[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Wednesday, November 19, 1997

Packing for Green Bay no easy task

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

and Bart Hubbuch

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - Equipment manager Mike McCord said Tuesday the Cowboys plan to pack about 3,000 more pounds of gear than usual to combat Green Bay's infamous weather.

That means the chartered airplane that carries the players, members of the Cowboys' organization and radio and television media will be stuffed.

"There may not be room for all of the TV cameras, and we've told the players not to pack any extra bags," McCord said with a laugh. "The plane is going to be full, especially on the way back because we don't have time to pack the trunks as tight."

The Cowboys are 7-8 in their 37-year history and 2-1 this decade in games where the temperature is 30 degrees or colder. Weather forecasts call for temperatures between 23 and 33 degrees, but no snow.

Still, McCord said he's preparing for the worst.

The Cowboys will pack thick sweatshirts for the coaches to wear over their turtleneck sweaters and stadium parkas for those players on the sideline. Players also will have a choice of several different gloves and the usual assortment of thermal garments.

"It's really not too bad," said McCord, "because going to Green Bay is just like traveling to Philadelphia or New York or Washington late in the season, so we have all of the stuff on hand."

X X X

HUTSON IMPRESSES IN FIRST START

Tackle Tony Hutson said he wasn't surprised by his performance Sunday in his first NFL start.

But he did surprise Coach Barry Switzer after allowing only two quarterback pressures and one hit on Troy Aikman in 70 plays.

"I thought he would get embarrassed, but he didn't," Switzer said. "He played a terrific game."

Hutson, whom his teammates say has a mean streak, said he was pleased with his performance but has much room for improvement.

"It was good just to get out on the field and see for myself how I could do," Hutson said. "At the end of the game, I knew I could play in the NFL."

X X X

JONES DISAGREES WITH TURNER

Jerry Jones dismissed Washington Coach Norv Turner's contention that Jones should have been penalized Sunday for stepping on the field in the second half to protest a call.

"If anyone believes that my presence on the sidelines had a bearing on the outcome of Sunday's game, then I'm flattered," Jones said. "But we all know that wasn't the case. I do, however, understand Norv's frustration."

The NFL has no rules regarding where an owner can stand on the sidelines, and the league said it has no plans to fine Jones.

X X X

AIKMAN STAYS OUT OF COLD

Troy Aikman shivers at the memory of how close he was to becoming a Green Bay Packer in the 1989 draft.

The Packers were so sure they would end up with the No. 1 pick that they had then-coach Lindy Infante visit Aikman at UCLA during the 1988 season. But Green Bay won its final game to finish 4-12, allowing 3-13 Dallas to grab Aikman with the top spot.

"Things worked out best for everybody," Aikman said. "It's best that I came here to Dallas, because I can't play in that cold weather for long."

X X X

THE RETURN OF EMMITT SMITH

Somewhat overlooked amid the dramatic comeback Sunday and the Cowboys' two-game winning streak has been the play of Emmitt Smith.

The Cowboys running back, his career virtually left for dead a month ago, has 163 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries the past two weeks (a 4.5-yard average). He also contributed the crucial two-point conversion against Washington on a pass play Dallas had not run all season.

"Emmitt's played very well the past couple of games," Coach Barry Switzer said. "This is the time of year that championships are won. If we're going to get there, we need Emmitt to play at the level he has the past two weeks."

X X X

SWITZER STANDS BY DECISION

Barry Switzer still defends his decision in the final seconds of Dallas' 21-6 win over Green Bay last season to allow ex-kicker Chris Boniol tie the NFL single-game record with his seventh field goal.

The move started a brief brawl between the two teams in front of the Cowboys' sideline.

"The Packers didn't understand and most people didn't understand what we were trying to do," Switzer said Tuesday. "As I said last year, if we had scored any touchdowns, I wouldn't have done it. But Chris Boniol was the only one who scored, and he had a chance to tie an NFL record.

"If Troy Aikman or Emmitt Smith needed a touchdown to tie an NFL record, nothing would have been said about it. But an insignificant player was significant that night. I gave him a chance to do something that sure means a lot to him and his family."

X X X

COWBOYS RETURN TO CAFE

The Cowboys Cafe is off owner Jerry Jones' list of banned establishments, and the players have quickly returned.

Jones, during the off-season, banned the players from the restaurant and bar, which is about a mile from the team's Valley Ranch training facility. Players were threatened with a $10,000 fine for conduct detrimental to the team.

Players like the cafe because autographs are not allowed and they can mingle with fans.

X X X

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at http://www.dallasnews.com/

Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.