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Cowboys running game deserves another look

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - Before you buy into the theory Emmitt Smith and his offensive line aren't nearly as productive, be forewarned Smith is on pace to rush for 1,577 yards this season.

An in-depth look reveals the Dallas Cowboys running game isn't struggling as much as some have suggested. Granted, the Cowboys haven't been as successful inside the red zone. And Smith has produced only one 100-yard game.

It's a paradox. The holes don't seem to be as huge or as frequent. Smith doesn't appear to be as elusive as he once was. But Smith is averaging 4.1 yards a carry. At his current pace (97.3 yards a game), he will surpass 1,550 yards for only the third time in his career. Is that a slump?

"You guys got too damn comfort able watching me get 150 and 200 yards here and there," Smith said. "That's the damn problem."

Smith's perspective has merit. Expectations are exceedingly high when you're a four-time NFL rushing champion.

"Everybody wants to single out the Cowboys because we're quote, unquote the high-profile team in the National Football League," Smith said. "We set the standard. I don't wear an S on my chest even though people around here think I do."

One variable often ignored is the Cowboys have faced Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, two of the top run defenses in the league.

"I'm not worried about the running game. That will come in time," said offensive line coach Hudson Houck. "Our top two goals right now are to make sure we handle blitzes correctly and not make any mistakes and score in the red zone. The running game is going to be there. We'll get better as time goes on."

Critics point out the offensive line is aging and Smith has compiled 2,406 carries in a little more than seven seasons. Smith is only 28, but that's more carries than O.J. Simpson had in 11 seasons.

"If we had beaten Arizona every body would have talked about the rushing game and no one would be concerned about it," said coach Barry Switzer. "But when it goes for naught, and you lose the football game, we rushed the ball extremely well in that game."

The primary reason some have suggested Smith is slipping is he averaged a career-low 3.7 yards a carry last season and was held to 2.7 yards a carry in the opener, 3.3 against Philadelphia.

"But it was 6.9 against Arizona," Switzer said. "It's too early to tell. You have to look at the overall picture, how you do over a full season."

The one stat that separates Smith from all running backs is touchdowns. Since his 108 rushing touchdowns rank third all-time be hind Marcus Allen (113) and Walter Payton (110), Smith will soon have the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history.

But Smith has failed to reach the end zone in the first three games, which matches the longest single-season drought of his career. Defensive tackle Chad Hennings has more touchdowns than Smith.

"Now, that right there bothers me," Smith quipped, breaking into a smile.

That's the biggest concern - that the ground attack has been ineffective in the red zone.

"If you really look at it, people are having problems getting in," Houck said. "Some games you're able to run a little bit better than other games because of personnel and how they play you. We'd like to lead the league in rushing. If that happened that would be great. It would also be great to lead the league in passing. What we're striving for is balance."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)