[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Sunday, August 24, 1997

Cowboys finish preseason on high note

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Troy Aikman is the toughest critic of the Dallas Cowboys offense.

In fact, he blamed himself for the Cowboys finishing 24th in the NFL in offense last year, calling his performance and that of the team "horrible."

So when Aikman says the Cowboys are primed for their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 31, it's heartening for Dallas fans who saw placekicker Chris Boniol score 42 percent of the team's points last season.

"I think the entire ballclub feels good, especially the offense," Aikman said. "The offense is where we want to be for the opener."

The Cowboys ran, passed, punted and placekicked with near perfection in Friday night's 34-10 wipeout of the Tennessee Oilers.

Free agent wide receiver Anthony Miller saw action for the first time and ran a precision route on a 15-yard reception; Emmitt Smith scored a touchdown and ran with abandon; and Richie Cunningham, trying to replace Boniol, nailed a 51-yard field goal. A 53-yarder hit the crossbar.

"It was nice to show we had a lot of different things and make different plays," Aikman said. "We showed a lot of different weapons. We're more prepared going into this season and farther along than last year. We're a good team right now. We had a good camp. Now, it's time to play for real and see where we really are."

Dallas got out of the preseason with a 2-2 record and no critical injuries.

"Our big concern was to stay healthy, and we did that," said Dallas coach Barry Switzer. "It was good against the Oilers to show that Troy, Michael Irvin and Emmitt are all in sync. We have two extra days to prepare for Pittsburgh, so we should be ready to go. "

With Miller and Irvin on the field, the Cowboys showed what a problem they can be for defenders.

"We've got probably the best receiving group we've had since I've been here," Aikman said. "We are deep at tight end. We can run the ball, and if we can't, I feel we can go to the passing games with guys like Michael, and Anthony. Miller gives us a deep threat we haven't had."

Said Miller, who sat out the first three preseason games while a surgically repaired right knee healed: "It's nice to finally get on the same page with Troy. It's very promising."

Smith said the Cowboys had a much more productive training camp than the one in 1996 where they traveled all the time.

"I'm a lot happier with how training camp went," Smith said. "I feel like we prepared a lot harder. We did a lot of positive things against the Oilers, and we gained some confidence going into Pittsburgh."

Smith, who played last year with bone chips in his ankle in an injury suffered in an exhibition game, said he is robust and ready.

"I feels great to be healthy entering the season," he said. "I think I can make some things happen this year."

The Cowboys will cut their squad from 60 to 53 on Sunday. They will have their annual welcome home luncheon on Tuesday.