THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 3, 1994 TAG: 9410030130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Barry Switzer is either the luckiest hitchhiker in football or a Cowboy capable of putting his brand on the two-time Super Bowl champions.
Analyzing Barry is a prime-time subplot to this NFL season, still so young and full of possibilities - unless you are the Redskins and every week is an invitation to ridicule.
Now, though, is not the time to judge Switzer. Assessments of the college coach allegedly reborn as Jerry Jones' puppet should be put on hold for at least another week, until Dallas plays a real NFL team with an actual, functioning pro quarterback.
In their 34-7 victory over the Redskins, we didn't learn much about the Cowboys, except that Heath Shuler finds the Dallas defense to be a little bit more complicated than Georgia's or LSU's.
``We played really good on defense,'' Switzer said.
Good enough to befuddle and bully a kid quarterback who needs fog lights on his helmet. Big deal.
The Cowboys should best move on as quickly as possible. Sunday's game was not much of a test. Switzer's team probably works harder in practice.
``I know that we can play better,'' said Switzer, now 3-1 as an NFL coach. ``I talked to the team about that. Troy Aikman can play better than that. Emmitt Smith can play better than that.''
Cowboys star receiver Michael Irvin admits, ``We aren't anywhere near where we can be.''
He didn't seem the least bit concerned.
``If any team opens the season at their top level,'' he said, ``the only way you can go is down.''
This is the arrogance of a two-time Super Bowl champion, and, in small doses, it is a good thing. But what if the Cowboys' patience is a cover for contentment? Is Switzer the best coach for a team whose biggest problem may be complacency?
At the University of Oklahoma, Switzer was famous - and than infamous - for running a very loose ship. Scandal is nothing new in college athletics. But it was those Uzis in the Sooners' dormitory that got everyone's attention. In time, Switzer was forced into football exile.
As a pro coach, Switzer's reputation precedes him.
``How can you not run a loose ship in the pros?'' said veteran safety Bill Bates. ``You can't treat these guys like kids. They won't play for you.''
Like it or not, the Cowboys play for Switzer now, a coach with no previous pro experience who is being propped up by a staff assembled by his predecessor, Jimmy Johnson.
Is Barry just a grinning good old boy along for the ride? Johnson implied as much when, following the Cowboys' overtime loss to the Lions two weeks ago, he sniped at Switzer from his media pulpit.
Sunday, Switzer was asked if the Cowboys' manhandling of the Redskins came in reaction to Johnson's criticism. As if the Redskins aren't begging every team to manhandle them.
``No, no, no,'' Switzer said. ``That doesn't have a thing to do with it. Our guys are professional football players. They're paid to do it. They better do it.''
What part Switzer plays in the process interests those looking for a difference in styles between the new and old coach.
Switzer, Bates said, ``is a motivator in a different sense than Jimmy.'' Under Johnson, he explained, ``We used to worry about what the coach would say about us through the media. Now we worry about what the coach will say to your face. It's nothing, really. It basically just makes good press.''
The Redskins only wish they had such worries. by CNB