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Wednesday, August 27, 1997

Cowboys face big test against run-oriented Steelers

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - If the Dallas Cowboys have weaknesses, the Pittsburgh Steelers may be the team to expose them.

Many analysts believe the Cowboys will be vulnerable against the run. They'll find out in the season opener Sunday at Three Rivers Stadium. The Steelers feature one of the league's best ground attacks.

Some have suggested Dallas' run defense will suffer a major dropoff while defensive tackle Leon Lett is suspended the first 13 games. Running the football is the Steelers' forte. Last season, Jerome Bettis was third in the league, with 1,431 rushing yards.

"Their offensive line is as good a unit as we'll face all year," said coach Barry Switzer. "I'm impressed with what they do. This game will come down to how we play the run and be being able to control Bettis."

Dallas defeated Pittsburgh 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX. What is often ignored is the Steelers controlled the ball in the second half to nearly overcome a 13-0 deficit.

"They know we don't have Leon right now so I'm sure they'll run right at us," said All-Pro safety Darren Woodson, who figures to concentrate more on the run than pass coverage. "They'll try to pound us as much as they can. If they establish the run they'll be very hard to stop."

Despite finishing third in total defense last season, defense is the Cowboys' biggest concern heading into the season.

"I think our defense has made big strides," Switzer said. "Our team defensively should be pretty good, especially if we have Deion (Sanders)."

Even though back spasms have pre vented Sanders from playing baseball the past five days, Sanders is expected to play on Sunday. One key, especially early in the season, is how rookies Dexter Coakley, Antonio Anderson and Omar Stoutmire perform.

"This team is making a transition now, and I think it's all positive, I really do," Switzer said. "The nucleus is here because (owner) Jerry (Jones) made the commitment to give us the dollars to have that nucleus. As we inject youth, we view that as a positive because they beat out someone who was here. We've improved ourselves. They just need experience."

It also will be intriguing to see how Dallas' offense fares since Pittsburgh finished second in the league in total defense last season. Emmitt Smith is healthy, and the Cowboys have added five-time Pro Bowl receiver Anthony Miller and rookie tight end David LaFleur. It's feasible Dallas could nearly double last year's 27 touchdowns.

"We're excited," said quarterback Troy Aikman. "I feel good about this team. I like the make-up of this team and the way this team worked throughout training camp. I think we'll play well and play hard."

In addition to occasionally working on Pittsburgh's blitzes during training camp, it's been advantageous for Dallas to have an additional two days to prepare for the Steelers.

"You really get a feel for everything after playing them," said fullback Daryl Johnston. "They blitz you and jump around a lot. They give you a lot of different looks in the front seven. The mental part is very difficult, and they're very physical."

The Steelers will start a rookie cornerback (Chad Scott). Veteran cornerback Donnell Woolford was signed as a free agent. Defensive end Nolan Harrison also is a new starter. Pittsburgh, though, still has one of the league's best linebacking units, headed by Greg Lloyd.

"Their defense really sets the tempo for that football team," Aikman said. "They have an outstanding front seven. Carnell Lake, a teammate of mine in college, is an exceptional athlete. He's the ringleader for them in the secondary. I still think they have a very good group back there ... We'll have to play well to come out with a victory."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)