COWBOYS AT A GLANCE
	Emmitt Smith
	Last year: 10-6, first place in NFC East Key returnees:: QB Troy Aikman (2,330 yards, 12 TDs); RB Emmitt Smith (1,332 yards, 13 TDs); WR Michael Irvin (74 receptions, 1,057 yards); CB Deion Sanders (5 INT, 15.6 yd. avg on punt returns) New faces: WR Raghib Ismail (Panthers); C Mark Stepnoski (Titans); LB Quentin Coryatt (Colts); DE Ebenezer Ekuban (first-round pick) New places: OL Nate Newton (Panthers); C Clay Shiver (Broncos); WR Patrick Jeffers (Panthers); LB Fred Strickland (Redskins) Watch out: The Cowboys' secondary and return units are suspect without Sanders, who had offseason toe surgery and is expected to miss the first few games of the regular season. Better than '98: Bringing back Stepnoski should add stability to the offensive line, which should help Aikman avoid another injury-plagued season. Worse than '98: Another substance-related league suspension for DL Leon Lett does nothing to help a defense that accounted for only 34 sacks last season.

Generally, getting better is the idea in the NFL, with teams using free agency and the draft to step up from the previous season. But the Cowboys, winners of three Super Bowls in four years (1992-95), were not getting better. They were holding on, and consequently getting worse. A steady parade of talent departed Valley Ranch through free agency without being sufficiently replenished -- not in free agency and, for a period, not in the draft, as the Cowboys were unwilling to use valuable salary-cap funds on late first-round picks who did not figure to become immediate starters.

But the tide just might be turning. First-round picks from the past three drafts dot the roster, and, conceivably, all three could be starting or making significant contributions before season's end. The Cowboys have rid themselves of a couple of aging starters, Nate Newton and Fred Strickland. And really, for the first time since 1990 (when Plan B was still in vogue), the Cowboys actually helped themselves in free agency, signing potential starters Raghib Ismail, Mark Stepnoski and Quentin Coryatt while not losing a player they wanted to keep.

Yet much of this team's success in '99 -- just repeating last year's 10-6 record would be successful, considering the significantly upgraded schedule -- will depend on the availability of two key defensive players, cornerback Deion Sanders and defensive tackle Leon Lett.

Sanders' recalcitrant toe is still on the mend from spring surgery. Lett is suspended by the league, and the actual length of the punishment was still undetermined three weeks before the season opener. If these players return sooner rather than later, this offseason's talent infusion will show. If not, their extended absences might be too much to overcome.

Here's a position-by-position look at Dallas' roster:

Quarterbacks
Troy Aikman enters his second season in Chan Gailey's offense, and that should be an immediate plus. Aikman will have a better understanding of where his receivers will be, and his reads should quicken. Remember, when tagging this team with that old-age stigma, that Aikman does not turn 33 until November, and in this league, 33-year-old quarterbacks are highly desirable.

Jason Garrett again backs up Aikman, which is not a bad thing when you consider Garrett was 3-2 as a starter last season while Aikman was out with a fractured clavicle. Those two losses were by a total of two points. Grade: A-

Running backs
Unlike most aging running backs whose numbers decline in successive seasons, Emmitt Smith turned his around, actually getting better in 1998 than he was in either '96 or '97. Watch for Gailey to occasionally pair Smith and backup Chris Warren in the same backfield, continuing the slow fade of Daryl Johnston as an every-down fullback. Gailey still wants Johnston to lead-block in the running game, but using Warren and H-backs will become the trend, especially in nickel situations. Grade: B+

Receivers
An infusion of speed is what the doctor ordered, and that's what Ismail brings. The Cowboys aren't looking for Ismail to remove Michael Irvin as the lead receiver, but to provide a sorely needed deep threat and simple respect on the other side of the field. Adding Ismail and re-signing a now-healthy Ernie Mills gives Aikman three veteran targets. But the Cowboys did not stop there, adding to the mix fourth-round draft choice Wane McGarity, who appears to be a nifty slot receiver in four- and five-receiver sets.

