Friday, July 24, 1998

Michael Myers getting better every day

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Cowboys defensive line coach Jim Bates said he has seen flashes of what made defensive tackle Michael Myers a dominant player his junior season at Alabama.

The NCAA suspended Myers after the first game last season for contact with an agent, so these are really his first football practices in nearly a year.

"He started out slow, but he's getting better every day," Bates said. "He's got good reaction, and he can finish a play."

Myers, though, is spending much of his time learning the game's subtleties, such as making the correct read on running plays, playing with leverage, keeping his pad level low and using his hands.

AT A GLANCE:

ATTENDANCE: 3,400 people attended the morning practice and 1,700 attended the evening practice for a total of 27,500 in training camp.

TEMPERATURE: It was 95 degrees Thursday morning with a heat index of 96. In the afternoon, it was 104 degrees with a heat index of 106.

BUSTED COVERAGE OF THE DAY: Jimmy Oliver may have great speed, but he shouldn't find himself 10 yards behind the nearest defender for an easy touchdown catch.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Struggling Macey Brooks came up with a gem, when he jumped over Zebbie Lethridge and made a leaping catch in the end zone as he tumbled to the ground.

INTERCEPTION OF THE DAY: Cornerback Charlie Williams stripped the ball from Michael Irvin, and Kevin Mathis scooped up the deflection.

INJURIES: Cornerback Ronald Bailey (strained left hamstring), receiver Anthony Eubanks (strained left hamstring), running back Emmitt Smith (knee) and cornerback Deion Sanders (ankle) are day-to-day and didn't practice. Cornerback Wendell Davis (knee) and linebacker Broderick Thomas (knee), who had surgery Wednesday, are out for the season.

BLITZ PACKAGE:

The Cowboys blitzed a lot out of necessity - to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback - last season.

Defensive coordinator Dave Campo said he hopes the Cowboys can blitz by choice this season.

Campo said he'd like to turn linebackers Dexter Coakley and Darren Hambrick loose as well as safety Darren Woodson on a regular basis. The Cowboys also will use more zone blitzes this season.

In a zone blitz, one defensive lineman drops into pass coverage and a linebacker blitzes in an attempt to confuse the quarterback.

"We've put in some blitz packages this season that we hope will take advantage of the speed of some of our players," Campo said.

SCORING TOUCHDOWNS:

Kicker Richie Cunningham was the Cowboys' most valuable offensive player last season.

They don't want that to happen again.

The Cowboys began working on their inside-the-20 offense for the first time in training camp during Thursday morning's practice. Last year, Dallas scored only 16 touchdowns in 50 possessions inside their opponents' 20 as it had more field goals (34) than touchdowns (24) for the second consecutive season.

"To put up points in the red zone, you have to be able to run the football," quarterback Troy Aikman said. "It's hard to throw the football because the field becomes more compact. If we can run the ball more effectively than we have in the past, then we'll score more touchdowns."

Coach Chan Gailey said he just wants balance.

"Sometimes, the threat of running is actually better than the run itself," he said.

PREDICTION:

LARRY WEISMAN, USA TODAY: "I think the Cowboys will go 8-8 because they have an easy schedule."

PROFILE:

Each day, "The Dallas Morning News" will spotlight a non-starter, who is having a good camp or could make a surprising contribution this season.

ANTONIO ANDERSON

POSITION: Defensive tackle.

HT.: 6-6. WT.: 318.

EXPERIENCE: 2nd season.

COLLEGE: Syracuse.

DID YOU KNOW: Anderson, one of 14 children, has had three cousins in professional sports. They are: former Cincinnati Bengal Stanford Jennings, former Detroit Piston John Salley and tight end Keith Jennings of the Chicago Bears.

THE PAST: Anderson, who had 40 tackles last season, recorded a half sack on his first NFL play last season against Pittsburgh.

THE PRESENT: He is one of several players battling for a spot in the defensive line rotation with Chad Hennings and Leon Lett.

THE FUTURE: Anderson showed promise last season but must become more consistent. He will also provide some depth at defensive end.

KARATE MAN:

The Cowboys had been using Joe Kim, a martial-arts expert, as a consultant during training camp.

Kim, who teaches the offensive and defensive linemen how to use their hands better, began working with the Cowboys during their mini-camps.

Coach Chan Gailey said he initially was skeptical as to how much Kim could help the team.

"I liked him because he didn't come across as a guy trying to push himself," Gailey said. "He's trying to help the players become better. That's what teachers do and that's what good coaches do. I see our guys using his techniques every day in practice."

FUTILITY INSIDE THE 20:

Here's a look at how the Cowboys' running game inside their opponents' 20 has declined since 1994:

YEAR AVG. TDs STUFFS

1997 2.2 5 9.

1996 2.0 13 19.

1995 2.5 25 14.

1994 2.7 26 9.

Stuffs occur when the running back is stopped for a loss.

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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