Saturday, April 18, 1998

Cowboys Draft preview show interesting because of Jones' comments

By Danny Reagan / Abilene Reporter-News

You didn't have to read a lot into Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' pre-draft comments Friday night.

During an interview in the hour-long program "Cowboys Draft '98" on the Silverstark Network, Jones was asked if the Cowboys would hesitate to pick Randy Moss if the talented (on the field but not off) wide receiver was still available.

"We had very candid talks," Jones said of the three interviews he had with Moss last week as the wide receiver and several other potential picks visited Valley Ranch. "He understood that we are focused on off-the-field as well. I will give a lot of thought to the risk ... I'm not going to be lying awake at not worrying about what he (this high a draft pick) is going to be doing off-the-field."

Jones explained that the Cowboys aren't looking to move down in the draft for a deal.

"We don't expect to be at the top of the draft again for a lot of years to come, so we'll stay right there (at number 8) unless it's some kind of blockbuster deal."

Jones re-emphasized the obvious: that the Cowboys have a lot of needs.

Of course, they do. The top two being lack of depth at defensive end and along the offensive line. Tony Tolbert and Kavika Pittman are all they have now. The former's knees are quickly wearing out, and Pittman has yet to have the time on the field to prove what he can do.

There is also an outside chance that the Cowboys could use that 8th pick for an inside or outside linebacker.

The signing of Ernie Mills last month could mean that Jones and company have already put the thought of drafting Moss behind them. The Cowboys may not be loaded at wide receiver, but with Michael Irvin, Billy Davis, Mills and a couple of others with potential, they aren't shabby.

Head Coach Chan Gailey, who started the arduous task on Feb. 12 of taking the Cowboys back to the promised land, appeared to be comfortable as the draft approached and said he enjoyed the group decisions made in the "War Room."

"We've gotten a lot done," said Gailey. "Coaches hired, players signed, preparing for the draft. It's been a whirlwind around here."

Gailey said that for the Cowboys to reach their glory once again, they would have to get the running game going again.

"Emmitt is still our starter," he said. "Those rumors last year that Emmitt has lost a lot of his talent are just not true. Chris Warren is an excellent third-down back, and we're hoping we have a real one-two punch."

And to whether both backs will be in there at the same time or not? "That remains to be seen."

The Cowboys will be second guessed for a long time if they don't make the most of this draft.

Mickey Spagnola, one of the co-hosts of the preview show, called it the "No Excuses Draft."

"They have to find a season-opening starter," said Spagnola.

Jones made the same point a couple of times during the program.

"We must think in terms of that (drafting a starter) when we make this selection since it will have such a big impact on the salary cap."

Spagnola explained that the Cowboys haven't had high picks or a lot of high profile needs in the past four or five years, so that has influenced the success of past drafts.

This year is different.

This draft has to be a success from the first player selected.

Otherwise, it could go down as the "No Success Again Draft."

The Cowboys First Nine Picks

First round - 8th

Second round - 7th

4th round - 8th

5th round - 7th

6th round - 9th, 35th (compensatory)

7th round - 8th, 34th & 38th (compensatory)