Wednesday, November 25, 1998

Cowboys expect to see a lot of Moss

By DENNE H. FREEMAN Associated press

IRVING - Get ready for a double dose of rookie sensation Randy Moss.

The Dallas Cowboys secondary got the news Tuesday that Minnesota wide receiver Jake Reed won't play against them Thanksgiving Day. That means more work for the game-breaking Moss.

"It doesn't matter who is in there," said Dallas defensive back Kenny Wheaton. "The Vikings don't run routes. They just throw the ball downfield. In some cases, they are just playing jump ball."

Wheaton said Moss, who had a career-high eight catches for 153 yards and scored a touchdown in Sunday's 28-14 victory over Green Bay, is a defensive back's worst nightmare.

"He has the attitude that if a ball is in the air, it's his," Wheaton said. "You think you have a guy covered and they throw it anyway."

Vikings coach Dennis Green said Reed's lower back injury will require surgery and he won't play against the Cowboys.

"This means Randy will start and get more plays than the 25 or so he has been averaging per game," Green said. "It usually takes rookies a year or so to get into the groove, but Randy has already done that. He's faster than most people realize and has exceptional hands."

Safety Darren Woodson said Moss gives the Vikings a dimension of danger they've never had before.

"We've played Minnesota before minus Moss and we know what we have to do," Woodson said. "If Deion (Sanders) is back it will make it easier for us. Without him it will be tough. Their offense is very explosive."

Sanders has been hobbling around Valley Ranch with a sprained big toe. He had to leave in the first half of the Cowboys' 30-22 victory over Seattle last Sunday and was replaced by Charlie Williams.

Randall Cunningham comes into the game with the highest passer rating in the NFL. Minnesota has the third-highest rated offense in the league and has averaged 32 points per game.

The Dallas defense ranks 23rd against the pass in the NFL.

Williams, who has played sparingly at cornerback, could have a big target on his chest.

"I know they're coming my way," Williams said. "There is no sense running from it. They have big receivers and it's hard to make a play on them. I'm rooting for Deion to get healthy."

Secondary coach Mike Zimmer said the Cowboys might as well get their air raid helmets on.

"We're going to be seeing a lot of Moss," he said. "We're just glad some of our young guys got to play last week."

The Cowboys were one of 20 NFL teams who passed on Moss in the the

The Cowboys were one of 20 NFL teams who passed on Moss in the draft. Because of Moss' off-field problems, the Cowboys, already hurting in public relations, couldn't take a chance on him.

"Our hands were pretty much tied," said owner Jerry Jones.