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Monday, August 25, 1997

Barry Switzer pronounces Cowboys ready to play

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight-Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Cowboys coach Barry Switzer bid farewell and good riddance to preseason football Saturday.

After accomplishing what the team hoped and more in a 34-10 rout of the Tennessee Oilers in the exhibition finale Friday night, Switzer declared the Cowboys ready for the regular season and next Sunday's opener at Pittsburgh.

"We are ready to play a game," Switzer said. "We don't have to play any more preseason games. We are ready to play."

Switzer went against form and had many regulars, such as running back Emmitt Smith, play in the last preseason game because he was disappointed in the way the team played in the 34-31 victory the previous week against the St. Louis Rams. Switzer said the Oilers may not be as strong as Pittsburgh, but he saw enough to be excited.

The Cowboys dominated in nearly every phase of the game - especially the first-team offense, which scored 10 points and probably could have scored more if not for a fumble by rookie tight end David LaFleur.

"We were more focused," Switzer said. "(Quarterback) Troy (Aikman) was. (Receiver) Michael (Irvin) was. Everybody that came out of the chute was more focused. If we don't have that fumble on the reception, I think we are going to score three times in a row real quick."

Switzer was also encouraged to see receiver Anthony Miller get on the field in a Cowboys uniform for the first time. He only began practicing again a few days ago after being sidelined the past two weeks by a bone bruise on his right knee sustained in his only practice during at training camp. He missed the first two weeks of training camp recovering from arthroscopic surgery he had on the same knee in June.

Miller caught one pass in the game for 15 yards and induced a pass-interference penalty on Oilers cornerback Anthony Dorsett, who was badly beaten on a streak route.

"Anthony showed his speed," Switzer said. "When you run behind Dorsett, who runs a 4.3 (in the 40-yard dash), you've got speed. And he (Anthony) still has it."

Other offensive issues that excite Switzer going into the Pittsburgh game are the prospects of left tackle Mark Tuinei and left guard Nate Newton. Tuinei had been struggling to come back from off-season surgery to repair a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee. But he played well against the Oilers, and Switzer said he was fit for the season opener.

Newton, who has been sidelined the past two weeks with a sore right heel, plans to return to practice Sunday.

"Those things excite me," Switzer said. "I feel good (about Pittsburgh), especially if Nate is back."

The search for a kicker and punter has also seemingly been called off, after strong performances by punter Toby Gowin and kicker Richie Cunningham against the Oilers.

Gowin, who came into game averaging less than 35 yards per punt during the preseason, averaged 49.5 yards on three kicks, including a 59-yarder. Cunningham was 2-for-3 on field-goal attempts, hitting from 23 and 51 yards and missing from 53 yards.

"I felt like the guys (Gowin and Cunningham) got some confidence," Switzer said. "They improved. I feel good about our kicking game."

The Cowboys will announce seven cuts Sunday to reacg the 53-man roster. Several players, such as defensive linemen Leonard Renfro and Hurvin McCormack, will be sweating out the final moves.

One player who came in as a long shot but can probably begin his roster-making celebration is rookie free-agent cornerback Kevin Mathis. Switzer said the Gainesville native and Texas A&M-Commerce product has earned a job as the team's fourth cornerback behind starters Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith and top backup Wendell Davis.

Mathis, who also has outstanding speed, will likely return punts against Pittsburgh if Sanders can't go.

"Mathis is a good free-agent cornerback," Switzer said. "To come in and play like he has is a gift. We are not afraid (to let him return punts) against Pittsburgh."

Switzer said he was disappointed with the $7,500 fine the NFL levied against defensive tackle Chad Hennings for a hit on Rams quarterback Tony Banks on Aug. 15 that did not draw a penalty.

"I thought he may be (fined)," Switzer said. "But it was unintentional. It wasn't malicious."

(c) 1997, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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