Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 1978)
Dallas a good bet to repeat THE BATTALION Page 11E MONDAY. AUGUST 28, 1978 United Press International | ALLAS The Dallas Cowboys '78 should be about like the Dal- 'owboys of 1977 and 1976 and and most any other year in re- memory. ley ought to he quite good, they probably win most of their es and they are as good a bet as to win the Super Bowl, lowboys coach Tom Landry ad- that at this time last year he did look upon his team as one that capable of reaching the Super '1. But four key changes on the nsive unit last year worked out right and by midseason it was the defense was one capable of Jig impressive things. at defense is back untouched 1977 and should be even bet- he young players who stepped I the defense were especially im- (tant to our success, said I dry. They have the ability to I better and they must continue to | io if we re to stay in strong con- ion. he things we achieved most on defense a year ago with the ■r addition of (linebackers) Thomas Henderson and Bob Breunig, the change of Randy White into the line and with (cornerback) Aaron Kyle coming along. These four players all were pluses and they may be pluses for a number of years if they con tinue to improve. “I felt our defensive team reached its potential at just the right time. And I think that is what carried us to the Super Bowl. The emergence of White, com bined with Harvey Martin and Ed Jones, made Dallas’ pass rush a dif ficult force with which to contend, but Landry has hopes that his of fense might match the quality of his defense this season. There could be a problem in the offensive line with the retirement of Ralph Neely at tackle and the failure of veteran Rayfield Wright to fully come around from a knee operation that cost him a chance to play last year. But this is the second year for Tony Dorsett in the backfield and the coaching staff expects him to ex plode this season. Dorsett didn’t do all that bad last year. Although he started only half the games of his rookie season, he still gained 1,000 yards. Tony s performance last year was just average — for him,” said Landry. He played much on in stinct. He was trying to learn our system and was hurt quite a bit. The latter is a critical point for Tony. Tf he’s willing to work hard enough all year, prepare himself physically for the season that’s com ing, then it’s unlimited what he might do. He’s very capable of gain ing a lot more than the 1,000 yards he had in 1977 and with the 16- game schedule and an injury-free year he should be in the 1,500-yard area.” Quarterback Roger Staubach is back, of course, rolling along at age 36. In early training camp and ex hibition season action, Staubach looked as good as ever. And the talented receiving corps of Drew Pearson, Golden Richards, Butch Johnson and Billy Joe Du- Pree will benefit greatly from the rule change that does not allow bumping more than five yards past the line of scrimmage. But there is a slight shadow on the hopes of the Cowboys this sea son. The kicking game is a matter of great concern to Landry. Efren Herrera held out for more money and was traded to Seattle and much-travelled Skip Butler and rookie Jay Sherrill are trying to take his place. Few rookies have a chance to make the club but No. 1 draft pick Larry Bethea, a defensive lineman from Michigan State, is almost cer tain to stick as are running backs Todd Christensen of Brigham Young and defensive back Dennis Thurman of Southern California. The retirement of Mel Renfro, who had been used sparingly last year because of foot problems, opens a defensive backfield spot. Dallas has a chance to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls and Landry hopes that goal is enough to fight off any fat-cat thoughts. “In returning to a level that won it for us last year, stress will come from the problem of complacency,” Landry said. lem c® — l^ulp talks about Campbell mn.K' JL h in® bowl mnasfal irienltf'l 0 nd United Press International rcer.S IOUSTON — Curley Culp is a ier pi itious interviewee who offers only :w well chosen words for public cone® isumption. He approaches his job iisai* shucking blockers and downing muralt learners as business-like as he tramu! j S jbly can. V l> e iome say the hulking Houston thei« lers middle guard makes too ich of his “9-to-5” philosophy, it was the case after a recent lerview in which he admitted that icial matters affected his play season. m here,” he said, “because I e football. But the emblem on helmet doesn’t mean a damn gto me.” It was interesting to note, there- e, his answer in a subsequent erview to a question about Oilers’ )kie running back Earl Campbell. 1 think he will be a great asset to team," Culp said. He’s solid and strong. But the test will come once the regular shn begins. As for his structure d style of running, it is all there. ” There was more. Of course, we’re not going full leed now. But he runs low to the ground. We need that outside threat and he and A.D. (Anthony Davis) should be able to give it to us.” It was high praise indeed from the man who has made the Oilers de fense a potent force in the NFL for three seasons. He knew, as do most veterans and youngsters in Hous ton’s organization, that the former University of Texas tailback may bring the same impact to the pre viously pass-happy Oilers’ offense that he did to the Longhorns last year. Campbell led the nation with 1,744 yards rushing in his senior season with the Horns. During the past month Campbell and the Oilers have gone through a rigorous training camp on the other side of Texas Hill Country from Austin, where he built a reputation which earned him the Heisman after last season. Campbell handles himself much like Culp. He appears mature and tough-minded in his business dealings. Before training camp began, Campbell dabbled into commercial endorsements. The list of endorse ments included shoes, snuff, autos and furniture. His agent, Mike Trope, said Earl was paid $2,500 to sign autographs for 45 minutes. “Right now I’m not doing any of that. I’m not going to (do that) dur ing football either,’ said Campbell. “Tve got to zoom in on one thing. ” Since signing a reported $1.38 million, five-year contract with the Oilers in May, the presence of Campbell has paid off for the club. Season ticket sales are way up. Oilers publicist Jack Cherry tells the story of the Houston auto dealer who had not renewed his large block of Oilers season tickets early this spring. The auto dealer heard the news of Houston’s trade to obtain Campbell while on vacation in Hawaii, and when he did he called the Oilers offices long distance. Told the lines were busy, the auto dealer held for 20 minutes before placing his order, Cherry said. Campbell does not Sell every thing. He freely signs autographs after practice as he does his slow walk, the one which reminds NFL followers of Jimmy Brown. “If I don’t have time for the kids,” Campbell said, T’m spending too much time on unnecessary things.” Unsung hero One of the thankless jobs on the Texas A&M Uni- way (left). Beal, a sophomore quarterback, will get versity football team is that of holding field goal a chance for glory this season, as he and fellow attempts. David Beal carries out his job (above), sophomore Mike Mosley both are expected to see while kicker Tony Franklin sends the ball on its action at quarterback. TEXAS A&M ENIVEESITT FALL 197S »4 WATS 14 V4& I HIT A GOOD FASHION NOTE I THIS FALL WITH CORDUROY SPORTSWEAR BY Aggies! Get It All: ★ Local & National News ★ Exclusive TV Listings ★ Aggie News & Sports ★ Entertainment it Shopping Bargains = SAVE UP TO 50% WITH OUR AGGIE SPECIAL CALL 693-6847 693-6848 <£QLO SARCgjTX The Eagle