Fading superstars

Cowboys hope to repeat division-winning performance

Falling star ?: With only one touchdown reception last season, Michael Irvin hopes the addition of Rocket Ismail will help increase that number this year. Stephen Dunn/Allsport

The Dallas Cowboys, last season's NFC East champions, open their 1999 training camp at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, on July 26. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Cowboys this season. SI's season previews will be posted August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know:

1) Is this a team that's lost its heart? (Witness the pitiful way the Cowboys limped through the last part of 1998, including the playoffs.)

2) Or do you believe the party line that it was just a case of too many key people banged up?

3) Is this a team of fading superstars, or a mix of effective veterans and interesting newcomers? What interesting newcomers, you ask? Gimme time, I'll find some.

4) Will top draft Ebenezer Ekuban, a defensive end, make the world forget about Kavika Pittman? Too late, you say, it has forgotten about him already.

5) Why isn't Rocket Ismail, the greatest kick returner in collegiate history, permitted to return kicks in the NFL?

6) Why'd they give Deion Sanders all that money for a new contract when no one knows when he'll be able to run full-speed?

The Cowboys will make the playoffs if: Ismail brings more speed to the passing game; a new-look offensive line takes hold as Larry Allen moves back to guard and center Mark Stepnoski returns after a four-year absence; and Dallas figures out how replace suspended Leon Lett on the defensive line. The secondary hinges on Sanders' toe and how quickly he returns from injury.

Cowboys Facts 1998 record: 10-6 (first in NFC East) Coach: Chan Gailey (10-6 in one season with the Cowboys) Stadium: Texas Stadium (65,81, artificial turf) 1998 rankings: Offense -- 8th run, 9th pass, 8th overall. Defense -- 12th vs. run, 22nd vs. pass, 18th overall. Depth chart 1998 results 1998 player statistics 1999 schedule CNN/SI Projection: 11-5

Pivotal games: Oct. 3 vs. Arizona; Nov. 8 at Minnesota. As a result of winning the division last year, the Cowboys face a tougher schedule in '99. Eight games, including five in a row from Nov. 8 through Dec. 5, are against playoff teams. Dallas swept every division foe during the regular season last year -- and then lost to Arizona in the playoffs. They'll be rested and ready for revenge after an open date Sept. 26.

On the hot seat: Michael Irvin turns 30 this season and obviously has lost a step. While he caught 74 passes for 1,057 yards last season, Irvin had only one touchdown reception. The presence of Ismail will help spread the defense and draw some coverage away from Irvin, but he must find a way to become effective when he lines up in the slot.

Up-and-comer: Ebenezer Ekuban and Dat Nguyen. Ekuban, a pass-rush specialist and the team's top draft pick, could have an immediate impact. The Cowboys traded up to get him and his skills suggest he could post sack totals in the double digits, especially now that he is again teamed with fellow North Carolina alum Greg Ellis at end. Nguyen is undersized, so he'll probably start out on special teams. But he's got speed and could see time at middle linebacker.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Raghib Ismail, WR, from Car. Mark Stepnoski, C, from Tenn. Darren Benson, DT, re-signed Ernie Mills, WR, re-signed Randall Godfrey, LB, re-signed Artie Smith, DT, K.C. Patrick Jeffers, WR, Car.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 20 Ebenezer Ekuban DE North Carolina 2 55 Solomon Page OT West Virginia 3 85 Dat Nguyen ILB Texas A&M 4 118 Wane Mcgarity WR Texas 4 132 Peppi Zellner DE Fort Valley St. 6 193 Martay Jenkins WR   7 229 Mike Lucky TE Arizona 7 243 Kelvin Garmon OG Baylor