Big Changes Likely for the Cowboys

Quarterback Troy Aikman is looking for big changes in the Dallas Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones says they will come after the season.

The Cowboys (6-8), winners of three Super Bowls in the 1990s, won’t win their sixth consecutive NFC East title and need a miracle to make the playoffs.

“We’ll look at all the issues, but we’ll wait until way after the season is over,” Jones said. “I know we can’t keep having a direction like this. “

Jones also refused to give Coach Barry Switzer a vote of confidence.

“We’ve got to learn to play football without mistakes,” was about as far as Jones was willing to go on Switzer’s future.

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New York Giant defensive back Tito Wooten won’t be disciplined for allegedly assaulting a woman several hours after Sunday’s victory in Philadelphia, Coach Jim Fassel said.

“I’ve talked to people about it,” Fassel said. “To the best of what I can determine, I’m not going to take any action.”

Wooten didn’t make himself available for comment. He could face up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines if convicted of the assault charge.

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Despite its expanded size, Qualcomm Stadium will seat only about 67,500 for the 1998 Super Bowl, below the NFL’s 70,000-seat threshold.

The NFL will not sell about 2,700 seats in the first seven rows of the field level, because the view is partially blocked by team benches, players, coaches and game-day personnel. An additional 1,800 seats must be set aside for auxiliary press positions and extra broadcast booths.

NFL official Jim Steeg told San diego officials, who had promised 73,500 seats, that the shortfall will not affect the Jan. 25 game, but needs to be dealt with for future bids. The loss of the 2,700 seats, at $275 apiece, will cost the NFL nearly $750,000 in revenue.

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For the first time, NFL teams can begin signing Canadian Football League players still under contract for 1998 the day after the regular season ends. The signing period will run from Dec. 23 until Feb. 28 and will be restricted to next year and beyond. Teams in the playoffs won’t be able to make instant additions. The change was agreed upon last spring when the NFL said it would give $3 million to the CFL.