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Does Dallas's offense need altering?

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - There was a time opposing defenses rarely blitzed the Dallas Cowboys. Those days are over.

Whether age is finally taking its toll or it's as simple as picking up the blitz, the offense is struggling. Minutes after his press conference ended Monday afternoon, coach Barry Switzer erupted into a profanity-laced outburst when asked if the offense needs altering.

Switzer says the offensive slump has nothing to do with the playbook or play-calling. After watching film of the lackluster180-yard performance in a 27-3 win over Chicago, the offensive staff spent Monday morning trying to find answers as to why the offense has slipped to 21st in the league.

"We're all not as young as we were, but we're not as old as we act," running backs coach Joe Brodsky said. "What we've got to do is gather our little wagon together and get better productionwise and make them pay for (blitzing). They paid twice pretty dearly. We'd like for them to pay, but not include Troy (Aikman) in that payment."

In other words, Aikman doesn't need to be sacked three times and hit countless others, which was the case Sunday afternoon at Texaas Stadium. Any team that blitzes is putting itself at risk. If Aikman is given time, it's conducive to a big play.

"Teams used to be scared to blitz us," wide receiver Michael Irvin said. "We'd either run them out of the blitz or throw them out of the blitz. Now they're not scared. ... We've got to get back to smashing people when they blitz us."

Many teams around the league are blitzing and blitzing often.

"When we used to go play Arizona and Buddy Ryan, we'd say, 'Troy, you're going to get hit this week. Expect it. They're going to sell out,' " Switzer said. "That was two games a year. Today we play Buddy Ryan every week. ... It's like Pearl Harbor every week, a surprise attack."

The kamikaze strategy has disrupted the Cowboys' rhythm both running and throwing the football. Adding more outside runs, screen passes or quick-hitting slant passes is an option, but offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese said those plays don't fit the Cowboys' philosophy or personnel.

"I don't think we could have slipped as much as everybody is saying we've slipped the past two years," fullback Daryl Johnston said. "Once we get this corrected, I think we're going to be all right. Fortunately for us, during the time that we've struggled, we've been able to win football games. We could very easily be 1-3 or 2-2 and be looking at the same questions."

Switzer delivered a similar message. Despite the offensive problems, Switzer emphasizes that the Cowboys are 3-1.

"You can't start pointing fingers at each other and say, 'This is the reason why,' " he said. "They've got to stay together. I'd rather have that attitude and say, 'Hey, we're still 3-1.' That's the best record (in the NFC) other than Tampa Bay, and we're going to improve on that."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)