Wednesday, August 28, 1996

Barry Switzer: Cowboys are still 'team to beat'
By Ed Werder
The Dallas Morning News
(August 28, 1996)

DALLAS (KRT) - Coach Barry Switzer guaranteed trouble early and predicted a trophy late for the Cowboys.

The defending Super Bowl champions are a team of diminished talent because of free-agent defections, injuries and suspensions. While conceding that, Switzer said they should remain competitive despite the offensive limitations caused by wide receiver Michael Irvin's suspension and tight end Jay Novacek's degenerative back condition, both of whom could provide momentum for the rest of the season once they return.

"We believe we're still the best football team," Switzer said from the podium at the team's annual Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday. "We may have to deal with some adversity early. But we understand that, and our football team is probably better prepared to deal with that because it has become a way of life here.

"But we will be the team to beat. We believe that. We will be in New Orleans. I will be there for the Super Bowl. I hope to hell the football team is with me."

The Cowboys confront their first challenge of the regular season Monday night, when they play the Chicago Bears without two Pro Bowl players who rank as Troy Aikman's most dependable receivers. Plus, NFL rushing champion Emmitt Smith and left tackle Mark Tuinei may not be as productive as normal as they attempt to return from knee sprains. Deion Sanders, who could start at wide receiver and cornerback, has a bruised left shoulder. And sack leader Charles Haley almost certainly will play, but could be limited because of continuing back problems.

"We're not as talented as when we finished last year, and, offensively, we're not as good," Aikman said. "You can't lose those types of players and expect to come back and be an improved football team. I still think we're pretty good, and I like this team. But how good we're going to be at the start? We're not going to be as good."

The Cowboys hardly seem as emotionally and physically ready to play the Bears as they were in two previous successful season openers under Switzer. Those Dallas victories, over the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, came by a combined 61-9 score and were the product of overwhelming offensive and defensive performances.

While Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones constructed his team to win with offense, Dallas might initially be a stronger defensive team.

"When we get Michael back and once Jay hopefully improves to where he can contribute," Aikman said, " ... we feel we're going to play pretty good football. I'm excited about seeing how this team competes because, until now, I don't know that we've gotten a real good indication. Our first test is Monday night."

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

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