Barry Switzer

EAST%Division predictionThe Dallas Cowboys should breeze to the division title, and the Washington Redskins figure to finish last. That leaves the other three teams -- the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals -- in a scramble for second and third, and wild-card spots.1. Dallas Cowboys1994 record: Won division with a 12-4 record, lost NFC title game at San Francisco.Coach: Barry Switzer (13-5).Key additions: rr C Ray Donaldson, QB Wade Wilson and RB Sherman Williams.

The Cowboys thought they might be the last team standing. Now they could be the first team drafting. So how does a proud franchise miss the mark in such a spectacular way, following its most promising season in a decade by losing seven of its first eight games? Is it all coaching? What role does owner Jerry Jones play? How do those players — essentially the same group that won a playoff game last season — allow themselves to be embarrassed the way they were last Sunday in a 45-7 loss at Green Bay?

NFC EastDallasLast season: 10-6, first place.Playoffs: Beat Vikings, 40-15, in wild-card game; lost to Panthers, 26-17, in divisional round.Coach: Barry Switzer (39-16), fourth season with Cowboys.Critical upgrades: When Michael Irvin was hurt in the Carolina playoff game, quarterback Troy Aikman was left without a competent receiver who knew his pass routes. That won't happen this year. The Cowboys added tight end David LaFleur in the draft and a badly needed deep threat in Anthony Miller via free agency, although Miller had a bad knee in camp.

Another Cincinnati Bengal has been arrested this week. Who had Eric Steinbach in the pool? Steinbach was cited for "boating under the influence" on the Ohio River. He reportedly failed a series of field sobriety tests. No wonder. Have you ever tried to walk a straight line on the water? Instead of reciting the alphabet, he had to name everyone else on the team who's been in jail this year. Al Davis must look at the Bengals and say, "I want no part of those guys." Instead of the usual signing bonuses for their future draft picks, the Bengals are offering get-out-of-jail-free cards.

From all appearances, Brian Billick looks as if he will return as the Ravens head coach next season. Billick talks once or twice a week with owner Steve Bisciotti about the future of the Ravens and, despite being mired in a troubling 4-9 season, the two were seen laughing over a leisurely dinner at the team complex Monday. These are not signs that the Ravens are trying to distance themselves from Billick, one of four coaches who are currently with the teams they guided to the Super Bowl title.

Another Cincinnati Bengal has been arrested this week. Who had Eric Steinbach in the pool? Steinbach was cited for "boating under the influence" on the Ohio River. He reportedly failed a series of field sobriety tests. No wonder. Have you ever tried to walk a straight line on the water? Instead of reciting the alphabet, he had to name everyone else on the team who's been in jail this year. Al Davis must look at the Bengals and say, "I want no part of those guys." Instead of the usual signing bonuses for their future draft picks, the Bengals are offering get-out-of-jail-free cards.

IRVING, Texas -- When Emmitt Smith and his mother talked yesterday about the Dallas Cowboys' latest Super Bowl trip, they quickly zeroed in on one of the most popular topics here the past two years: the difference between coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.The contrast between Switzer's laid-back style and Johnson's hard-driving approach has been debated endlessly in Dallas since Johnson parted ways with owner Jerry Jones in March 1994.Johnson, who was named the Miami Dolphins coach last week, had been getting the better of the debate because of Switzer's failure to make the Super Bowl last season, his 0-3 record against the San Francisco 49ers and the failed fourth-and-one call in Philadelphia.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones pushed coach Barry Switzer out the door with a pat on the back yesterday.In what was announced as a resignation, Jones hailed Switzer as one of the 17 coaches to have a Super Bowl victory on his resume. He also noted that Switzer won 45 games and three division titles in four years. Switzer was 40-24 (.625) in the regular season and 5-2 in the playoffs."He had the toughness to walk into a situation that was as great a challenge as any football coach ever faced in the NFL. Barry Switzer was the right man for the right time," Jones said.

The defense has often been the caboose on the Dallas Cowboys' victory train.Except for Deion Sanders, the defensive players are usually overshadowed by the offensive stars, and the Cowboys have been willing to lose defensive players in free agency and plug in new ones.Yet the Cowboys showed Monday night that their defense can win a critical game on a night when the Green Bay Packers held their offense without a touchdown.It didn't matter because the Packers' offense, averaging 28.8 points, was shut out until the 58th minute, when the Cowboys already had an 18-0 lead en route to a 21-6 victory.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Put the Pittsburgh Steelers on your shoulders. Give them a ride fit for a hero. They came away a loser on the scoreboard and in the record book of time but, more importantly, earned the respect and affection that are usually only heaped upon the front-running winners.All praise for Pittsburgh, a team that was sadly underrated and unappreciated . . . . but never an underachiever. The Steelers, reaching back for a maximum effort, had the Dallas Cowboys in trouble with a late thrust but couldn't put them away.

