Old Cowboys spittin' dust as younger team emerges
By Chris Taylor, managing editor

     The Dallas Cowboys began the 2000 season with a very different look from last year.
     These are not your father’s Cowboys or even your older brother’s. Gone are Daryl Johnston and Michael Irvin. Considering Irvin’s recent arrest, it’s probably a good thing that he’s gone so the Cowboys don’t get labeled as America’s most wanted again.
     One of the biggest off-season acquisitions for the Cowboys was Joey Galloway, a speedy receiver from the Seattle Seahawks. Galloway was brought in to replace Irvin and bring the offense back to its glory days of Super Bowls past.
     Chan Gailey was fired as head coach after leading the team to zero playoff wins and replaced with former defensive coordinator Dave Campo.
     Campo’s (or was it Jerry Jones’) first move was to bring back the old offense that quarterback Troy Aikman and many other players enjoyed success with during their glory years.
     Dallas also jettisoned its prime time pain-in-the-neck Deion Sanders. Sanders immediately found a cure for his mysterious toe ailment and signed with the Washington Redskins, so Sanders fans will still get to see his arrogance twice a season.
     Because of Sanders’ departure the Cowboys spent (wasted) all their draft picks on cornerbacks.
     These young corners may be future stars, but Dallas signed ex-Giant Phillippe Sparks to pair with Ryan McNeil, another new face, in the secondary.
     Former cornerback Kevin Smith recently left the team and will more than likely retire.
     Injuries and eroding skills have made him a mere shadow of his former self.
     They also signed former Tennessee Titan tight end (say that three times fast) Jackie Harris in an effort to bolster a position that has been weak for about five years.
     Now if only all these new additions to the team will help Dallas figure out how to win on the road. They had a pathetic 1-8 road record last year, including the playoffs.
     These newcomers, plus the addition of the new/old offense, should make the Cowboys better than last year, but they probably won’t be that much better.
     Rather than 8-8, they will probably finish 9-7 or 10-6.
     Just winning a playoff game would be an improvement over previous years.
     So if you’re a fan and hope they will be better, you will probably be pleased with this season, but if you are counting on them to win the Super Bowl, you’re dreaming.
     Wake up.