Monday, January 6, 1997

Cowboys end in a tight spot with replacement end

By Gerry Fraley / The Dallas Morning News (Jan. 6, 1997)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (KRT) - The Cowboys tried one more time Sunday to involve the tight end in the goal-line offense. Their efforts reminded them of just how much they missed tight end Jay Novacek this season.

Replacement tight end Eric Bjornson twice failed to make what would have been touchdown receptions. Bjornson's inability to make the plays - and the chain-reaction problems his misplays caused for the entire offense - prominently figured in the Cowboys' 26-17 loss to Carolina in an NFC playoff game Sunday at Ericsson Stadium.

The Cowboys had four possessions inside the Panthers 20-yard line. Their return on those possessions: 15 points on one touchdown and three field goals. It was the final pratfall in the Cowboys' season-long failure to take advantage of scoring opportunities.

"The same old story we had all year long," coach Barry Switzer said. "We get the ball in scoring position and can't make touchdowns."

Much of the blame this time fell squarely on Bjornson. He vanished from the post-game scene, leaving others to explain his difficulty.

Switzer volunteered before the game that Bjornson had lost leg drive during the time he missed because of ankle injuries. On each play in this game, Bjornson lacked the drive to pull away from a defender.

On a second-and-goal from the Carolina 1-yard line in the first quarter, Bjornson was about a half-step behind quarterback Troy Aikman's throw and dropped the ball in the end zone. The scenario repeated itself in the fourth quarter, when the Cowboys could not get a touchdown from a first-and-goal at the Carolina 9.

Switzer and offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese agreed that from their perspective, each pass could have been caught.

"You've got to make the plays," Switzer said. "It's as simple as that."

Carolina tight end Wesley Walls did make the plays. A wide-open Walls caught a one-yard pass for the Panthers' first touchdown.

Bjornson had three touchdown receptions for the entire season. Novacek, out this year because of a back injury, had six touchdown catches in the 1995 season.

Because Bjornson caused less concern for defenses near the goal, they could add an extra defender against the run.

The Cowboys' aging offensive line could not handle that burden. Against Carolina, running back Emmitt Smith had only five yards on seven carries inside the Carolina 20.

"The absence of Jay Novacek was a factor," Smith said. "But I'm not looking for excuses. No matter who's on the field, we had plenty of chances."