Monday, August 19, 1996

NFC East Preview: Cowboys anxious to get race under way
By BARRY WILNER
Associated Press
(August 19, 1996)

Opening day. Thank goodness.

No team is more grateful for the rapid approach of the NFL season than the Dallas Cowboys. What should have been a celebratory offseason has been marred by all kinds of woes, most notably Michael Irvin's arrest and subsequent five-game suspension under the NFL's drug policy.

When the Cowboys got to training camp, they were minus Super Bowl starters Larry Brown (the MVP with two interceptions), Russell Maryland, Dixon Edwards and Robert Jones from the defense. Injuries this summer have further depleted their depth.

The latest - a sprained left knee that hit Pro Bowl running back Emmitt Smith on Saturday - could prove the most devastating. The team was waiting to learn late Sunday the results of an MRI that would tell if Smith must be sidelined.

Even if that works out well, the Cowboys have problems.

In fact, their best defensive player, Deion Sanders, is concentrating more on playing wideout than shutting down receivers. If tight end Jay Novacek's back remains balky, Sanders and inconsistent Kevin Williams will be the only experienced pass-catchers - if you can call Deion experienced.

"We have no depth at all," said coach Barry Switzer. "This team will have less depth than any returning Super Bowl champion the Cowboys have had. That's the facts of life because of the salary cap.

"We are the thinnest team in football right now."

Not quite. And with Smith, Troy Aikman, Nate Newton and Erik Williams on offense, plus Sanders, Darrin Smith, Charles Haley and Darren Woodson on defense, the Cowboys remain the best team in a mediocre division.

And they remain among the favorites to win the NFC title, which nowadays also means taking the Super Bowl.

"I don't care about all the things that happened," said Packers star Reggie White. "To get to the Super Bowl, we still have to go through Dallas."

Going through the Dallas defense might be easier with all the defections - particularly if Sanders puts in significant time on offense and the other cornerback, Kevin Smith is hampered in his return from a torn Achilles tendon. The Cowboys were ninth in defense last season, and the guys they lost were important players.

Can Fred Strickland and Broderick Thomas contribute anywhere near what Edwards and Jones did at linebacker? Will Chad Hennings be as effective as a starter as he was relieving DT Maryland?

"We have a lot of ifs," Switzer admits.

Not when Dallas gives the ball to Emmitt, though. If healthy, look for the NFL's most productive - and richest - running back to threaten all of his previous career bests. It's not unfathomable for Smith to rush for close to 2,000 yards. Or score 30 TDs. Or catch 70 passes.

It's also not asking too much for Aikman to be All-Pro. He's in his prime, seems more comfortable with Switzer (and without Jimmy Johnson) and is good enough to turn Kevin Williams and Sanders into top-notch receivers by the time Irvin returns.

Dallas doesn't get a break in its schedule and must do without Irvin against Chicago, Indianapolis, Buffalo and Philadelphia - all winning teams a year ago. Only the Colts game is at home.

But the stretch run, which includes games with the Giants, Cardinals, Patriots and two vs. the Redskins, should allow the Cowboys to put away another division title.

Only the Eagles appear capable of chasing Dallas in the NFC East, and they aren't likely to get another gift from Switzer this year. Washington is making strides, but isn't ready to move up so far. Arizona and New York are pitiful.

Philadelphia was an impressive 10-6 despite being outscored by 20 points. Another 10-6 record might lift the Eagles past the Cowboys.

For a team coming off a nice season, the Eagles made lots of changes. Look for Ty Detmer to push Rodney Peete at quarterback, with Irving Fryar the prime target after incumbents Calvin Williams and Fred Barnett left.

Also watch for even more emphasis on running, with a healthy Kevin Turner at fullback leading Ricky Watters and Charlie Garner, both of whom are capable of 1,000-yard seasons.

Uncertainty on the offensive line could unhinge the attack, particularly if former 49ers tackle Steve Wallace has nothing left.

Philly has suffered in the secondary, where Eric Allen, then Mark McMillian left in successive years for New Orleans. Coach Ray Rhodes expects to weather those losses after the signing of CB Troy Vincent and with the expected development of Bobby Taylor, who had a fine rookie season.

The big-time playmakers are linebacker William Howard and linemen William Fuller and Andy Harmon. The most potential is carried by end Mike Mamula.

Washington could be the most improved team in the league and still finish at .500. Considering where the Redskins were when Norv Turner took over, that's not so bad.

Defensively, Washington needed major upgrading. Dealing for tackle Sean Gilbert should help, particularly against the run. Washington ranked 29th last year against the rush.

Mainly, players acquired a year ago need to produce more. Safety Stanley Richard and linebackers Marvcus Patton and Rod Stephens certainly cost enough.

Ken Harvey is one of the best outside LBs around, and Darrell Green still seems to have plenty left at cornerback.

Terry Allen not only wasn't washed up. He rushed for 1,000 yards in '95. Henry Ellard gained 1,000 on receptions, and is tutoring Michael Westbrook. The offensive line isn't Hog-like quite yet, but it's getting there.

Turner has created a problem at quarterback by procrastinating over a starter. To be fair, Heath Shuler keeps getting hurt.

So Turner told Shuler and Gus Frerotte they would have an equal shot at the job this summer.
"When the coach said it was going to be 50-50, I said to myself, 'You've got to step it up to that next level or you'll never get in there,' " Frerotte said. "This is all that I could ask for, to have a 50-50 chance and go out to do my best to win a job."

There's no question who will be at quarterback for the Giants. Dave Brown hasn't done much in his two seasons as a starter, but the Giants re-signed him for four years and $13 million. They might even have found a receiver for him in Amani Toomer, their second-round draft pick.

New York also shelled out $16.45 million for a proven runner, Rodney Hampton. But how much more battering can he take, particularly behind a weak offensive line for which the Giants spent $10 million over five years for Ron Stone? A backup with Dallas, Stone will start at right guard. Maybe the Giants know something the Cowboys don't.

Otherwise, New York still can't figure out how to play the free agency game. Even with Hampton, the Giants spent more than they really needed to - thanks to the 49ers' power play for him - and they didn't replace linebacker Michael Brooks or tackle Jumbo Elliott with anybody comparable.

At least they spent wisely in re-signing their best defender, cornerback Phillippi Sparks. Thomas Randolph, the other cornerback, is promising. That's not a word to apply to many other Giants, except perhaps Mike Strahan at defensive end.

The Cardinals had a strong draft, then couldn't figure out how to sign the rookies. They brought in two useful vets in quarterback Boomer Esiason and tackle Lomas Brown. But that's hardly enough.
Esiason is used to bad offensive lines, which is what he gets in Arizona. The defense has some good players - Eric Swann, Eric Hill, Aeneas Williams - new coach Vince Tobin will like.

What he won't like is how bad the Cardinals can be on the ground, offensively and defensively.

LAST YEAR'S FINISH: 1, Dallas (12-4); 2, Philadelphia (10-6); 3, Washington (6-10); 4, New York Giants (5-11); 5, Arizona (4-12).

PREDICTIONS: 1, Dallas (10-6); 2, Philadelphia (10-6); 3. Washington, (8-8); 4, New York (5-11); 5, Arizona (5-11).

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