Tuesday, November 17, 1998

Cowboys' Warren gives little thought to past two seasons at Seattle

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - There was no anger in his eyes. Or his words. Just a tinge of disappointment.

Dallas Cowboys running back Chris Warren said he's still not sure why the Seahawks made their most productive running back in team history split playing time the past two seasons with two journeymen.

And to some degree, Warren said he doesn't care. That's old news, he said.

He still talks to his best friend, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, every week. And he checks the summaries every Monday to see how his friends did.

But Warren, who spent his first eight seasons with the Seahawks, says he doesn't spend much time thinking about Seattle.

This week, he will.

The Cowboys play Seattle on Sunday at Texas Stadium.

"It'll be weird to see a lot of my teammates and actually play against them with the game on the line," said Warren, who owns or shares 13 Seattle records. "I'm sure they'll have something waiting for me and I'll have something for them.

"I was bitter at first because I felt like I never got an explanation, but that was really just an insight into this business."

So Warren suffered in silence for two seasons.

He finished last season with 847 yards, a 4.2 average per carry and four touchdowns. But he did accomplish his goal of surpassing Curt Warner and finishing his career as the Seahawks' all-time leading rusher with 6,706 yards.

"It happened on the last carry of the last game," Warren said, "but I'm glad I got a chance to do it."

Warren asked Seattle for his release in the off-season. The Seahawks obliged, then signed free agent Ricky Watters to a lucrative contract.

"They wouldn't let me play him," said Cowboys running back coach Clarence Shelmon, who coached Warren for six seasons in Seattle. "Until I become a head coach all I can do is give my professional opinion. It's up to the head coach to take it because he makes the final decision."

Warren signed a three-year, $2 million contract with Dallas, re-uniting him with Shelmon. He picked Dallas because he liked Shelmon and he wanted to play for a winning organization.

That's because the nine-year veteran has never played in a playoff game.

He has blended well with the Cowboys, serving as Emmitt Smith's backup and playing on third downs. Warren has gained 202 yards, has averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns.

Warren, who gained a season-high 104 yards on 14 carries against Washington, scored on a three-yard run in Sunday's 35-28 win over Arizona.

"It's hard for him here because he can't get into a rhythm," Shelmon said, "but the guy can still play. He could start for several teams."

"He has power and acceleration. The pile moves when he has the ball."

Warren has also caught nine passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.

And until Kevin Mathis returns from a broken forearm, he will return kickoffs. If Deion Sanders, hobbled this week by a sprained big toe on his left foot, can't return punts then Warren will probably do it.

"He's a true athlete," Shelmon said. "He can run, catch return kicks. I've seen him line up wide and beat (Kansas City's) Dale Carter on post and comeback routes."

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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