Thursday, April 16, 1998

Will Dallas dare take chance on Moss?

By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Will the image-tarnished Dallas Cowboys play with fire in the NFL draft and take wide receiver Randy Moss, who has had his share of off-the-field incidents?

Or will they play it safe with the eighth overall pick and get a much-needed pass rushing defensive end or an offensive lineman or a linebacker?

The Cowboys aren't saying. Once again, team owner Jerry Jones has gagged his coaches and himself from discussing Saturday's draft with the media, limiting the discussion on whether the Cowboys would take Moss should he still be available.

"I really won't know where I am until we're right in there at that particular time on draft day," Jones said. "With his talent, he's somebody that we have to give a lot of consideration."

Moss and 14 other first-round draft picks have been interviewed at Valley Ranch by Jones, his coaches, and Calvin Hill, the team's behavior consultant.

"It's the first time in a long time we've been able to bring the top 15 picks or so to our place for close-up interviews," Jones said. "It tells you a lot about a player."

Jones wouldn't discuss specifics about his time with Moss, who caught 26 touchdown passes at Marshall last year, other than to say, "He's even bigger (6-foot-4, 200-pounds) than I thought."

Moss didn't show up wearing sunglasses as he did at the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, when he finished fourth. He also hasn't said much leading up to the draft, but as he left the Cowboys' training camp last week he told reporters that teams that pass on him "will regret it once they see what kind of a player I am and what kind of guy I really am."

It seems unlikely the Cowboys would risk the criticism that's sure to come if they take Moss - even if he gets by New Orleans at No. 7. Moss' criminal background includes a battery conviction and a positive marijuana test, reasons he left Notre Dame and Florida State and ended up at Marshall.

After a disastrous 6-10 season that cost Barry Switzer his job, Jones and new coach Chan Gailey are under a lot of pressure to draft players who can produce immediately.

Since Jimmy Johnson left the team in 1994, Dallas drafts under Jones haven't gone well.

Shante Carver, the defensive end who was Jones' first round pick in 1994, recently retired. His inability to rush the passer from Charles Haley's old spot was one of the reasons the secondary had only six interceptions last year.

Running back Sherman Williams, the Cowboys' first pick in 1995, has been an underproducer and may not be back with the team because free agent Chris Warren signed this week.

Kavika Pittman, another defensive end, was Dallas' first pick in 1996 and has yet to make an impact.

"I still think Kavika will be a player," defensive coordinator Dave Campo said. "We just need to be patient. But we could use some more help in the line and also at linebacker."

Tight end David LaFleur, the first pick in 1997, excelled at blocking last year, but was seldom used as a receiver.

Some late round picks have been good, led by Larry Allen, a second-rounder in 1994 who's developed into an All-Pro. Linebackers Randall Godfrey (second, 1996), and Dexter Coakley (third, 1997) also have become solid starters.

But the overall quality isn't there, hurting the Dallas depth, particularly in the offensive line, where Nate Newton is fading fast.

"We need help in a lot of areas," Gailey said. "But that's probably not big news."

What would be big news is if the Cowboys took a chance on the talented but troubled Moss.

Dallas is the one team in the NFL that doesn't need any more off-the-field troubles.