AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - While the Dallas Cowboys try to survive the Michael
Irvin scandal with their image intact, owner Jerry Jones could be developing
public relations problems with his handling of the Emmitt Smith contract
case.
Smith, who has become one of the NFL's greatest running backs ever in just
six seasons, could be heading for another contract collision with Jones.
Smith has one year left on his contract and would like a five-year deal
in the $30 million range.
In 1996, Smith could become the 12th player in NFL history and the youngest
to reach 10,000 yards rushing.
It's unlikely Smith would sit out to put pressure on Jones. But Smith keeps
hinting he's not overjoyed with the way things are going.
"I don't know," Smith said when asked if he would leave the team.
"I'm not ruling out anything. I'm not saying I won't. I'm not saying
I will play."
The Pro Bowl running back admits he is a little "disappointed"
that Jones hasn't completed a deal yet, so Smith will have a clear mind
going into the season.
"It's not a difficult deal to do," he said. "He (Jones) has
to assess where I stand with the Cowboys. He can make me a Cowboy forever.
The ball is in his court."
The last time Smith and Jones clashed on the contact front, things didn't
go well for the owner.
Smith missed the first two games of the 1993 season, and the Cowboys stumbled
without him, losing to Washington and Buffalo. Jones rushed to sign Smith,
and the Cowboys went on to rally and beat Buffalo 30-13 in the Super Bowl.
"I want to give Jerry the benefit of the doubt," Smith said. "I
have a lot of faith in the man. I'm taking him at his word.
"I believe everything will happen good this third time around. There
was a lot of difficulty the first two times. I want to see the man try to
do it right."
In Smith's rookie season, he held out until the regular season started after
he couldn't get together with Jones over contract figures. Smith got off
to a slow start because he missed camp.
But that piece of history does not seem to be a major concern to the owner.
"There is no time frame on this thing," he said when the team
pitched camp Wednesday.
The team owner could be wrong if suddenly he has an unhappy Smith on his
hands. The last time that happened, Jones miscalculated how much it could
cost the Cowboys on the field.
It has been proven. The Cowboys don't win without Smith, who despite the
contract differences has maintained his sense of humor.
"I don't want to become the Shaquille O'Neal of the NFL," he said,
alluding to NBA megastar's signing last week of the largest contract package
in the history of team sports. "I'd like to be looked at as the Michael
Jordan of the NFL."