Gailey trying to jump-start stalled offense
11/03/99
By David Moore / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING - A Cowboys offense that opened the season with a bang hasn't produced much more than a whimper in recent weeks.
Dallas led the NFL in offense after its stirring 41-35 comeback victory over Washington in the season opener. The Cowboys now rank 15th . . .
And dropping.
What is missing - along with injured wide receiver Michael Irvin - is a big-play threat. Quarterback Troy Aikman has completed only two passes in the last four weeks that have traveled longer than 25 yards. Raghib "Rocket" Ismail's spectacular start has also faded in Irvin's absence.
Ismail had scored two touchdowns and was averaging 21.4 yards a catch when Irvin was healthy. Without Irvin, he has scored one touchdown and is averaging 12.8 yards a receptions. Ismail had four catches for a season-low 31 yards in Sunday's loss to Indianapolis.
"I think people have adjusted to the things we were doing with Rocket early in the year and try to take away the big play from him," Cowboys coach Chan Gailey said. "We are working to adjust and create those situations.
It's not just the receivers. Emmitt Smith doesn't have a run of longer than 12 yards in his last 88 carries.
Obviously, opponents are collapsing on a Dallas offense that no longer seems able to challenge defenses deep.
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The prospect of Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders on Minnesota's Randy Moss is clearly the marquee matchup of Monday night's game.
Sanders, who spent part of Monday and Tuesday watching tapes of Moss and the Vikings offense, didn't want to fan the flames of this subplot too early.
"When you talk about the Minnesota Vikings, you're talking about Cris Carter," Sanders said. "You're talking about Randy Moss. You're talking about Jake Reed. You're talking about a trio of receivers who are great.
"I was watching highlights the other night of Cris Carter on Showtime. You can't emphasize one guy at the expense of the others."
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Emmitt Smith has joined the rest of the NFL community in mourning the loss of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
Payton was there for Smith when the Cowboys running back was temporarily paralyzed after landing on his head against the Chicago Bears three years ago. Payton followed Smith into the X-ray room at Soldier Field and told him not to worry. He stayed with Smith for nearly 30 minutes, holding his hand and telling him everything would be all right.
When Smith left for the hospital, Payton gave two phone numbers where he could be reached to Rich Dalrymple, the Cowboys' director of public relations, and said to call if there was anything he could do for Smith.
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Quarterback Troy Aikman, who was hit in the head during the loss to Indianapolis, had an MRI taken late Tuesday afternoon as a precaution. The results will be released Wednesday. Aikman returned to the Colts game after the hit and said he doesn't anticipate missing the Vikings game.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, learned backup safety Kenny Wheaton will be out four to six weeks with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He's scheduled for surgery Friday.
The club isn't expected to make a move to replace Wheaton at this time because it is optimistic that starter George Teague, who has missed the last two games with a herniated disc, will be able to play against the Vikings. |
