Wednesday, November 25, 1998

Cowboys send unheralded receivers against Vikings

By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - At halftime of Sunday's game against Seattle, rookie wide receiver Jeff Ogden ran into the dressing room and feverishly rifled through his playbook.

Ernie Mills had been knocked out of the game for the Dallas Cowboys, and Ogden, a free agent from Eastern Washington, was pressed into immediate duty.

"I told him to put the book down because if he didn't know the plays by now he'd never know them," wide receiver Michael Irvin said. "I told him to just relax."

Ogden said: "I was just trying to refresh my memory about some things. It was like the teacher giving you five minutes before the exam."

Ogden passed. He caught four passes and earned praise from quarterback Troy Aikman.

"Somebody said my eyes looked as big as half dollars," Ogden said. "Maybe they did. We were playing Seattle and I knew the whole state of Washington was watching me."

Ogden and Pat Jeffers, who played for Denver last year, both played in the 30-22 victory over the Seahawks. Dallas got Jeffers in a trade with the Broncos on Aug. 30.

They will log extra time against Minnesota on Thanksgiving Day because Mills is out for the regular season with an internal injury and coach Chan Gailey sometimes uses as many as five wide receivers.

Jeffers has one catch for 11 yards this year.

"Both of us have been practicing hard, and coach Gailey isn't afraid to use young guys who have worked in his system," Jeffers said. "He has confidence in both of us, and that means a lot."

It's Jeffers' third year in the NFL, but he's caught a total of only four passes.

The Cowboys (8-3) will have to match the firepower of the the Vikings (10-1) in the Texas Stadium game, and that means either Billy Davis, Jeffers or Ogden will have to have a big day if Minnesota double-teams Irvin.

"Somebody else has to step up with Ernie out," Aikman said.

Ogden, who earned a scholarship at Eastern Washington as a walk-on, said he has been amazed how hard and accurate Aikman throws the ball.

"On one play, I was coming out of my route looking for Troy and the ball hit me in the face mask," said Ogden, who made the catch. "Now, that's accuracy."

Dallas needs a huge offensive day because the Vikings, who have already clinched a playoff spot, are averaging 32 points per game. The Cowboys' beat-up secondary could have trouble staying with the likes of Randy Moss and Cris Carter. Jake Reed will miss the game because of back trouble.

"It could be a shootout. You never know," Aikman said. "Minnesota has made tremendous offensive strides and can really score points. We'd like to keep their offense on the sideline by moving the ball."

To move the ball consistently, Aikman will need help from Jeffers and Ogden, two unheralded receivers who must make up for the loss of Mills.