Tuesday, November 24, 1998

Cowboys feeling the pain

By David Moore

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - If there's a blueprint on file to beat Minnesota - conclusive evidence is hard to gather since Tampa Bay is the only team to do so this season - it includes mandates to contain the Vikings' explosive trio of receivers and control the clock.

Injuries to Deion Sanders and Emmitt Smith could make it difficult for the Cowboys to follow this outline.

Sanders is listed as questionable for Thursday's game with a sprained big toe on his left foot. Smith is questionable with a sprained right ankle.

The Cowboys' ability to beat the Vikings without one or both players at full speed also must be considered questionable.

"We've got an important game," Dallas coach Chan Gailey said. "But they're not going to cancel it or put it off for two days because we have some injuries. We've got to go play."

Sanders and Smith aren't alone. Right tackle Erik Williams (sprained left knee) and backup running back Chris Warren (strained right groin) are questionable. Cornerback Kevin Mathis will miss his third consecutive game with a fractured right forearm, while receiver Ernie Mills (perforated small intestine) and guard Everett McIver (knee) will miss the rest of the regular season.

The Cowboys have been resilient in their ability to overcome injuries this season. But there's a fear the team may be close to a point of diminishing returns.

"Clearly, it's a concern," quarterback Troy Aikman said. "You don't want to see guys go down. You need to rely on everybody at this time of year to stay as healthy as possible.

"The thing that has helped us when we had injuries is that guys have stepped in and played well and we've been able to have success. How long that will continue is anybody's guess. But, hopefully, the guys we've got banged up will come back pretty quick."

Sanders aggravated his injury Sunday on a pass to Seattle's Joey Galloway in the second quarter of the Cowboys' victory. An MRI showed no new damage. Trainer Jim Maurer said the cornerback's toe is not as bad as it was coming out of the Arizona game one week earlier.

When Sanders was listed as questionable last week, Gailey said he expected him to play. Gailey stopped short of a similar proclamation Monday since the game was just three days away. Gailey did say the possibility of having Sanders lock up on one receiver - Minnesota's Randy Moss is the most likely candidate - dwindles with each missed practice.

"If we get Deion back, it's going to make it easier on us," us," safety Darren Woodson said. "I'd like Deion to be out there. If not, we still have to go win the game."

If not, Charlie Williams will take his place.

"I know they're coming," Williams said of Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed, who is questionable with a disk problem in his lower back. "So, hey, there's no sense in running from it. Just go out there and play the best you can."

Minnesota's average of 31.6 points is second only to Denver. Carter, Moss and running back Robert Smith rank among the top seven scorers in the NFC.

In this case, the best defense is a good offense. The Cowboys' ability to hold on to the ball and grind out 10- and 12-play drives is crucial.

"Well, points are the most important thing," Aikman said. "That's how they keep score. It's not on possessions. We want to come off the field with one more point than they've got.

"But, obviously, we would like to keep the ball out of their hands and keep their offense on the sidelines. To do that, we need to control the ball. But while we're controlling the ball, we've got to score points. That's the key."

Smith and Warren are keys to making that strategy work. Both are beat up. Gailey said Smith is farther along at this point. If one or both are slowed, the load shifts to Sherman Williams.

"I'm not a doctor," Smith said. "All I know is it "the ankle" is feeling better.

"We'll see what I can do with it. I'll get treatment, then, come Thursday, I will try to play the best I can."

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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