Switzer says Cowboys not overconfident for
Bears
By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Barry Switzer says the Dallas Cowboys
won't be lulled into overconfidence by being 14-point favorites
over the winless Chicago Bears.
"Book it, we're not going to be flat," the Dallas
coach said on Tuesday. "We'll be ready to play."
The Cowboys (2-1) normally have trouble in games when they
are big favorites. In their last game they were nine-point picks
over Philadelphia and won only because the Eagles botched a field
goal attempt on the final play.
Dallas needed a 60-yard touchdown pass from Troy Aikman to
Kelvin Martin in the final minute to beat Atlanta 32-28 last
year when the Cowboys were two-touchdown favorites.
"At this level, if you don't play good you can get beat,"
Switzer said.
The Cowboys used their off week to work on numerous team malfunctions,
including blocking the blitz. They also feel former Dallas coach
Dave Wannstedt will unload his bag of exotic tricks trying to
get his Bears a win.
"We expect the unexpected," Switzer said. "We'll
be looking for fake field goals, onside kicks, desperate things
by a desperate team. We have to be prepared mentally for the
unexpected. This ball game could make their season. It's a wounded,
desperate Chicago Bears team that will play us. This game will
be tougher than our fans want."
Last year, Chicago beat Dallas 22-6 in the opening game of
the season at Soldier Field.
Switzer all but conceded that defensive tackle Chad Hennings
won't be available Sunday in Texas Stadium because of a groin
injury suffered in the first quarter of the 21-20 win over the
Eagles.
"I'm concerned about Chad," Switzer said. "If
he is not 100 percent we won't suit him up. We'd probably bring
on Darren Benson. We can't just suit up three tackles, go into
the ball game, and lose him (Hennings) on the first series."
Switzer said he expected guard Larry Allen to shake off his
hamstring injury and hopes Fred Strickland can return to middle
linebacker after missing a game with a sprained right knee.
"It's a big key for us to get our defense back into a
solid unit," Switzer said. "The bye week helped our
injury situation and it looks like we'll have Allen because of
it. As far as Chad is concerned, a groin can become a chronic
injury and it's hard to heal."
|
