Tuesday, October 1, 1996

Sanders takes lead as momentum-maker
By Mike Kern
Knight-Ridder Newspapers
(Oct. 1, 1996)

PHILADELPHIA (KRT) - Deion Sanders never got the chance to dance.

It was about the only thing he didn't do in the Cowboys' 23-19 win Monday night at Veterans Stadium.

The versatile one caught three passes for 55 yards. The first, a 39-yarder over cornerback Troy Vincent, got the Cowboys out of a second-and-22 canyon from their 14. Six plays later, Dallas scored its second touchdown to pull ahead, 14-10, at 8:28 of the second quarter.

On the Eagles' ensuing series, Sanders intercepted a Rodney Peete pass to set up a field goal that extended the Cowboys' lead to seven. It was one of the few times the Eagles threw in his direction.
In the third period, he made a tough, 6-yard reception coming across the middle, on a third-and-5 from the Birds' 29. Five plays later, Chris Boniol kicked his third field goal to increase the Cowboys' advantage to 23-17.

On the Eagles' next drive, Sanders, playing cornerback, drew an illegal use of hands penalty against Eagles wideout Irving Fryar that wiped out a 4-yard reception at the Birds' 34.

He even got the ball once on a reverse, but the play was brought back because of a clipping penalty against Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman.

For most guys, it would have been a career performance.

For Sanders, it's just another game.

With apologies to Chuck Bednarik, there's a reason Neon makes all those Nike commercials. He plays as loud as he talks.

And this was obviously a good time to talk. The Cowboys had avoided a 1-4 start, on the road, before a national television audience, against a team it probably must beat to win the NFC East.

But Sanders, who was hobbling noticeably in the locker room, doesn't speak until he's showered and dressed.

"Don't you know that, man," he said matter-of-factly. Newspaper deadlines being what they are, his effort will have to suffice. But at least he dissed unaware reporters with a smile.

If Sanders doesn't make the first catch, the Cowboys might never complete their comeback. Sanders doesn't just make plays. He makes the ones that make a difference.

Following a bye this week, Dallas gets back suspended wide receiver Michael Irvin. So maybe the load will lessen for Deion. Or perhaps it will increase, because defenses will now have to figure out a way to stop Irvin, too.

The Eagles had a chance to bury the defending Super Bowl champions. They might not get another. The Cowboys' next two games are at Texas Stadium, against the Cardinals and Falcons. Yes, the middle of the schedule is wicked, with trips to Miami and San Francisco and home games against the Birds and Green Bay. But by then Dallas could have some momentum.
Monday night, Sanders was the momentum-maker.

"This one was about respect, and who we are," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said.
Added Aikman: "This was big, but without taking anything away from it, this is only as big as we make it.

"I've never quite understood all the talk leading up to a game. That's why you play. We're still the world champs, until somebody proves otherwise."

Choreograph that.

(c) 1996, Philadelphia Daily News. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

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