Tuesday, December 17, 1996

To rest or play, that is the question

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer (Dec. 17, 1996)

IRVING, Texas (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys own another division title, leaving coach Barry Switzer with a problem.

With a meaningless game against Washington in the regular-season finale, does he rest the stars on his punchless offense or does he give them some much-needed fine tuning?

Switzer was playing it coy Monday.

"We're going to try to win the game," he said. "Obviously, we're going to hold out a few players who can't play. Some players need rest."

Mark down running back Emmitt Smith, tight end Eric Bjornson, offensive tackle Mark Tuinei and safety Bill Bates as unlikely participants against the Redskins on Sunday in the final game at RFK Stadium.

"Emmitt had his best game against the Patriots," Switzer said. "He made runs like the Emmitt we know."

For the first time since 1991, the defending Super Bowl champions don't have a bye in the first round. They will play the third-seeded wild-card team, Philadelphia or Minnesota, on Dec. 28 or 29.

After the Cowboys' division-clinching 12-6 win over New England on Sunday, Switzer said he would treat the Washington game as "bye week." He was backtracking Monday, saying the Cowboys will go all out.

"We don't want to make an issue of who's not going to play," he said. "We'll practice all week and see on Sunday. We'd like to play well and win. That helps your momentum."

Switzer said on Sunday that Smith, hampered all season by injuries, would get rest.

Tuinei reinjured his right knee in the first half of the New England game and was limping around the dressing room Monday.

"I'd like to take the week off," Tuinei said.

Bjornson has been at half speed since he sprained both ankles three weeks ago.

Quarterback Troy Aikman said determining who plays is a difficult decision.

"You don't want to risk injury and you want to go into the first round of the playoffs rested," Aikman said. "But offensively we'd like to put something together prior to going into the playoffs."

Fullback Daryl Johnston said Switzer needs to rest as many players as he can.

"We're a drained team physically and emotionally," Johnston said. "I'm not sure how much confidence you can gain in just one week. You do want to go into the playoffs feeling good about how you're playing. It's difficult to find the correct balance."

Johnston said the Cowboys won't play a half-hearted game against the Redskins, who have been knocked out of the playoffs despite a 7-1 start.

"There's no such thing as a meaningless game in the NFL," he said. "You walk out on the field and pride takes over."