		When the Cowboys were winning Super Bowls in the early 1990s, they had the best offensive line in the league. That group had slipped in recent years, but now Dallas has taken the steps to rebuild it. They've got Mark Stepnoski back at center and have Larry Allen at one guard spot. Plus, Flozell Adams has really panned out for them, and they still have Erik Williams at the other tackle. This line is back to being one of the best run-blocking units in the league, and that will help Troy Aikman. I think Emmitt Smith will have a very good season running the football. The real big issue for Dallas is finding either a reliable tight end or second receiver. They must find someone who can take pressure off Michael Irvin and give Aikman some other options. Raghib Ismail might be the guy as the speed receiver. But Dallas could really use David LaFleur or Eric Bjornson to step up at tight end. In the weak NFC East, Dallas should compete for the division title with Arizona and New York.

The only setback here was the loss of speedy James McKnight, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in camp. TE David LaFleur must become a receiving threat in the middle to enhance the talent at wide receiver. Grade: B

Offensive linemen
Now for some shuffling that resulted in upgrades. In is Stepnoski at center. Out is Clay Shiver. Net result: immediate upgrade. In is Larry Allen at left guard. Out is Nate Newton. Net result: immediate upgrade. In is Flozell Adams at left tackle, replacing Allen. Adams has promise, and Allen is an All-World guard.

The ability of Everett McIver to successfully return from knee surgery to his starting ORG spot is the last piece to the puzzle, and he is expected to resume practicing soon. The biggest problem is backup center, where Mike Kiselak suffered a season-ending knee injury in camp. But with Tony Hutson's OT-OG versatility, McIver could move over the ball if needed. Grade: A-

Defensive linemen
The talk this summer has been of replacing the suspended Lett by committee, which means there isn't a clear-cut starter among Michael Myers, Nathan Davis, Darren Benson and possibly Brandon Noble to line up next to Chad Hennings. Don't be surprised if veteran Alonzo Spellman, signed at the start of camp, sticks inside, where he already was operating in the team's nickel defense before getting a shot with the first team.

An improved pass rush is a must, and the Cowboys spent two of their first five picks on ends. At this point, fourth-round pick, Peppi Zellner, might be more proficient rushing the passer than first-round pick Ebenezer Ekuban. But both should contribute and push starters Greg Ellis and Kavika Pittman for playing time. Grade: C

Linebackers
If Coryatt can get healthy and stay on the field, this might be the Cowboys' most talented linebacking crew since the '93 season. But that is a big "if" since Coryatt did not play in any of the first three preseason games, suffering from a sore Achilles and strained hamstring. Coryatt's acquisition allows former strong-side starter Randall Godfrey to move inside, significantly increasing the group's speed.

Coupling those two with speedy Dexter Coakley gives the Cowboys a sideline-to-sideline threesome that will be backed up by some real runners, such as third-round pick Dat Nguyen, Nate Hemsley and Darren Hambrick. For a change, the Cowboys will end up cutting linebackers capable of making other teams. Grade: B

Defensive backs
With Sanders, regardless of whether Kevin Smith or Kevin Mathis is the other corner, this will be a formidable secondary. The unit includes Pro Bowl SS Darren Woodson, veteran George Teague at free safety and Izell Reese and Charlie Williams as nickel backs.

Without Sanders, the entire field opens up, and the Cowboys become more susceptible to the deep ball, meaning they must back off their safeties. While that defensive strategy worked against the pass last year with Sanders out, it hurt against the run, as Woodson no longer could create an eight-man front. With the Cowboys just weeks away from the opener, Sanders had not practiced once, creating too much mystery this late in the summer. Grade: C+

Special teams
Joe Avezzano is one of the best special-teams coaches in the game, and his reputation should only be enhanced this season. Both kickers, the deep-snapper, holder and top two special-teams tacklers return this season. Plus, the Cowboys added Nguyen, who figures to be on all special teams and could become the next Bill Bates, if you factor in Nguyen's nickel-defense contributions.

Richie Cunningham and Toby Gowin were solid last year, and re-signing Dale Hellestrae ensures another season of exceptional snaps, a huge comfort to kickers. Grade: B+

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