an ever-changing team.
....The only thing that hasn't really changed is the Cowboys' success during the past four seasons.
...."I think the '92 team was probably the best," Johnston said of the three Super Bowl champion squads. "Obviously, we've had good teams since then, but with the players and coaching staff we had, I would have to say that was the best.
...."I think if we had been able to keep all of those players and coaches, it would have been a very real possibility that we could have won four straight Super Bowls."
....Johnston, whose role allows him to avoid the limelight and glitterati afforded to some of his more famous teammates, said playing for second-year head coach Barry Switzer is definitely a change from playing for Jimmy Johnson.
...."It's a lot more relaxed playing for Coach Switzer," Johnston said. "Jimmy always ran a very tight ship, and you didn't feel all that secure. You were always thinking 'Gosh, if I make a mistake am I going to be with this team tomorrow?'
...."But I can't say that I really have a preference of playing for one over the other."
....Johnston says Switzer has gained the respect of himself and his teammates.
...."Barry went through the same thing that Jimmy had to go through," Johnston said. "I don't think anyone on our team ever disrespected Coach Switzer. It's just when you make the jump from the college level to the NFL you have to prove yourself."
....And even though he's won a Super Bowl, Switzer may not be done convincing his doubters. He may have to beat the Johnson-coached Miami Dolphins next year to increase his legion of fans.
...."For us, I don't think that game will be anything special," Johnson said. "I'm sure the media will hype it pretty big - a Barry versus Jimmy type thing to see who is the better coach.
...."To us, it's just another game on the schedule, but I'm sure there will be a great amount of hype."
Johnston says Dallas has been fortunate to maintain a consistent winning tradition this decade in a system nowadays that doesn't really allow it.
...."We were fortunate to be on that roll before the system changed (free agency, salary cap)," Johnston said. "I don't think you'll ever see something like the Steelers accomplished again. To have a dynasty now is beyond difficult. It's almost impossible.
...."I think it's a credit to our organization that we've been able to maintain our success. People talk about all the key players we've lost - which we have - but we've also lost some great coaches like Jimmy, Dave Wannstedt, Butch Davis and Norv Turner."
....Johnston, who has played all seven of his professional seasons with the Cowboys, said he'd like to end his career in Dallas.
...."I feel very comfortable in Dallas and I love playing with the Cowboys. I'd definitely like to finish my career with Dallas," he said.
....Even if it means having to put up with Randy Galloway?
...."I like Randy a lot, but he went off the deep end a little bit this year," he said. "I think he took everything a little personal. It seems like he had a vendetta. But Randy's OK, I like him a lot."