NFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

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NFC-N-2            6/18/02		CONTACT: MICHAEL SIGNORA (212/450-2076)

PUTTING THE DEFENSE IN “BIG D”

While the eyes of NFL fans everywhere are on Dallas Cowboys running back EMMITT SMITH and his quest to eclipse Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON’s career rushing record, the Cowboys turned much of their attention this offseason to the other side of the ball.

Beginning in March with the free-agent signing of two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle LA’ROI GLOVER, the Cowboys took several steps to improve the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense from last season.

“We think we’re getting a player at the right time of his career,” says Cowboys owner JERRY JONES.  “La’Roi is still young (27) and has plenty of football ahead of him.  He has the ability to make the players around him better and that’s what excites us about La’Roi.”

Glover spent the past five seasons reeking havoc along the defensive line of the New Orleans Saints.  His sacking ability  (50.0 career sacks, including 17.0 in 2000) will help improve a Dallas pass rush that totaled 24 sacks last season – second fewest in the NFC.

A former NFL Europe League standout with the 1997 F.C. Barcelona Dragons, Glover will be playing a similar three-gap technique with the Cowboys that he thrived on with New Orleans the past two seasons.

Dallas head coach DAVE CAMPO has been impressed with what he has seen of Glover in the club’s first three quarterback schools.

“I’ll tell you one thing: La’Roi Glover is in the backfield a whole lot,” says Campo.  “It’s hard to tell without the pads on with the guys on the line.  But just by first glance, it’s hard not to notice the things he’s doing.”

To bolster the team’s linebacking corps, Dallas looked to former Jacksonville Jaguars star KEVIN HARDY.  The No. 2 pick of the 1996 NFL Draft, Hardy started nine games for the Jaguars in 2001 and was among the league leaders in tackles when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. 

Campo is excited about what Hardy brings to the defense.  “Kevin gives us a weapon we really haven’t had around here: a big, aggressive linebacker with tremendous pass-rush skills,” he says.

The defensive upgrade continues in the secondary, where the Cowboys have high hopes for 2002 first-round draft pick ROY WILLIAMS.  The safety from Oklahoma was selected with the eighth overall selection after a standout collegiate career that included a national championship and several individual honors such as the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to college football’s top defensive player.

Williams, who Sports Illustrated has called “the best safety to come out of college football in years,” will be competing for playing time in a defensive backfield that already includes five-time Pro Bowler DARREN WOODSON.  The Cowboys also added cornerback BRYANT WESTBROOK, who comes from the Detroit Lions.

“Darren is an awesome player – one of the best,” says Williams.  “He really knows a lot about the game and what to look for.  I can learn a lot just by watching him and how he reacts on the field.  That is one of the most exciting parts about playing in Dallas for me -- the chance to play alongside Darren Woodson.”

As the first-round pick of the Cowboys, Williams stepped into the spotlight from the moment he heard his name on draft day.  Still, the 21-year-old might not be the most famous member of his family.  His aunt, VECEPIA TOWERY, recently won the grand prize of $1 million on the hit CBS show Survivor.

Fans will get a unique look at the team’s preparation for the 2002 season and a preview of how the new additions are coming together when HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Cowboys team up to present Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys this summer.  The first sports-based reality series will kick off its second season on Wednesday, July 31 at 11:00 PM ET.  Subsequent episodes will air each Wednesday culminating with a series finale on September 4.