Cowboys Try to Reverse Their Field

Veterans arrive today for one of the most important training camps in the 27-year history of the Dallas Cowboys.

And while the veterans undergo physicals on the Cal Lutheran campus, the rookies were scheduled to scrimmage against the Raiders.

Coach Tom Landry, stung by a 7-9 season that saw the Cowboys miss the NFL playoffs for only the second time since 1966, needs help both offensively and defensively.

Some veteran heads could roll.

Landry dismissed offensive tackle Howard Richards, reserve quarterback Reggie Collier, and overweight wide receiver Tony Hill before camp began as a signal to the remaining veterans.

Fighting to keep their jobs will be defensive linemen John Dutton and Ed Jones, veterans who had poor seasons in 1986, and an assortment of offensive linemen who were responsible last year for the Cowboys leading the NFL in having their quarterbacks sacked.

Landry will move Herschel Walker and Tony Dorsett into the same backfield from the start. The big question is can the 33-year-old Dorsett be happy with the arrangement? He’ll have to share the football with someone making more money.

All eyes will be on new offensive line coach Jim Erkenbeck, who replaced the retiring Jim Meyers.

Can the fiery Erkenbeck, who recently was treated for a bleeding ulcer, bring respectability to an offensive line rated near the bottom of the NFL? How will he fill the troublesome left tackle spot?

The Cowboys also need a replacement for placekicker Rafael Septien, who was released after pleading guilty to indency with a child. The coaches are high on 11th round draft pick Jeff Ward of Texas and left-footed Louis Zendejas.

Meanwhile, questions remain about Danny White’s broken wrist and whether it’s finally healed or will bother him through the season.

The Cowboys began the season 6-2, but after White was hurt they flopped to 1-7 with Steve Pelluer as the starter. White has had to alter his throwing motion because of the wrist injury.

Landry has turned control of the offense over to Paul Hackett with Erkenbeck to concentrate on defense. Plans are to use the famed “Flex” defense again, but Landry also has targeted defenses designed to make the Cowboys more aggressive.

It was Landry who made Sam Huff famous by installing the 4-3 defense with the New York Giants in the 1950s.

On the defense, Landry is still tinkering. His plans include moving Bill Bates to free safety and switching Michael Dows to strong safety.

“We have to develop more of a mean temperament on defense,” Landry said. “And we have to cut down the big plays. The big plays killed us last season.”

The Cowboys’ annual intrasquad game will be Aug. 8. They play the San Diego Chargers in San Diego on Aug. 15 and meet the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco on Aug. 22.

Dallas breaks camp on Aug. 28 and plays host to the Raiders on Aug. 30.

The Cowboys open the 1987 regular season in St. Louis on Sept. 13 against the Cardinals.

Landry has agreed to a three-year contract that will take him to 1990--three decades with the Cowboys.

He’s facing perhaps his stiffest test this season since the franchise started in 1960.

“It’s a challenge,” Landry said. “And I like challenges.”