Thursday, August 20, 1998

Cowboys burglarized during Mexico game

DALLAS (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys' losses weren't confined to the field this week.

The Cowboys reported to the NFL that a burglar stole cash, cell phones and other items from their locker room at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City while the team was on the field losing to New England 21-3 Monday night.

In the burglary, items were stolen from "a handful of players," Leslie Hammond, an NFL spokeswoman, said Wednesday. "It looks like it was a few thousand dollars including cash and credit cards and some electronics."

The Patriots locker room was not targeted, she said. She said NFL security is reviewing the case before referring it to local Mexican authorities.

Meanwhile, coach Chan Gailey said the 21-3 drubbing on the field was no cause for panic.

"I don't think panic will ever creep in for me," he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "And that's the wrong word. When you realize that you are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, that's when you start to look and see things and evaluate them in a different light. And that's the only time you start thinking about that kind of stuff."

The Cowboys had many of the same problems against the Patriots they've been having all summer. The offensive line failed to sustain pass blocking. Wide receivers Billy Davis and Ernie Mills couldn't get open much. First-round draft choice Greg Ellis, at defensive end, couldn't rush the passer.

Gailey said team morale isn't the greatest right now.

"Anybody that's a competitor and wants to do well wants to win, and we're not right now, and they are hurting in that respect," he said.

The Cowboys' next chance to get in the win collumn will come Saturday when the team travels to St. Louis to play the Rams in an exhibition game.