Wednesday, July 25, 2001

10-6?

Cowboys may want to lower their expectations

By Keith Schleiden, Managing editor

I don’t mean to suggest that Campo is a lame duck head coach, but given Jerry Jones’ delusions of grandeur, he’s about as close as they come. Jones, you might remember, expects the Cowboys to be in the playoff hunt come late fall. He’s gone on the record and said he believes the 2001 version of the Cowboys can win 10 games.

That’s very optimistic, Mr. Jones. But who can blame the guy? What’s he supposed to do? Throw in the towel before the preseason has even begun? Of course he can’t do that. But floating a double-digit win total out there for the entire world to see may be putting just a little too much pressure on Campo and his players.

You have to remember that this year’s squad is devoid of Troy Airman, Erik Williams, Chad Henning’s and Leon Lett. They, among others, were let go in the offseason.

You have to remember that this team’s defense was very problematic last year. Had I been an opposing running back — and please note that I stand 5-7, weight 155 pounds, can’t run a lick and am afraid of pain — I could have rushed for 100 yards against the Cowboys last season. While that may be a slight exaggeration, saying that the Cowboys run defense was as porous as a piece of cheesecloth is not. The Cowboys ranked 31^st in the league against the run last year, and they did little in the offseason to improve that area.

You have to remember that Tony Banks — king of failures in St. Louis and Baltimore — is expected to be the starting quarterback. If you combined all of the talent of five Tony Banks you still wouldn’t have one Troy Aikman. Maybe Banks will finally get it and will develop into a quality quarterback. But I’m not willing to bet one penny on that happening. And if Banks pulls a Tony Banks and fizzles, who is left to pick up the pieces? Anthony Wright, a veteran of exactly two NFL starts. Behind him? Quarterback of the future Quincy Carter, a rookie. Even the folks in Dallas don’t want to see him step on the field this season

You have to remember that the Cowboys will be competing in the NFC East, home to last year’s Super Bowl runner-up (the Giants) and the team that ousted the Buccaneers from the postseason last year (the Eagles). The Redskins could be revitalized under the leadership of Marty Schottenheimer as well. The only team in the division that the Cowboys don’t really have to worry about is the Cardinals, although I suspect in a couple of years under the guidance of head coach Dave McGinnis, they will come around, too.

So, maybe it’s time to rethink the 10-6 thing.

OK. Consider it re-thunked. 6-10 sounds a bit more realistic — if not optimistic.

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