Thursday, September 17, 1998

In twist of fate, Emmitt Smith must carry the load again for Cowboys

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith retired to the players lounge at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters after practice Wednesday and began "slapping bones" with first-year linebacker Robert Thomas.

Like most any day of his eight-year career, Smith took up a post-practice game of dominoes, long one of his favorite pastimes. And despite all the off-season talk about the Cowboys' trying to take the load off him, about his not being able to carry the load of the offense, this is like most any day of Smith's eight-year career.

With Troy Aikman out at least four games recovering from a fractured collarbone and Jason Garrett making just his third career start at quarterback, Smith is set to carry the load again. And for Smith, it's only natural for him to want to step up his game to make things easier for Garrett.

"I wouldn't be human if I don't think I have to do more," Smith said. "But you got to be smart about it, 'cause trying to do too much can cost you the game."

If the first two games are evidence, Smith still seems capable of carrying the load for the Cowboys. He ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 217 yards, and his 49 carries are third-most behind the Indianapolis Colts' Marshall Faulk (53) and the Jacksonville Jaguars' James Stewart (52).

He rushed 29 times for 124 yards in the 38-10 season-opening victory against the Arizona Cardinals. And he proved to be one of the few bright spots in Sunday's 43-24 setback to the Denver Broncos with 93 yards on 20 attempts.

Broncos defensive tackle Trevor Pryce isn't buying the talk that Smith, whose 1,074 rushing yards last season was his lowest output since 1990, is on the downside of his career.

"I've never seen a man that quick in my life," Pryce said after the game Sunday. "One minute you see him, the next second he's gone. Don't believe that stuff they say about the guy."

Despite Cowboys coach Chan Gailey's contention that the Cowboys' offense won't change under Garrett, Giants coach Jim Fassel believes that the Cowboys will rely heavily on Smith and the running game to help ease the pressure on Garrett.

Fassel, who attributed Smith's down year in 1997 to the deterioration of the Cowboys' offensive line, agreed with Pryce, saying Smith looks as good as ever.

"He looked pretty good against Denver," Fassel said. "This guy can play. His ability is still there. He scares me when I watch him."

As a result, the Cowboys expect the Giants to employ several eight-man fronts to stop Smith and force Garrett to throw the ball. However, Gailey said the tactic won't dictate the Cowboys' goal of establishing a strong running game.

"If your goal to run, you can run against eight-man fronts," Gailey said.

Nobody knows that as much as Smith, the NFL's ninth all-time leading rusher with 11,451 yards. He said he has faced eight-man fronts his entire career.

"It's funny how things work out," said Smith, raising up from his domino game with a sly grin.

"But what's new? It's been like this for at least eight years. The running game is going to play a major part. It always has and it always will."

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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