Wednesday, August 26, 1998

Cowboys Notes: More cuts, Williams out, Bates not playing

By Kevin Lyons and Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - Forty-one days after an emotional news conference to announce the end of his playing career, Bill Bates' retirement finally became official Tuesday when Dallas Cowboys management decided not to add the 15-year veteran to the club's active roster.

Bates had hoped he could serve as an assistant coach and play with the club in emergency situations. But he learned Tuesday that the team needed his roster spot to groom younger players. He will continue to serve as an assistant coach, helping Joe Avezzano on special teams and Mike Zimmer with the defensive backs. But in the next few days, Bates will finally clean out a locker he has owned since 1983. With that, he'll presumably get a full-time office and a phone number in the coaches' wing of Valley Ranch.

"For the door to be opened to play was enough, but this decision lingered on as long as my career," Bates said. "There's a finality to this and that's good. Another door has been opened. This door (playing) is closed."

Coach Chan Gailey said deciding Bates' status was a "hard decision. The challenge for him now is to bring the same stuff he showed on the field to his coaching. And I think he's done that."

MORE ROSTER MOVES

To get to the 60-man roster limit, the Cowboys released linebacker K.D. Williams and fullback Dwayne Chandler. They also reached an injury settlement with tight end Sean Simms (broken jaw).

BRIEFLY

- Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said that right tackle Erik Williams will miss Thursday's preseason game against Jacksonville with a sprained right foot. Williams will be replaced in the starting lineup by Flozell Adams.

- The Cowboys began the indoctrination of cornerback Deion Sanders to the new offense. Sande-3/4s who has been out for the past few weeks with a broken rib, returned to limited workouts Monday, worked on some plays and pass routes, Gailey sail-1/4!and he might see some time at cornerback Thursday night.

- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said recently acquired defensive tackle Artie Smith, whom the Cowboys acquired from New England for a conditional draft pick, was expected to arrive at Valley Ranch last night. Jones said Smith should see some action in Thursday's game against the Jaguars.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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