Wednesday, November 25, 1998

Injury to Vikings' Reed means more Moss

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys' banged-up secondary received some good news and some bad news Tuesday.

The Vikings' three-headed receiver corps of Cris Carter, rookie sensation Randy Moss and Jake Reed was reduced to two. Vikings coach Dennis Green said Reed will not play in the Thanksgiving Day game at Texas Stadium.

Reed, suffering from a disk problem in his lower back, underwent surgery Tuesday and could be out least four weeks.

The bad news, however, is that Reed's injury means that the Cowboys will get to see even more of the explosive Moss, who had been averaging 25 plays per game but now will move into the starting lineup next to Carter.

Defending the Vikings' vaunted air attack would be less difficult if the Cowboys could count on the services of All-Pro cornerback Deion Sanders, listed as questionable because of a sprained toe. The decision on whether Sanders will play might not come down until right before tomorrow's kickoff.

If Sanders is available, look for him to lock up one-on-one on Moss to try to stifle the rookie's game-breaking ability. Five of Moss' eight touchdown receptions have been from 44 yards or longer.

In this scenario, the Cowboys would then give cornerback Kevin Smith help from a safety on Carter.

Otherwise, the Cowboys are planning on using reserve cornerback Charlie Williams in place of Sanders and a mix of varying coverage schemes, defensive coordinator Dave Campo said.

What is certain is that the Cowboys have such a healthy dose of respect for the Vikings' big-play passing game that they will depart some from their stop-the-run-first strategy and not be as willing to commit a safety to run support.

"We have to do both," Campo said. "We will mix it some where we can slow down both the run and the big play. We can't have them always playing coverage or stopping the run."

The Cowboys will likely use some double coverages on Moss and Carter - an option that looks even better with Reed out, considering that Campo said they "couldn't double cover three guys."

Williams, who has been burned for three touchdowns in spot duty in place of Sanders the past three games, knows the Vikings will try to target him.

"But I'm not scared or worried about that," Williams said. "It's a challenge, but there is no sense in running from it. All I can do go out there and play the best I can."

Safety George Teague said that's the attitude the entire secondary will take.

"I've seen a lot of stuff Moss does," Teague said. "He makes some incredible plays. But it comes down to us not being put in his highlight reel. Besides, with everybody watching on Thanksgiving Day, it's a chance to make plays against a good team and get remembered and recognized yourself."

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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