Friday, December 13, 1996

Smith snubbed in Pro Bowl voting

By the Associated Press (Dec. 13, 1996) ... See Complete Pro Bowl List

DALLAS (AP) - Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith made an annual trip to Hawaii to play in the Pro Bowl after each of his first six seasons in the NFL. This time, the game will go on without him.

The Cowboys landed a league-high nine spots on the NFC Pro Bowl team released on Thursday, including four of the offensive linemen who block for Smith - guards Larry Allen and Nate Newton, tackle Erik Williams and center Ray Donaldson.

But Dallas has had a sub-par running game this season, 19th in the league in rushing offense entering this Sunday's home game against the New England Patriots.

"I'm just not one of the best backs this year, I guess," Smith said. "I'm not that surprised. I kind of expected it. That's the way it goes. I'm glad some of my linemen did make it. For me, it means I've got to work a lot harder in the off-season."

The Cowboys are sending four starters: Allen and Williams on offense, end Tony Tolbert and cornerback Deion Sanders on defense.

Quarterback Troy Aikman's sixth selection ties him with Roger Staubach for the most Pro Bowl trips by a quarterback in Cowboys history.

Donaldson was voted in last season in his first year with the Cowboys, but was unable to play in the Pro Bowl after suffering a broken ankle in the regular season.

Allen's selection came as no surprise. He has been the Cowboys best blocker this season.

"Larry is such a dominant force," said Newton, who was picked for the sixth time. "We could be 1-15 and Larry would still go because he is the best offensive lineman in the game at this time."

On defense, strong safety Darren Woodson was selected as a reserve. Tolbert, who already has a career-high 12 sacks, makes his first appearance and Sanders was elected for the fifth time, first with the Cowboys.

Jim Schwantz also made the NFC squad for the first time as the special teams representative. Schwantz joins teammate Bill Bates as the only Dallas players to earn a Pro Bowl appearance for special teams.

"It was a shock," said Schwantz, whose big hits on the Cowboys coverage units have earned him national recognition. "I felt a little lightheaded and felt like I might faint. I'm very excited."

The Cowboys sent an NFC-record 11 players to the Pro Bowl in 1993 and 1994, then had 10 representatives last season. Dallas' 41 Pro Bowlers over the last four seasons are the most ever in the NFL over a four-year span. The next-highest total was 38 by the Miami Dolphins from 1971-74.