Friday, November 20, 1998

Cowboys enjoying revival after last year's 6-10 disaster

By CHRIS BARRON

Scripps Howard News Service

KIRKLAND, Wash. - The mark of a champion is how it responds to adversity.

When knocked down for the first time, does it get back up and fight or give up?

The Dallas Cowboys, winners of three Super Bowls in the 1990s, are coming off a 6-10 season, their worst since 1989, and are as hungry as ever to return to the NFL's biggest game.

First-year head coach Chan Gailey, with his mild demeanor and emphasis on discipline, has helped turn Dallas around and back into one of the league's elite teams. At 7-3 and with a two-game lead in the NFC East, the Cowboys are back to where they think they belong.

"I felt fortunate to come into a situation that had a nucleus of very good players," Gailey said. "We've tried to build around that nucleus and the players here have a lot pride. They do not like being called losers and have worked very hard to shake that tag that they got last year.

"I think that our guys have a great expectation of playing in big ballgames late in the year and going on to the playoffs."

Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman, out five games with a broken left clavicle, said last year's frustration has turned into this year's determination. With a 67-29 record from 1990-96, the Cowboys weren't used to the losing they endured last season.

"It has been a team that has never been truly satisfied with what it's accomplished," said Aikman, who Sunday will make his fourth start since returning from injury. "In light of the record we had last year and not making the playoffs, obviously that was a very frustrating season for all us. So I do think there was a sense of urgency with this group. I think the team in general was anxious to get back out on the field and try to put ourselves amongst the elite teams in the National Football League, where we feel like we belong."

A big part of Dallas' success has been the reemergence of running back Emmitt Smith, injury-riddled the past two seasons. Smith is fourth in the NFL in rushing with 989 yards on 220 carries (4.5 yards per carry) and he helped cushion the blow of Aikman's absence with his increased load.

Smith, who needs four rushing touchdowns to surpass Marcus Allen for first on the all-time list at 124, has six 100-yard rushing games this season and has topped the 100-yard mark in five of his last six outings. He has not achieved six 100-yard rushing games in one season since 1995, when he led the NFL.

Since his return, Aikman has been impressive in leading the Cowboys to three straight wins over the Eagles, Giants and Cardinals. He has completed 44 of 67 passes for 543 yards and four touchdowns since his return, including a 14-of-18, 208-yard performance on Sunday against the Cardinals.

For the season, he is 71-of-111 passing for 884 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. His 102.1 quarterback rating is the best of his career. He hasn't thrown an interception in 85 passes, dating back to the season opener against Arizona.

"It's very impressive," Gailey said. "But if you knew Troy and you were around him very long, you would know why that happens, because he is such a hard worker and he pays attention to detail and he prepares himself tremendously each week."

The Cowboys were 3-2 in Aikman's absence under the leadership of backup Jason Garrett. With a new offense and new coach, Aikman, disgruntled during the coaching tenure of Barry Switzer, found it difficult watching from the sidelines.

He wanted to play, but was also encouraged by the team's progress and performance during his absence.

"I don't know if people view us as one of the top teams in the NFC," Aikman said. "I don't know if we even know within our organization exactly how good we are at this time. I think that maybe to a certain extent that's good. We've just been able to go out and play. We haven't taken the victories for granted like I think may have happened in a few years past."

With numerous injuries, the Cowboys have yet to hit their stride. Only a major collapse, however, would keep them from winning their division and earning their seventh playoff berth of the decade.

"Probably we won't know that until we get to the end of the year," Gailey said of his team's potential. "Because that's ultimately how you're team's judged. You're team is judged by how we did and how far we went in the playoffs, if we're able to get into the playoffs.

"Potential is one of those unusual words that don't mean anything. All's it is is something that can happen in the future. The reality is, what did you do? You don't define that until the end."

(Chris Barron writes for The Sun in Bremerton, Wash.)