Wednesday, April 15, 1998

Cowboys' Smith stunned but 'OK' with Warren signing

By Josie Karp

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Running back Emmitt Smith says he is secure in the belief that he is the Dallas Cowboys' starter. He says he welcomes the addition of Chris Warren.

Smith says all the right things and sounds like he means them, too. But one revelation sheds light on how Smith might view the signing of a running back who rushed for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons and has played in three Pro Bowls.

When he heard about Warren's signing on TV late at night, Smith was surprised. No one had talked to him about it.

"I wasn't even in town. I saw it on the news. I was like, 'OK,' " Smith said Tuesday. "I was like, 'Wow.' "

It would be understandable to imagine Smith feeling a bit left out this week. Not only did the Cowboys sign Warren, but Warren is reunited with his former running backs coach in Seattle, Clarence Shelmon.

"Without a doubt they've got a special bond, and there's nothing I can do about that," Smith said. "I just hope that me and Clarence and Chris all develop a bond where we all can be respected as individuals first of all and great players for this ballclub as another."

Smith says he has been told he will be the starter.

"The way they had said it, I'm No. 1," Smith said. "In terms of competing, I'm just going to go out and do the best that I can. Whenever I get tired, I've got to honk the horn and let them know and let them figure out who's going in next."

Still, Smith is sure of something else.

"I know in the back of my mind (Warren) wants an opportunity to play," Smith said. "I want an opportunity to play. So, I know I've got to be at the best and on my toes, as well.

"This is good. This is good."

It is also new. All of it, from the plays to the players. And it is almost five months before the Cowboys play a real game.

"We're all in a new system. That's a fresh start," Smith said. "... We all have one thing in common, trying to get this team back on track, trying to do the best that we can in the running game. ... Minicamp has yet to come and training camp has yet to come. Once training camp gets started and once the season rolls around, then we'll get to see how things really are."

BRIEFLY - Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman had a previous commitment and did not attend an optional practice session Tuesday. - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team is pursuing free-agent defensive end Leslie O'Neal.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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