Friday, July 24, 1998

Emmitt Smith's knee irritated

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith missed both practices on Thursday because of an irritated right knee.

The Cowboys and Smith, who spent much of the day receiving treatment, described the problem as minor after a magnetic resonance imaging came back negative.

"He's got a little fluid on it," Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said. "They are being precautionary with it and smart about it. We want to make sure some of (the water) is worked out before we get him back on the field."

Smith, who said he first was bothered by the injury Wednesday, said it wasn't anything serious.

Cowboys trainer Jim Maurer echoed Gailey and Smith, saying the team was being careful. Smith is listed as day-to-day and possibly could return to practice as soon as Friday.

"We don't want it to flare up anymore than it has," Maurer said. "We told him to take the day off and re-evaluate it. I've got to see how he is. If he's better, he'll practice" on Friday.

Smith sprained his right knee before, but Maurer said he has never had "this particular problem."

However, Maurer also reiterated it wasn't a major issue and said Smith would have been cleared to play if the Cowboys had a game on Friday.

Still, the situation left Gailey feeling better about the off-season signing of former Seahawks standout Chris Warren as Smith's backup.

"I feel very fortunate to have a good backup," Gailey said. "This could happen at any point and time. Chris is a proven guy."

Warren has rushed for 6,706 yards in eight seasons, including four 1,000-yard seasons and three trips to the Pro Bowl.

MILLS CONSISTENT, BROOKS STRUGGLING

The early reviews are in on the battle for the No. 2 receiver spot, and Ernie Mills and Macey Brooks have landed on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Gailey said Mills has been the most consistent of the contenders, namely Brooks, Stepfret Williams, Billy Davis and former TCU standout Jimmy Oliver.

"Ernie hasn't had the big day that some of the others guys have had," Gailey said. "But he's been consistent on a daily basis. Billy has had two or three big days, so has Step and so has Jimmy. Macey has struggled the most out of all of them right now."

Brooks, considered to have the most big-play potential, has been plagued by dropped balls, though Gailey said he has improved the past couple of days. Brooks was especially impressive on Thursday with a couple of leaping grabs.

The Cowboys' final decision won't be taken lightly, and Gailey said they are keeping track of everything.

"We keep up with every snap," he said. "We know how many times a ball has been thrown to a guy. How many drops. How many strips. We know how many yards the pass was. We know every snap there is."

STRICKLAND IN THE MIDDLE

Cowboys middle linebacker Fred Strickland said he wasn't the happiest camper when he first learned he would be in a battle for his job this season with Randall Godfrey.

"I didn't know what to think at first because of all the talk of Randall getting to start in the middle and I didn't even have a say-so in the matter," Strickland said. "But the coaches came to me and told me the situation and I was fine. I feel like I can handle the competition."

Now, it doesn't appear there will be any.

With Broderick Thomas' season-ending knee injury, it appears Strickland will keep his starting job. He played much of last season with pain in his right knee, but he said he's healthy and in much better shape to have a better season in 1998.

"I came into camp a little heavy last year, at 260 and I played at 255," Strickland said. "Now, I'm at 240. I think it's helped my speed and I haven't lost my strength."

BRIEFLY

The Cowboys, who scored only 19 touchdowns on 56 trips inside the 20-yard line last season, worked on red-zone offense for the first time on Thursday.

Gailey said he hopes Deion Sanders will be able to participate in Friday's afternoon practice. Sanders, who has been out since having his ankle scoped in May, is listed as day-to-day. Gailey said the final decision will be made by Sanders and the trainers.

THEY SAID IT

"Last year was like a nightmare, like looking at your mother-in-law. I want to forget it."

- Cowboys guard Nate Newton

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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