Sports: Cowboys' star still gets attention

Cowboys' star still gets attention

By RICK STROUD

TAMPA -- It cost $70 and lord knows money was scarce. Warren Sapp rarely asked his mother to buy him anything, but he absolutely had to have that Dallas Cowboys jacket.

"I wore it everywhere," Sapp said. "It's one of those things where I was just a product of my environment. It's just one of those things they fed us and I bought it hook, line and sinker. ... Either you love them or you hate them, but there's no middle ground."

Before they were stars, many of the Bucs players dreamed about wearing one on their helmet.

So today, when the Cowboys make their first appearance in Tampa since 1990, they represent more than just a downtrodden dynasty with a 4-8 record.

"There's a side of me that thinks this is the first time I've played them in my eight-year career," safety John Lynch said. "No matter what you say, it is the Dallas Cowboys and there is a little extra that goes along with that. They feel that. They feel like they're a little special because they've got the star on their helmet. It's just team you grew up watching on a regular basis."

Running back Emmitt Smith, who realized his dream of playing for Dallas after idolizing Tony Dorsett, understands why many NFL players still have a soft spot for the Cowboys.

"Just because you're playing for another team might not deter that," Smith said. "You're playing the game because you love the game. But I think in a lot of players' hearts across the National Football League, they grew up idolizing the Dallas Cowboys one way or another and would like to play for this organization, too."

But sentimentality will cease once they tee it up today, Lynch says.

"For this team, it's who's next on the schedule," Lynch said. "We all know how important every game is now and these guys are next. We've got to try to take them down."

CRUNCH TIME: It could be a photo finish for the playoffs, but the Bucs have been pretty good down the homestretch under coach Tony Dungy. Tampa Bay is 9-6 in December since '96.

"I think you've got to be able to concentrate and you've got to be able to do it when the stakes are higher," Dungy said. "And we've been able to do that for the most part. Sometimes you're in weather that's not ideal and defenses become more important. Running the ball and playing defense helps you. So I think those are factors. But I think it's the mental approach of the team and being able to practice and continue to get better."

Look for marquee players like Derrick Brooks, Sapp and Lynch to elevate their games. Even Keyshawn Johnson.

"This is the important time," Dungy said. "This is when people ask, "Why do you go out and get a guy like that?' These are the times you do."

SACK HAPPY: The Bucs have given up 25 sacks. But the alarming thing for the team is that 11 have come in the past two games -- including seven against the Bills last week.

"I think any time you give up seven sacks in one game, you have to assess where you are," left tackle George Hegamin said. "I don't think there's a need to panic. But you see Buffalo had a pretty good scheme for what we were doing. It wasn't pretty much anybody getting beat one-on-one. But any time you give up seven sacks you have to come back the next week and shut that team down if at all possible."

STAND AND CHEER: Other than perhaps Lee Roy Selmon, no player represented the Bucs on and off the field better than Paul Gruber. The left tackle will be honored at halftime today.

Gruber played 12 seasons and his 183 starts are a team record.

Ever dependable, Gruber endured nine consecutive losing seasons before he participated in his first playoff game in '97. Unfortunately, the franchise's most durable player broke his leg in the final regular-season game of 1999 when the Bucs clinched their first NFC title in 18 years. Despite a gallant comeback attempt this off-season, he retired.

Gruber is a man of few words. Today, it will serve him well as he stands and listens to one more ovation from grateful fans.