Thursday, September 17, 1998

Cowboys try to reconstruct devastated defense

By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Tex. (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys usually could count on their defense to keep them in the game.

It didn't Sunday, and suddenly, solid defense is a problem for the Cowboys who rank No. 23 in the NFL after being No. 2 last year.

The defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, behind John Elway, went over, through and around the Cowboys in a 42-23 humiliation Sunday that stunned the defensive coaches and players.

The Cowboys coaches and players had to admit they were out-schemed by Denver coach Mike Shanahan.

"It's hard for linebackers to cover wide receivers and tight ends and that's the position we got caught in at times," said linebacker Randall Godfrey. "We couldn't adjust until halftime."

Safety Darren Woodson said the Broncos "came out with a different game plan. We didn't match and we didn't cover. We were all over the place."

Defensive coordinator Dave Campo admitted "they caught us on some things and we got unnerved. We got calmed down at halftime."

By then they were down 35-17 and had yielded 379 yards offense, the most in a half in franchise history.

The collapses came came as a shock because the defense had played well in the opening 38-10 win over Arizona.

"It was like Omaha Beach," said defensive tackle Chad Hennings.

"We haven't had a game like that in four years," said defensive coach Bill Bates. "The 49ers did it to us in the 1994 NFC championship game 38-28."

Dallas coach Chan Gailey, who was hired because of his offensive genius, said he hasn't lost confidence in Campo or his staff.

"We watched the tape and we were disappointed and embarrassed," Gailey said. "But I still have a great deal of confidence in the defense. We had matchup problems we didn't react to quick enough as a staff.

"I don't think it was indicative of how we can play defense. Of course, we have to prove it on the field but I think the way we played against Arizona is closer to how we play defense than our showing against Denver."

Gailey admitted he got upset about the way the Cowboys looked particularly at rushing the passer and stopping the run with Terrell Davis running wild.

"It's my responsibility to get it straightened out," Gailey said.

The Cowboys play at the New York Giants next Monday night. The defending NFC East champions, only had 71 yards rushing in a 20-17 loss to Oakland. They've beaten Dallas three games in a row.

"Our pride is hurt," Gailey said. "We WILL play better."