Thursday, August 27, 1998

Cowboys' concerns put limits on starters

By Kevin Lyons

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - He grimaced the way you would if the price of your favorite stock plunged in a bear market. Uneasy about how cornerback Deion Sanders awkwardly landed after defending a pass at practice a few days ago, Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones nervously asked why his highest-paid defensive player seemed to walk with a limp.

Sanders was fine. But with the recent spate of serious preseason injuries to the likes of New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bobby Taylor and Eagles defensive end Mike Mamula, you can bet Jones will be feeling lightheaded whenever any of his money men come up lame.

Will he be cringing on Thursday night when the Cowboys (0-4) end the exhibition season against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) at Alltel Stadium? Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Darren Woodson and possibly Sanders will play a quarter or so before making way for a host of rookies and free agents who are fighting for roster spots.

For Jones, who once sat on the NFL competition committee, preseason is one of the necessary evils of this game.

"We've sat around for hours and hours trying to figure out what to do about the preseason," Jones said. "Do we cut it to two games, to one game? With our sport, though, you need the work before the season starts, and unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game."

Cowboys quarterback Aikman led the first-team offense to two touchdowns and 258 total yards against the St. Louis Rams last week. But he came out of that game with a nasty bruise on his nose, courtesy of an errant Rams' hand through the face mask. He would like his offensive teammates to continue their momentum against the Jaguars' defense. But he and coach Chan Gailey knows the important thing is that this team stay healthy for the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals in 10 days.

"If we knew we weren't going to get anybody hurt, we'd probably play the entire game," Aikman said. "Yet, we've got to be smart about it. That is something that Chan has been cautious about and addressed during the preseason."

Though the starters will take off about half the night, the coaches will be hard at work. They have decisions to make, which include choosing between Billy Davis and Ernie Mills as the No. 2 wide receiver and Omar Stoutmire, Kenny Wheaton and George Teague as the starting free safety.

After the game, Gailey and company will watch film to evaluate who makes, and doesn't make, the final roster. The club must cut down to 53 players by Sunday. So, this could be the last chance to show off for the players on the bubble, including offensive lineman Steve Scifres, fullback Nicky Sualua, defensive end Denny Fortney, linebacker James Bates and safety Singor Mobley.

"Either guys are going to show up or they are going to be gone," said Davis, who made the team in 1995 as an undrafted free agent.

"It's time to play."Cowboys claim fullbackThe Cowboys claimed fullback David McCann off waviers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. McCann played for Murray State.

To make room on the 60-man roster, the Cowboys released defensive end Harold Gragg.Autograph sessionSeveral Cowboys are scheduled to be available for autographs at the Cowboys Kickoff '98 on Saturday at Texas Stadium.

The players are scheduled to sign autographs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free, but parking is $5 and $1 coupons must be used to play the interactive games available. Coupons for autograph sessions will range from $5 to $25. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Marrow Program.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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