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Friday, December 19, 1997

Switzer announcement -- if -- won't be next week

By MIKE BALDWIN / The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas -- Even if Sunday's game at Texas Stadium is the final game of Barry Switzer's coaching career, don't look for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to make an announcement next week.

"There may not be any announcements," Jones said Wednesday. "When asked what's your timetable, I'm not responding. I'm just saying you're assuming there's going to be some announcements and that may be a wrong assumption. What announcements means is any proposed changes and I don't want to make that a given."

In other words, Jones is saying there's a chance Switzer may return to coach the Cowboys in 1998. It may be a remote chance, but Jones has declined to elaborate when pressed for a response.

"We may go to the end of February before anything is decided on our staff," Jones said. "We may not even make a statement. It just may become evident on what we plan to do as we look at free agency, attend combines and prepare for the draft."

Dallas will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

The Cowboys public-relations department has been told coaches will essentially be given the week off for the holidays, so the earliest a decision might be announced would be early January.

"I've got to go Christmas shopping," Switzer said. "I live by myself. I've only got a couple of days. I haven't even bought a present yet. I've got to take care of Barbara, my secretary. I've really got to do some things."

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Injury Update

Guard Nate Newton (sprained knee) practiced Wednesday, but cornerback Kevin Smith (back spasms) did not. Both are expected to play Sunday, and guard George Hegamin will play some. There's a possibility Tony Hutson and Steve Scifres may see limited action on the offensive line.

Since cornerback Deion Sanders will not play Sunday and Smith missed practice, Switzer said young cornerbacks like Kevin Mathis, Kenny Wheaton and Wendell Davis could see more playing time.

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Meaningless Game

New York Giants coach Jim Fassel announced he'll play his starters, but will also play some younger players in the regular-season finale. The Giants (9-5-1) have clinched the NFC East title, but will be the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs regardless of Sunday's outcome.

"I've worked very hard at getting this team to play and practice in a rhythm with a consistency and a focus," Fassel said. "I'm not going to waver from that. I am going to play some of the backups ... but my main focus in this game is to play with the same amount of concentration, focus and intensity."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)