Sunday, December 21, 1997

Jones should have left well enough alone

Dear Editor:

I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan since Craig Morton and Roger Staubach were the quarterbacks back in the late '60s.

I would like to say something about Jerry Jones. He should have never fired Jimmy Johnson. He should have let Jimmy Johnson retain total control in selecting certain players along with the draft picks. But Jerry Jones feels that he should be the one who should select the players. I think Jimmy Johnson made many good draft picks which built the Cowboys into a dynasty.

After Jimmy Johnson left, Jerry Jones hasn't picked any caliber players on offense. He preferred signing the old players with experience while younger players like Stepnoski, Stone and Gogan left for better pay.

These people would have made important contributions to the Cowboys' offense. They should have drafted young powerhouse running backs instead of signing a 12-year contract with Emmitt Smith.

Emmitt Smith is by far one of the best inside running backs in the NFL. Jerry Jones failed to realize this: Emmitt took numerous punishing hits from 300-pound defensive linemen and 260-pound linebackers. He wears out fast. He was just about washed up. Had they used several powerhouse running backs with fresh legs, Emmitt could have been well-rested on the sideline while he watched the young running backs wear down the opponents. Then he could step in to create serious damage to the opponents.

No matter what coaches will be hired, Jerry Jones will continue to interfere with the coaching abilities to mold the dynamic football team. Jerry Jones has got to stay out of it and stay focused on making money while the coaches do their jobs. I think Barry Switzer is the wrong man to coach the team. He should step down and enjoy his retirement with his family.

I sure would like to see the Miami Dolphins develop themselves as a Super Bowl-caliber team some time in a year or two. Miami is getting better and better. I think Jimmy Johnson is gifted in selecting the players. Jerry Jones doesn't have that ability.

MIKE BURKE

North Port, Fla.

Via e-mail

Officials let game get out of hand

I am writing this letter concerning the high school playoff game this past weekend in Wichita Falls between the Corsicana Tigers and Canyon Randall Raiders.

The game officials were from the Abilene chapter and throughout the game, won by Corsicana by a good margin, the Canyon team repeatedly hit late without a penalty being called.

In the pile, the Canyon team reached into the facemasks of Corsicana players and scratched their faces. In the pile, punches were thrown and legs twisted and pulled after the whistle was blown -- and still no flags.

On two occasions the quarterback was walking to the sideline to talk to the coach and was hit in the head and still no flag. Toward the end of the game, when it was out of hand, the Canyon team speared one of the offensive tackles and ended his season -- he will not be able to play in the championship game.

This boy was given a penalty and thrown out of the game, but this should have been done much sooner. As the boy was leaving the field after being ejected, he was given high-fives by the coaches.

This should not be tolerated on any level of athletic competition. I hold the officials partially responsible for this situation as they could have put a stop to it early in the game.

I realize that football is a rough sport -- I have two sons that play offensive line for Hardin-Simmons University. They have never been taught to cause injury to another player.

Injuries do occur, but should happen during the course of a game where the rules are enforced. I feel that the officials that called the game on December 6 should think long and hard about what the game of football is supposed to teach our young people before they ever call another game.

Kathryn Hurley

Corsicana High School teacher