"THROUGH THE EYES OF A FAN"
THE LONG ROAD BACK TO THE TOP
FOR THE DALLAS
With no progress with Emmitt Smith and his new contract the Cowboys opened the 1993 season without him. The first game was on Monday Night Football against the Redskins in RFK Stadium. With Smith not playing the Cowboys turned to rookie running back Derrick Lassic. The Cowboys jumped out to an early lead when Aikman connected with Alvin Harper for an 80 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Lin Elliott missed the extra point and the Redskins took over after that. The Redskins played like they were the ones who had won the Super Bowl as they beat the Cowboys 35-16. Troy Aikman threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Derrick Lassic did well in his first game as he rushed for 75 yards on 16 carries.
The following week was a Super Bowl re-match with the Bills at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys turned the ball over four times and Lin Elliott missed a field goal. Troy Aikman tried bringing the Cowboys back, but was intercepted on the goal line late in the fourth quarter. The Bills won the game 13-10. The loss dropped the Cowboys to 0-2 to start the season.
The last thing Jimmy Johnson wanted to do was speak with the media after losing to the Bills. There were tears in his eyes and he looked lost. Fans were use to seeing a confident Johnson who knew how to handle the difficult times, but being without Emmitt Smith was just too much to handle. Charles Haley slammed his helmet through the locker room wall after losing to the Bills. Haley said the team needed to sign Emmitt Smith right away because they couldn’t win with Derrick Lassic running the ball.
Jimmy Johnson decided to cut kicker Lin Elliott after he had missed two field goals and one extra point in the first two games. Elliott also told Johnson during the Bills game that he had lost his confidence. Johnson worked out many kickers before signing 14-year veteran Eddie Murray.
When your team is 0-2, your head coach seems lost and the players are upset, there was only thing Jerry Jones needed to do. He signed Emmitt Smith to a new four year – 13.6 million contract, making him the highest paid running back in the NFL. Although Smith was ready to play Jimmy Johnson said that Derrick Lassic would start the next game against the Cardinals, but Smith would get to play as well. Even Smith agreed with Johnson, saying that Lassic had played well in the first two games and deserved to start.
With Emmitt Smith back with the Cowboys it seemed to take the pressure off of Lassic. Against the Cardinals he rushed for 60 yards and scored twice as he led the Cowboys to a 17-0 third quarter lead. Aikman connected on 21 of 27 passes for 281 yards. Alvin Harper caught six passes for 136 yards. Then there was Emmitt Smith, who came into the game in the third quarter and rushed for 45 yards on eight carries. The Cowboys got their first win of the 1993 season, 17-10 over the Cardinals.
Jimmy Johnson decided to make a change to the Cowboys defense after the Cardinals game. He replaced starting middle linebacker Robert Jones with Ken Norton Jr. Rookie linebacker Darrin Smith moved into Norton's spot on the right side. Johnson liked Darrin Smith because he added more strength and speed to the defense.
Emmitt Smith was back in the Cowboys starting lineup the following week at Texas Stadium against the Packers. He rushed for 71 yards and scored on a 22 yard touchdown run. Troy Aikman had a great game going 18 out of 23 for 317 yards and a touchdown. Michael Irvin ended the day with 155 yards receiving and a touchdown. New kicker Eddie Murray showed he was still effective after 14 years, as he kicked five field goals for the Cowboys. The Cowboys beat the Packers 36-14 to even their record at 2-2.
The Cowboys traveled to Indianapolis for game five of the 1993 season to take on the Colts. Troy Aikman was once again on fire as he connected on 21 of 28 for 245 yards and a touchdown. Emmitt Smith for 104 yards, which included a beautiful 20 yard cutback run for a touchdown. Michael Irvin caught seven passes for 112 yards. With the Cowboys leading 14-3 in the third quarter, they set up for an Eddie Murray field goal attempt. Jimmy Johnson said he had noticed on game film that the Colts liked to stack one side of their line to rush the kicker. Johnson took advantage of this by faking the kick and sending Jay Novacek, who was the Cowboys holder through an opening in the defensive line and into the end zone from two yards out. The Cowboys won their third straight game and beat the Colts 27-3.
In Week 6 the Cowboys welcomed the 49ers to Texas Stadium for an NFC Championship re-match. Emmitt Smith got the fireworks started, but it wasn't in the Cowboys favor. He fumbled early in the game and the 49ers returned it 4 yards for a touchdown and took a 7-0 lead. Emmitt Smith gave the Cowboys a 13-10 the lead in the second quarter with a short touchdown run. The 49ers took the lead back in the third quarter, 17-16. Michael Irvin put the Cowboys ahead for good with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Troy Aikman. Irvin juggled the ball with one hand at the goal line and then held it against his leg as he scored, giving the Cowboys a 23-17 lead. Eddie Murray added a field goal, which was his fourth of the game and the Cowboys beat the 49ers, 26-17.
Against the 49ers Michael Irvin caught 12 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. Emmitt Smith ran for 92 yards and Troy Aikman connected with six different receivers and ended the day with 243 yards passing.
The Cowboys and Eagles were both 4-2 going into the 7th game of the season. The game was played on Halloween in Philadelphia during a heavy rainstorm. The Eagles had no time for trick or treating. Their focus was trying to stop Emmitt Smith. Smith who had a career game as he rushed for 237 yards on 30 carries. With Aikman struggling with only 96 yards passing, it was Smith who got the Cowboys their 5th straight victory. He sealed the win with a 62 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys won 23-10 and improved to 5-2 with the Giants next up on the schedule.
To be continued...
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