Friday, August 23, 1996
 Tight Situation at Tight End
By DENNE H. FREEMAN
AP Sports Writer
(August 23, 1996)
IRVING, Texas (AP) - Barry Switzer has put out an all-points
bulletin for a healthy tight end. It has become a jinxed position
for the Super Bowl champions.
It all started down Mexico way in a preseason game at Monterrey
when Kendall Watkins, a tremendous blocker, caught a short pass
and turned upfield. The second year player out of Mississippi
State suffered a season-ending knee injury when he was tackled
by several Kansas City Chiefs.
"Kendall did a tremendous job as a blocker his rookie season,"
said Switzer. "He helped Emmitt Smith get some tough yards."
So much for a blocker. How about one of the league's best receivers,
Jay Novacek?
Not only has Novacek failed to play in the preseason, but there
are deep concerns he may miss the first two or three games of
the regular season - or possibly the entire season - because
of a degenerative back condition.
Switzer said "we're resigned to not having Jay for the opener
and there's no guarantee he can play this year."
The 33-year-old Novacek, who has made the Pro Bowl five times,
caught 62 passes for a career-high 705 yards last year. He's
the Cowboys' career leader in receptions by a tight end with
339.
Novacek is one of Troy Aikman's favorite targets, particularly
on third down.
Enter Eric Bjornson, a well-regarded prospect out of Washington
who was hampered by injuries last year.
Bjornson caught Aikman's eye last year.
"He runs great routes and has great hands," Aikman
said.
Only one problem. Bjornson has been hampered by hamstring problems.
He hasn't played in a preseason game in three weeks.
"It's very frustrating," Bjornson said. "Right
now I'm hoping to be ready for the opener (Sept. 2 in Chicago).
I think I will be."
Bjornson won't play Saturday in Orlando, Fla., when the Cowboys
meet the Houston Oilers in the exhibition season finale.
The Cowboys, who have about $275,000 remaining under the salary
cap - the NFL minimum salary for a veteran - have been making
inquiries about free agent Johnny Mitchell, a former New York
Jet who signed with Miami as a free agent, then quit the Miami
Dolphins training camp after one practice.
Dallas has only one healthy tight end on the roster, Derek Ware,
a five-year NFL veteran known more for his blocking than his
catching.
The Cowboys could put fullback Daryl Johnston at tight end in
a pinch. He has played that position in several preseason games.
But his replacement at fullback, Herschel Walker, can't block
like Johnston, a Pro Bowl fullback.
"It's a tough situation," Switzer said. "Luckily
we still have time to work through the problem."
All content copyright 1996, AP, The Abilene
Reporter-News and Reporter OnLine
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