Dallas ventures into unfamiliar territory
By MIKE BALDWIN / The Daily Oklahoman
IRVING, Texas -- Playing in games that don't have playoff
implications is a rarity this decade for the Dallas Cowboys.
For the first time in his eight-year NFL career, running back
Emmitt Smith is playing on a team that has nothing to play for
except pride. Even in 1990, his rookie season, the Cowboys had
an outside chance to reach the playoffs even though they were
7-8 heading into the finale.
"It really is a big shock, a big surprise," Smith
said. "Myself personally, I had high expectations for this
ballclub. ... Not to be able to get in the playoffs for the first
time in seven years is definitely disappointing. Being in this
position is a new experience for me and many others."
There are only eight players left on the roster who experienced
the 1-15 disaster in 1989.
"It's disappointing," said safety Brock Marion.
"In my five years we've never been in this position. It's
kind of tough to swallow that. When I came in as a rookie (in
1993), we were going to a Super Bowl; the next year it was the
(NFC) championship game, then another Super Bowl. The only thing
we know here is winning."
That's the very reason it's been difficult to accept a season
in which they've lost seven of their last 10 games. This is a
franchise that has won three Super Bowls in the past six seasons
and finished 11-5 or better five consecutive years before going
10-6 last year.
"It's embarrassing because at times it looks like we
don't know what we're doing," Smith said. "At times
we played like ... garbage. There's no other way to put it."
Since they played like "garbage" when they had a
shot at reaching the playoffs, how will the Cowboys (6-8) respond
to playing in two games that are virtually meaningless?
"We're supposed to be professionals," said quarterback
Troy Aikman. "It's different from the standpoint nothing
is riding on it ... but I would be disappointed if we still did
not go out and give great effort."
Since nothing is riding on it, several young players such
as fullback Nicky Sualua, defensive tackle Darren Benson and
tight end David LaFleur will play more in the final two games.
"We can either be 6-10 or 8-8," said veteran tackle
Tony Casillas. "It's just a matter of us going out there
and executing, and I think everybody will. A lot of the younger
guys will have an opportunity to play with a lot of jobs on the
line."
The Cowboys play at Cincinnati on Sunday and are home against
the Giants Dec. 21.
The Bengals, 5-9, have a worse record, but Cincinnati has
won four of its last six games. The Bengals actually have some
momentum now that 36-year-old quarterback Boomer Esiason and
rookie running back Corey Dillon have become starters.
"Cincinnati has more of a psychological edge than we
do because they've obviously been in this situation more than
this team has," said coach Barry Switzer. "They've
been in this situation where they're not playing for anything
and they're at home. But we're preparing to go win this football
game."
Players talked of playing for pride. Whether there's much
carryover from one season to the next, especially when you're
a non-playoff team, is debatable. Smith, though, believes a .500
finish would be beneficial.
"I think the players understand that it's important to
end on a positive note," Smith said. "This year has
looked bad, but if we end on a positive note, then you have something
to look forward to next year, something to build on."
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
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