Tuesday, November 17, 1998

Cowboys get a chance to relax

Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Coach Chan Gailey said the Cowboys had played three intense games in a row, so he had made up his mind to give them the day off if they beat Arizona.

"We had a Monday night game up there. We had a big game against the Giants and a big game against the Cardinals," said Gailey, "and we're about to play two games in 10 days. I thought they needed a little break.

"I hope it's a mental break to get away and relax. They know what we have to get done and what we have to do. I bet every one of our players is in here watching the tape in the next couple of days."

Touchdown time

The Cowboys' offensive success inside their opponents' 20-yard line this season has been consistently inconsistent.

On Sunday, though, the Cowboys were perfect: five possessions and five touchdowns.

Coach Chan Gailey said it was a matter of execution and field position. Three times, the Cowboys had first-and-goal inside the 5.

"Our execution was better, and we got the ball fairly close a lot of times," he said. "When you've got first-and-10 at the 10, it's lot harder."

Dallas ranks eighth in the NFL in touchdown percentage (59.5 percent) inside its opponents' 20. Denver leads the NFL at 64.9 percent.

Center of concern

Coach Chan Gailey said his biggest worry entering Sunday's wasn't getting another cornerback hurt, it was losing another center.

With Clay Shiver out with a sprained foot and knee, Mike Kiselak replaced him. If Kiselak had been injured, deep snapper Dale Hellestrae would have replaced him.

According to the Cowboys' media guide, Hellestrae has not played with the offensive unit since Nov. 6, 1995 in a 34-12 victory.

A big pain

The Cowboys led, 7-0, when trainer Jim Maurer tended to the first player injured in Sunday's game.

The next time he had a chance to look at the scoreboard, the Cowboys were up, 21-0.

"I had absolutely no idea how we scored the other points," Maurer said. "There are days like that."

Six players were hurt during the course of Sunday's game. Here's a rundown of those injuries and the status of center Clay Shiver, who missed the game with a sprained big toe on his right foot.

Deion Sanders Questionable with a sprained big toe on his left foot.

Erik Williams Questionable with a sprained left knee. Williams hurt the knee with two minutes left in the first quarter but never left the field. He had an MRI taken Monday as a precaution.

Clay Shiver Questionable. Maurer said Shiver is walking much better but probably won't be cleared to practice Wednesday.

Kevin Smith Probable with a separated left shoulder. Maruer said there was very little swelling Monday and Mathis is not expected to miss any practice.

David LaFleur Probable with a strained right pectoral muscle. Also had an MRI taken Monday as a precaution.

Kavika Pittman Probable with a sprained left ankle.

Charlie Williams Probable with a strained neck.

McIver to practice

Cowboys right guard Everett McIver, who hasn't played in six weeks, has been cleared to return to practice.

McIver sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the first half of the game against Washington on Oct. 4. He is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game.

"I don't think he'll be ready to go against Seattle," trainer Jim Maurer said. "But if he shows good, I'm not going to discount it, either. Our goal is just to get him back out there and working in drills again."

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News

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