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Wednesday, August 20, 1997

Cowboys' new strength coach quick to gain respect of players

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - When Joe Juraszek accepted Barry Switzer's offer to become the Cowboys' new strength coach, he said he knew some players would resent him. Many of them had built strong bonds with Mike Woicik, who was fired from the job after the season.

Juraszek said he considered the offer for a day before deciding to accept the challenge.

"You always hear about how much pro football is a business and that you can't affect the pros, but obviously Mike had affected these guys and they were attached to him," Juraszek said. "It told me that if I worked hard, maybe I could build the same type of relationship with the players."

Juraszek met Switzer at the University of Oklahoma, where he worked as a graduate assistant and assistant strength coach from 1981-86. Juraszek returned to Oklahoma as strength coach for four seasons before replacing Woicik, widely respected as one of the NFL's best strength coaches.

Woicik had gained the trust of star players like Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin during his seven years with the team. But Woicik had alienated many players and some coaches with his dour personality.

He also had a poor relationship with Switzer, highlighted when he berated the head coach on the sideline during the Cowboys' 21-6 win over Green Bay. He was upset that the Cowboys were allowing Chris Boniol to kick an NFL record-tying seventh field goal in the waning moments of a lopsided game.

When Woicik was fired, several players, including Aikman, Daryl Johnston and Chad Hennings, voiced concerns that the Cowboys would suffer without him.

The Cowboys wanted a strength coach who was demanding in the weight room but who could get along with players and coaches.

Juraszek, who has the enthusiasm of a salesman and appears to always be in a good mood, seems to be that guy.

Aikman, Irvin and Smith will be in shape regardless of who's running the conditioning program. The Cowboys needed a strength coach who could reach those less dedicated to an off-season program.

"Mike did a good job," Juraszek said. "He had a different personality from mine, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it grew into a personality conflict with the head coach."

Juraszek said he knew the players would challenge him. They didn't disappoint him.They questioned drills and techniques. Every time, Juraszek supplied an answer.

"The intensity at this level is so great that you have to be prepared or they will run you over," he said. "Professional athletes have zero tolerance when they're working. They want everything you have to give, and in return they will give the same to you.

"The answer isn't always immediate. If they showed up in July and they weren't in shape, then they would have had the right to question what we're doing."

Though disappointed when Woicik was fired, Smith said he quickly bonded with Juraszek, who often met the Pro Bowl running back at 5:30 a.m. for workouts.

"Juraszek came in with some new ideas and a new system, and it has worked out pretty well," Smith said. "Juraszek's been a big plus because he's a great guy."

Johnston said he was concerned the Cowboys would have trouble replacing Woicik, whom he had worked with during his college football days at Syracuse.

A few conversations with Juraszek, though, eased his mind.

"After I talked to Joe and understood his philosophy, then I knew we weren't going to have any problems," Johnston said. "The good thing is that I have been able to take the best from Mike's program, combine it with Joe's program and come out with something really good together."

Juraszek said his first conversation with Irvin was typical of the way Cowboys stars have treated him.

"I told Michael, 'I don't know if you like me, but if you work with me, we'll get it done,' " he said. "Now, I think we have a healthy respect for each other."

Running backs coach Joe Brodsky said the transition has been smooth. The proof, he said, was the players' participation in the off-season program.

"I don't want to knock Mike, because he had one way to do things," Brodsky said. "And maybe it has nothing to do with the Woicik thing, but we had the best off-season work by the team in a long time."

Juraszek has had an especially positive effect on two players: Darren Benson and Broderick Thomas, who hadn't been serious about weight training.

"Darren has come a long way, and now we're trying to push him to work past his tolerance level," Juraszek said of Benson, a third-year defensive tackle "I've had to use a subtle, slow and easy approach with him. He understands I'm here to help him, because he has an opportunity to be very successful."

Thomas, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round draft pick in 1989, always has had disdain for the weight room. He spent the first eight years of his career at linebacker, but he will play defensive end this season. He needs more bulk and strength to play on the defensive line.

"I told Broderick he had all of the skills to be a great player," Juraszek said. "He just needed to get stronger. He bought into it, and he has had great success in the off-season."

Juraszek said he has kept many of Woicik's drills, but has incorporated some of his own designed to improve lateral movement and put pressure on the ankles and knees. The idea is to strengthen those joints and ligaments.

Juraszek said he spent the past 16 years preparing for what he calls the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Everybody tells me what a great organization this is because all 30 teams aren't like this," Juraszek said. "Jerry (Jones, the Cowboys' owner) gives us an opportunity to be successful, and if I fail, then it's my fault."

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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