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Saturday, December 20, 1997

Zampsese expects to lose job as Cowboys' offensive coordinator

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese expects to lose his job because of the team's poor performance the past two seasons.

"Someone always is held accountable when you lose," Zampese said Thursday. "I'm the offensive coordinator, and it's my responsibility to get guys to play and to score touchdowns.

"We haven't done either one well this year."

Owner Jerry Jones has remained quiet about the status of Zampese and the team's other coaches, including head coach Barry Switzer.

The Cowboys (6-9), out of the playoffs for the first time since 1990, face the New York Giants Sunday in a meaningless season finale.

Zampese realizes the Cowboys' dismal numbers on offense this season are very telling.

The team is 19th in total offense and will finish in the bottom half of the NFL's offensive rankings for only the fourth time since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. That's despite an offense that includes 10 players with Pro Bowl experience.

The Cowboys finished 24th in total offense last season and could finish 20th or worse again this year. The only other similar two-year slump in franchise history came in 1989-90 when they finished 27th and 28th under coordinator David Shula.

The team has scored one touchdown or less in nine of 15 games this season.

"It's very frustrating because my expectations were so high," Zampese said. "I thought we'd do enough things offensively to win the Super Bowl."

The Cowboys will have a new offensive philosophy in 1998, Switzer said.

Zampese has a contract with the Cowboys through next season, but doesn't sound like he expects to return.

"Jerry is going to base his decision on what he thinks needs to be done, not on how many years I have left on my contract," Zampese said.