AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - He walks well again. He runs fine. He backpedals
OK. So why isn't Kevin Smith on the field at the Dallas Cowboys training
camp?
"Don't worry," Smith said. "If I had to play a game tomorrow,
I could. I'll be there when it counts on Sept. 2."
Smith is recovering from one of the most devastating injuries a cornerback
could suffer. He tore his right Achilles' tendon in the Cowboys' 1995 season-opener
and earned his Super Bowl ring during rehabilitation.
It happened 24 hours after he signed a long-term contract that will make
him a Cowboy for life.
"It was frustrating not being on the field," Smith said. "But
I'll take Super Bowl ring No. 3. This year I want to be out there when we
win another one."
Smith, a first-round draft pick from Texas A&M in 1992, had a reputation
as one of the best cover corners in the NFL. He thwarted San Francisco's
Jerry Rice on several occasions and was on the verge of being a Pro Bowl
regular.
Now, Smith tries to overcome what some had called a career-ending injury.
"I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I have football speed and that's
all you need," Smith said. "There will be a question whether I
can cover until I go out and do it. I think I can do it. My torn tendon
has healed to the point where it is stronger than the other one. I'm not
worried about blowing it again."
Smith is one of the keys to the Dallas defense that lost five starters to
free agency and will lose cornerback Deion Sanders part of the time to offense.
Aside from last season, Smith has averaged 80 tackles, 15 passes defensed
and 4 interceptions per year.
"There's no doubt that one of the keys to our season is getting Kevin
back on the field playing like he did when he was one of our best defensive
players," said coach Barry Switzer.
Smith is trying to pace himself so he'll peak for the Sept. 2 opener in
Chicago. So far he has attended practice in street clothes.
"Mentally I'm ready but I have to build my stamina," said Smith.
"I should be ready to hit the field in about a week and a half. That
should be about right. I want my body to feel strong before I go out there
again."
Smith said he hopes the defense doesn't lose Deion Sanders entirely. Sanders
is working on his receiving skills and might even play both ways this year.
"I would have to do a lot of flip-flopping around if we lost Deion
to offense," Smith said. "I would do it but it would be tough.
We have to have Deion back there some."
Smith said the Cowboys will be a more aggressive defensive team in 1996.
"We plan to have a more attacking defense this year," he said.
"You will see more upfield stuff from the Cowboys."
Can the Cowboys pull off back-to-back Super Bowl wins?.
"Everybody will be ready for us to mess up," Smith said. "I
guess we have more visibility than any other team except maybe the Chicago
Bulls. I think we can do it."
Particularly if Smith can return to form.