Friday, September 20, 1996

Smith finds there's nowhere to run
By DENNE H. FREEMAN
Associated Press
(Sept. 20, 1996)

IRVING - Emmitt Smith is all suited out with nowhere to run.

"I look up and see eight-man fronts all the time," said Smith, the NFL's top rusher in four of the past six seasons. "We're not running the ball like we should. I just hope we get it figured out soon."

Smith has only 253 yards in the Dallas Cowboys' first three games, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry. That average ranks him eighth in the league.

"Nothing is a given anymore," Smith said. "Teams are picking up on things we have been successful doing in the past."

The defending Super Bowl champions have stumbled to a 1-2 start because the lack of passing proficiency has put a strain on the running game. Teams are loading up to stop Smith, forcing the Cowboys to the passing game that is missing suspended wide receiver Michael Irvin and injured tight end Jay Novacek.

"Teams are loading up on us," Smith said. "We have to find a way to make them pay."

Complicating the Cowboys' run problems is the fact that Smith isn't running on all cylinders.
"I'm not 100 percent," Smith said. "I still have some things bothering me."

Smith wouldn't get specific, but he still hasn't recovered from a twisted knee suffered in the preseason.

"I'm not used to being this banged up this early in the year," he said.

The Buffalo Bills present Smith's next challenge.

"Buffalo didn't look great against Pittsburgh, but they'll make plays against us," Smith said.

"Everybody plays their best games against us. Even the sorriest team in the NFL gets up for the Cowboys. That's the high standard we have to play to. We almost have to play perfect football to win games."

Offensive lineman Nate Newton said the Cowboys haven't run like they should because the team isn't in what Newton calls "pounding shape."

"Each player has to check himself out and get a sense of urgency," Newton said. "We need to get into pounding shape where we can just pound the ball at other teams and they can't stop it. That's the way we usually run our offense around here."

Smith said he knows the Cowboys eventually will start running the ball better.

"For whatever the reason, we're not running the ball like we used to," Smith said. "But we've still got the guns to do it. It's too early to panic."

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