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Switzer orders two-a-day practices to remedy problems

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight-Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Bye weeks are supposed to be filled with banter and light workouts, especially when they come after a victory.

But thanks to an error-filled performance Monday night in which the Cowboys escaped with a 21-20 victory against the Eagles, hard work and guarded concern are the featured ingredients for the Cowboys this week at Valley Ranch training complex.

The Cowboys (2-1), are tied for first place in the NFC East with the Washington Redskins and don't play again until a Sept. 28 matchup with the Chicago Bears at Texas Stadium.

But Cowboys coach Barry Switzer brought a training-camp feel back to the proceedings this week, reinstituting two-a-day workouts for Thursday. The team had been scheduled to have a 90-minute workout.

Switzer said Wednesday that the move was prompted by problems in three areas: offense inside the 20-yard line; an inability to pass protect against the blitz in the last two games; and defensive struggles in the two-minute drill against the Eagles.

"I've had a chance to look at the tape and see what we need to emphasize," said Switzer, whose serious disposition contrasted sharply with the carefree attitude he displayed toward those same issues a day earlier.

"We need to practice twice to work on those areas."

Switzer's announcement of two practices prompted no gripes from players.

"I don't think anybody objects to it," Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman said. "We are not in position to object to it. If that's what Barry wants to do and it's going to make us better, everyone is open to that. I'm glad he did it."

Receiver Michael Irvin, saying that the players realize they are a bobbled snap from being 1-2 instead of 2-1, said he shares Switzer's concern. The Cowboys secured the victory against the Eagles when Philadelphia holder Tommy Hutton dropped the ball on a game-winning field-goal attempt with four seconds left.

"It's a good thing we escaped the way we escaped," Irvin said. "But the great thing about this team is when Barry said that, not one guy made a complaint. It's a time for us to start worrying about the things we need to work on, get them worked on and get it done because we're all trying to get somewhere."

Topping the list of concerns is the Cowboys' problems with the blitz. Switzer said the team "nearly lost two games" because of the blitz.

Arizona's use of it keyed a 25-22 victory against the Cowboys two weeks ago. Philadelphia's blitz resulted in two fumbles by Aikman after sacks, which the Eagles turned into 10 points and a 17-3 halftime advantage.

"We've got to work on pass protection," Switzer said. "We got to get the right hat on the right people. If we protect the quarterback, we got a chance to win."

Typifying the team's problems inside the 20 is the fact that the Cowboys have scored just one offensive touchdown and kicked 10 field goals the last two games. Switzer said field goals are not enough.

"We got to score when we are in that area, touchdowns," he said. "We got to work it and we got to emphasize it. There are no magic plays. We got to execute the plays we got."

To improve the team's scoring efficiency, Switzer adjusted how the team practices. He is pitting the first-team offense against the first-team defense, meaning that Aikman and Irvin will work against cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith rather than reserves Wendell Davis, Kevin Mathis and Kenny Wheaton.

"You got to work good against good," Switzer said. "Sometimes that's discouraging for the offense when you line Deion on your receivers. But it's better than going against guys that aren't of the competition that you've got to play against on Sundays."

The Cowboys realized they might have some problems in their two-minute defense Monday night. After the Cowboys scored to take the lead with 51 seconds remaining, the Eagles easily drove 80 yards in 47 seconds to set up the potential winning field goal attempt before Hutton's bobble.

The Cowboys had similar problems against the Cardinals. Arizona used a late rally to tie the score at the end of regulation before winning in overtime. Heat and fatigue were considered the culprits.

Now the Cowboys are searching inside for answers. Switzer said the problem wasn't with the scheme but with how the defense reacted in the situation.

Safety Darren Woodson said he agrees.

"You can't fault the coaches. You have to fault the players," Woodson said. "The calls were right. We just had a mental lapse (in the last 51 seconds of the Eagles game)."

As a result, the Cowboys are adjusting how they work on the two-minute defense in practice.

"Normally when the offense scores, (the two-minute drill work) ends," Switzer said. "The defense doesn't get much out of it. But we got to line up in a panic mode (on defense) in practice. We got to emphasize that."

(c) 1997, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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