From all appearances, Brian Billick looks as if he will return as the Ravens head coach next season. Billick talks once or twice a week with owner Steve Bisciotti about the future of the Ravens and, despite being mired in a troubling 4-9 season, the two were seen laughing over a leisurely dinner at the team complex Monday. These are not signs that the Ravens are trying to distance themselves from Billick, one of four coaches who are currently with the teams they guided to the Super Bowl title.

ASHBURN, Va. - After waiting for his time to come, Dallas Cowboys coach Dave Campo continues to wait. Now, the first-year head coach, who spent the past 11 seasons on the Cowboys' staff as a defensive assistant and coordinator, is waiting for his first victory. He will get his third shot at his first win tomorrow night against the Washington Redskins (1-1) at FedEx Field. The two previous tries turned into disasters. The losses were different in how they happened, but both rank high as the worst kind of defeat.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones pushed coach Barry Switzer out the door with a pat on the back yesterday.In what was announced as a resignation, Jones hailed Switzer as one of the 17 coaches to have a Super Bowl victory on his resume. He also noted that Switzer won 45 games and three division titles in four years. Switzer was 40-24 (.625) in the regular season and 5-2 in the playoffs."He had the toughness to walk into a situation that was as great a challenge as any football coach ever faced in the NFL. Barry Switzer was the right man for the right time," Jones said.

NFC EastDallasLast season: 10-6, first place.Playoffs: Beat Vikings, 40-15, in wild-card game; lost to Panthers, 26-17, in divisional round.Coach: Barry Switzer (39-16), fourth season with Cowboys.Critical upgrades: When Michael Irvin was hurt in the Carolina playoff game, quarterback Troy Aikman was left without a competent receiver who knew his pass routes. That won't happen this year. The Cowboys added tight end David LaFleur in the draft and a badly needed deep threat in Anthony Miller via free agency, although Miller had a bad knee in camp.

The defense has often been the caboose on the Dallas Cowboys' victory train.Except for Deion Sanders, the defensive players are usually overshadowed by the offensive stars, and the Cowboys have been willing to lose defensive players in free agency and plug in new ones.Yet the Cowboys showed Monday night that their defense can win a critical game on a night when the Green Bay Packers held their offense without a touchdown.It didn't matter because the Packers' offense, averaging 28.8 points, was shut out until the 58th minute, when the Cowboys already had an 18-0 lead en route to a 21-6 victory.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Put the Pittsburgh Steelers on your shoulders. Give them a ride fit for a hero. They came away a loser on the scoreboard and in the record book of time but, more importantly, earned the respect and affection that are usually only heaped upon the front-running winners.All praise for Pittsburgh, a team that was sadly underrated and unappreciated . . . . but never an underachiever. The Steelers, reaching back for a maximum effort, had the Dallas Cowboys in trouble with a late thrust but couldn't put them away.

AUSTIN, Texas -- He's traveled from the Oklahoma plains into this Texas town to do a job.He's one tough hombre.The name is Barry Switzer.The Boss calls him Clint Eastwood."

PITTSBURGH -- Imagine what the score would have been if the Dallas Cowboys had not been in disarray, torn to shreds by a free-agency exodus and a coaching change forced by an ego clash with the owner, a team ready to disintegrate right on Fox.The Cowboys put all those fears (hopes for Cowboy-haters) to rest yesterday, crushing the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-9, in front of 60,156 at Three Rivers Stadium.By day's end, Barry Switzer had gone where no Cowboys coach had gone -- into the winner's circle in his debut.

IRVING, Texas -- When Emmitt Smith and his mother talked yesterday about the Dallas Cowboys' latest Super Bowl trip, they quickly zeroed in on one of the most popular topics here the past two years: the difference between coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.The contrast between Switzer's laid-back style and Johnson's hard-driving approach has been debated endlessly in Dallas since Johnson parted ways with owner Jerry Jones in March 1994.Johnson, who was named the Miami Dolphins coach last week, had been getting the better of the debate because of Switzer's failure to make the Super Bowl last season, his 0-3 record against the San Francisco 49ers and the failed fourth-and-one call in Philadelphia.

EAST%Division predictionThe Dallas Cowboys should breeze to the division title, and the Washington Redskins figure to finish last. That leaves the other three teams -- the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals -- in a scramble for second and third, and wild-card spots.1. Dallas Cowboys1994 record: Won division with a 12-4 record, lost NFC title game at San Francisco.Coach: Barry Switzer (13-5).Key additions: rr C Ray Donaldson, QB Wade Wilson and RB Sherman Williams.