December 25, 1998

Replacing Pittman a 4-man job

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas -- Quick. How many players does it take to replace Cowboys defensive end Kavika Pittman?

Cowboys coach Chan Gailey says the total is four. And growing.

With Pittman out the next three to five weeks with a strained hamstring, the Cowboys plan to rotate at least four players at his rush-end position. Rookie fourth-round draft pick Michael Myers will get the start against the Washington Redskins on Sunday night.

He will be backed up by veteran lineman Hurvin McCormack on regular downs. On obvious passing downs, defensive tackle Leon Lett and strongside linebacker Randall Godfrey will see time at the primary pass-rush position. Defensive end Antonio Anderson also might play.

The defensive end-by-committee strategy is just another of the Cowboys' continuing efforts to revive their lethargic pass rush, though Gailey said the Cowboys have done a much better job lately of getting to the quarterback. He said Pittman will be missed because he was a big part of it.

"Even though we are not getting sacks and don't have tangible evidence, I feel we were getting around the passer better," Gailey said. "Kavika was doing a good job. Any time you lose a player like Pittman with speed on the field, that's going to impact your defense."

Pittman, who leads the team with six sacks, could return for a possible second-round playoff game. Until then, the Cowboys are counting on Myers, an unassuming former Alabama player, to shoulder a bulk of the load.

"He's done a good job of spelling Kavika and now will get more time playing for us," defensive line coach Jim Bates said. "He will play on all run downs and be involved in some third downs. His production has been real good when he's been out there. He makes plays."

Bates said the regular-season finale against the Redskins gives the Cowboys a chance to take a look at Myers over a prolonged period, considering the rookie will likely get the start in the first-round playoff game next week.

The quiet and soft-spoken Myers said he has prepared himself all season to be ready when called upon and is excited about the opportunity.

However, he said he's not nervous.

"I was nervous when I first got here," Myers said. "Now, I'm just trying to do my job as well as I can and help the team out."

Considering his tumultuous senior season in college last year, anything that has do with playing in a game is far from a tense situation.

After playing two games for the Crimson Tide last season, the NCAA suspended Myers for violating NCAA rules by making contact with an agent. Not only did it take Myers away from the game, but it cost him dearly on draft day.

A possible first-round pick before the season, Myers fell to the Cowboys in the fourth round. Myers, who called the time away lonely and boring, doesn't like to talk much about the situation.

"I've put it behind and looked forward to the future," Myers said. "I made a mistake. But I didn't get depressed. I know I had a chance to play in the NFL and that Alabama wasn't going to be the end of my career."

Myers primarily played tackle in college, and it was his quick first step, which reminded the Cowboys of Lett, that prompted them to select the 6-foot-2, 275-pounder.

"He was a playmaker coming out of college," Bates said. "That's one thing he showed on the college tape. He was always very active."

The Cowboys still project Myers' future to be at tackle. They moved him to defensive end to strengthen the position where Myers could succeed because of his quickness and his size.

"It has not been natural for him," Gailey said. "He's a natural inside player, who has done a good job playing end. He still has that quickness and a very good understanding about football."

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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