Coakley sheds doubts, rookie tag Experience equals confidence The most obvious thing for Dexter Coakley heading into the 1998 NFL season is that his name on the roster no longer has an ominous "R" under the heading of NFL experience. "I'm a little more comfortable with what we're doing than I was last year," said the second-year linebacker from Appalachian State. He thought for a few seconds and added, "Make that, a lot more comfortable." Ditto for linebackers coach Jim Bates, defensive coordinator Dave Campo and new head coach Chan Gailey. Save for a sophomore jinx or an injury, everyone in the Cowboys' organization expects good things from Coakley this year, including Dexter. Last year's third-round pick played the outside linebacker spot with speed and discipline, and grew stronger with each game. "The difference between this year and last year is unbelievable," said Coakley. "I still have to go out and prove it, but right now I'm reacting in practice almost like it's second nature. When I came in as a rookie, I knew I could be a special teams player. But I was lost in the beginning. I didn't know a whole lot." The tough 5-foot-10-inch, 215-pound linebacker knew enough to register 136 tackles, including a team high 10 for losses, on the way to an outstanding rookie season. Had the Cowboys been better than 6-10, Coakley might have won enough support for Rookie of the Year honors. His 136 tackles led all NFL rookies. "Under the circumstances," he said, "it was as good a year as I could have hoped for. Especially for not knowing any more than I did. Right now (during the Cowboys' final mini-camp at Valley Ranch) I'm seeing things I didn't have a clue about at the beginning of last year. It's hard to imagine a year could make so much difference but it is. "I'm looking forward to camp and to the regular season," he added. Coakley waved off the notion that the heat in Wichita Falls might take its toll on the Cowboys. "I know it will be hot in Wichita Falls," he said. "But it's hot here, and it was hot in Austin last year. When it's already 100, a couple of degrees higher or lower really doesn't matter. We'll be focused, and we'll handle the weather." But can Dallas handle the NFC East? Street & Smith's, the pro football magazine, picked the Cowboys next to the bottom in the NFC East, behind Arizona, Washington and the New York Giants. Only the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to fall upon worse times than Dallas. Although the offense may be filled with questions, defensively the Cowboys look to be as solid as their No. 2 ranking a year ago. Despite the apparent loss of Tony Tolbert, Leon Lett is back at his tackle spot. The secondary appears solid, and the linebackers may be better than a year ago. At least they should be deeper. However, heading into Camp Wichita Falls, there is a big "IF" or two that will make for interesting competition and answer several questions Campo and Gailey may have about the strength of the Cowboys' linebacking corps. For example, fifth-round pick Darren Hambrick of South Carolina has the tools to be a Coakley-type. At 6 feet 2 inches, 216, Dallas hopes he will be able to backup Randall Godfrey, the excellent third-year outside linebacker from Georgia. Hambrick started his career at Florida and his 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash makes him an interesting prospect, even as the 130th pick in the draft. Finding a backup, or a contender, for Coakley at the other outside spot is another "IF" Dallas must deal with during the weeks ahead. Vinson Smith is an unrestricted free agent and could retire, go elsewhere or resign with the Cowboys. The biggest "IF," however, is in the middle where Fred Strickland is penciled in as the starter. The 11-year veteran from Purdue has been slowed by injuries and is coming off a so-so year. Speculation is that if Hambrick is able to come through on the outside, Godfrey could possibly move to the middle, giving the Cowboys better speed at the position. Nate Hemsley, a second-year linebacker from Syracuse, is back to provide depth in the middle and both outside spots. "We have a lot of young guys to look at," Gailey said, "and some of them are going to have to step up and play. Coaches never feel like they have enough time, but that's especially true when you're working on new things and with young players. But we'll get it done." Campo, now in his ninth year with the Cowboys, has never been at a loss for self-motivation, but he appears to be especially geared for the '98 task. "We have a lot to do," he said, "but I feel good about this group. For one thing, getting Leon (Lett) back is a tremendous plus. Greg (Ellis) is young, but he is going to be a good football player. It looks like we'll have some depth, but we'll also be pretty young." |
Dexter Coakley |
