Sunday, April 5, 1998

Cowboys back on course with change in direction

By Randy Galloway / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS -- Did I read that right?

How interesting that a sports section headline could say: "Cowboys schedule hits soft spot."

Considering this was a team with a record of 6-10 last season, losing the last five, who is calling whom SOFT?

When the NFL announced its 1998 slate of games last week, it can certainly be assumed that 12 other teams gleefully circled "Dallas" on their schedules. As in a "W" waiting to happen.

Jerry Jones, talking about the woes of '97, said Friday: "It was our humble-pie experience, starting with me."

But for what it's worth, Valley Ranch is now as busy as it's been in years, and those close to the football scene also say it's the most intense, productive off-season since they don't know when.

Admittedly, that same lip service has been paid to off-seasons the past four years, and there was no truth to it. But ... .

Things are obviously different. Much, much different.

For one, when the pre-season predictions for 1998 start appearing in summer magazines, the Cowboys will be lightly regarded. They are considered finished as a Super Bowl contender, and even as a serious player in the NFC East.

This will work in Dallas' favor. So is the fact that to the outside world, particularly the media, the hiring of Chan Gailey as coach will be regarded as having zero impact.

Gailey is going to be underestimated, just as he initially was in this column.

But what Gailey has done in a very short time is win over minds at Valley Ranch, and in the process, totally change the philosophical approach to football. And this change has also included Jones. Remember, there are many who regard Gailey as Jones' coaching puppet, a house boy like the last house boy.

But the Jones of January, who was declaring, "I will have the offense and the defense in place" for the new coach is far removed from the Jones of April.

"To be around Chan every day, to listen to the communication skills with coaches and players, to hear the offensive knowledge, and how he makes everything so interesting with his explanation, I know this guy has a special skill," said Jones. "He's solid, and he gives everyone out here a solid feeling about our future.

"I know what's been said, and I know what people are thinking, but I do want Chan's input, I want it on everything."

Jones, of course, had also once talked of being the team's draft honcho and the free-agency honcho, but now there's a football man in place he respects. One philosophy change in particular is worth noting.

"We are not finished in free agency ... there will be additions," said Jones. "This will also be the best draft we've had in years. We will get some football players out of this draft.

"And come July in Wichita Falls, we are going to take the draft picks, the free agents and the other young players we already have, and pit them against veterans at many positions.

"That has not been done in years around here. In the past, because of who we were, and who we thought we were, everything was geared toward a veteran keeping his job. But the time has come for us to allow young players to have a competitive impact. Those days of being smug are gone. For all of us."

In a way, this sounds like a concession to rebuilding. Jones, of course, disagrees. "It is certainly not a give-up on this season. What it does do is put a healthy focus on battling for the right to start."

The message must have been received in some quarters. Jones claimed Nate Newton weighed in last week at 308 pounds. Jones also revealed Newton was in the 370s range last season.

When it comes to tipping the scales, however, of immediate concern at Valley Ranch is the draft on April 18-19. "We have the eighth pick," said Jones. "We have to make an impact, and we will. There are too many good players for us not to get someone who can help us right now."

Jones would say nothing, but there are those who think the Cowboys have narrowed the first-round pick to a pair of defensive ends, Grant Wistrom of Nebraska or Greg Ellis of North Carolina.

"All I know is much can and probably will change in the next two weeks," said Jones.

But actually, the dramatic change is already underway at Valley Ranch. It has become once again a place for serious football.

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(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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