Tuesday, November 17, 1998

Sanders' injury cuts Cowboys' corners

By David Moore

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - One day removed from a wild duel in the desert, the Cowboys coaching staff continued to express admiration for Arizona's Jake Plummer rather than admonish the effort of a wounded secondary.

The players were given a rare Monday off to catch their breath after the 35-28 victory over the Cardinals. The coaching staff, meanwhile, held its breath regarding the health of Deion Sanders and went to work on the best way to compensate for the injuries that have hit the defensive backfield.

Sanders displayed only a slight limp Monday when he arrived at Valley Ranch for treatment. Trainer Jim Maurer, who has listed the cornerback as questionable for Sunday's game with a sprained big toe on his left foot, considers that an encouraging sign. Maurer said the sprain isn't as severe as the one suffered by center Clay Shiver, who was put in a walking boot and missed the Cowboys game with Arizona.

Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said he expects Sanders to play against Seattle. But Maurer added that it was unlikely that Sanders would be cleared for practice Wednesday. This gives Dallas a chance to adjust the fractured arm suffered by cornerback Kevin Mathis the previous week had already left the secondary dangerously thin and devote some needed practice time to the backups.

"You can't go into a game anticipating one of the corners is going to get hurt," defensive coordinator Dave Campo said. "You adjust when you have to do it.

"Now, going into this game, we have to get other guys ready to go. We're in a better situation going from here on out if it (injuries) does happen in a ballgame. I'm not as concerned with the uncertainty. ... We've just got to make sure we have the guys ready to step in."

Charlie Williams, who took over for Sanders in the second half of Sunday's game, will get more snaps at cornerback in practice this week. Campo said backup free safety Kenny Wheaton will also pick up additional work at the corner. Safety Singor Mobley, used exclusively on special teams until pressed into duty against the Cardinals, will work into the nickel package when the team uses five and six players in coverage.

After Sanders sprained his toe Sunday, the Cowboys had to throw these players in on the run. It showed. Plummer enjoyed the second biggest passing day ever against the Dallas defense, throwing for 314 of his 465 yards in the electric second half.

"You've got to give some credit to Jake Plummer," Campo said. "The majority of those plays were improvised by him. He made some good throws. It really hurt us when he scrambled out of the pocket.

"My point is it wouldn't have mattered on some of that stuff if Deion was out there or not. It wasn't like Deion was gone and we were in a world of hurt. That kid (Plummer) made some spectacular plays, and they've got three good receivers."

Now that Plummer's afternoon at the improv is behind them, the Cowboys must prepare for two games in the next 10 days. Seattle and Minnesota use the same three-receiver sets that gave Dallas fits Sunday.

Campo argues this could actually help work out some of the defensive kinks. The Cowboys normally practice their nickel defense only 12 to 13 snaps over the course of the week. Since the Seahawks and Vikings use so many three-receiver sets, that workload will increase dramatically in practice.

"That helps you if you have some guys who have to get back into the groove," Campo said. "That's the approach I'm taking as opposed to, 'Oh man, Deion's hurt. We've got to do this or that.' "

Club officials say it's unlikely that they will go out and sign a free-agent cornerback. Dallas appears to have adopted the approach that even though Sanders and Kevin Smith (separated left shoulder) are nicked, they will be healthy enough to play and help the Cowboys ride out the storm. When Mathis returns, possibly for the game against New Orleans on Dec. 6, they hope life will return to normal.

"We're just going to go with what we've got," Campo said.

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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