European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 26, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 32 the stars and stripes sports tuesday january 26,1993who s who behind super bowl by United press International thumbnail sketches of players in super bowl xxvii Between the Dallas cowboys and Buffalo Bills. Dallas cowboys offence Backfield 8-Troy Walkman quarterback 6-4, 222, 4th year Urcla. His playoff Success this year moves into the a Fly a elite group of quarterbacks. He has thrown 59 postseason passes this year for four touchdowns and no interceptions. As a Rookie Aikman was thrown into the fray without much Talent around him and without a solid offensive scheme with which to operate. But he survived the brutal Early Days to reach Star status. 22-Emmltt Smith running Back 5-9,209,3rd, Florida. Has led the nil in Rushing two straight years and becomes the first runner to be the no. 1 rusher in the league and reach the super bowl in the same season. Smith s powerful legs make him difficult to bring Down and he has enough Speed to turn those broken tackles into Long gainers. Smith has played in four postseason games and has gained at least 100 Yards in three. 48-Daryl Johnston fullback 6-2, 238, 4th, Syracuse. Here is an offensive lineman who happens to play fullback. Johnston s blocking is a key ingredient in Smith s Success and he has become More and More of an offensive weapon himself. His four catches and one touchdown run in the nil title game show How dangerous he can be when the opposition gears up to Stop Dallas other threats. Others a 7-Steve Beuerlein quarterback 6-2, 213, 5th, notre Dame 34-Tommie Agee fullback. 6-0, 227, 5th, Auburn 39-Derrick Johnston gainer running Back 5-11,240,2nd, Florida a amp a. Receivers 88�?michael Irvin wide receiver 6-2, 199, 5th, Miami. Led the nil in receiving Yards in 1991 and was second this season. As his reputation has grown More and More defensive attention has been paid to him. That began to Cut into his production during the second half. 80�?alvin Harper wide receiver 6-3,207,2nd, Tennessee. He Laboured in Irvin s Shadow during his Rookie year and his Progress was not All that great Early this season. But he began to improve dramatically curing the final stages of the Campaign and became the focus of attention with two huge catches against san Francisco. 83�?kelvin Martin wide receiver 5-9,165,6th, Boston College. Although he does not receive As much publicity As the two receivers in front of him Martin s career has been filled with key catches. It was his third Down touchdown catch against san Francisco which clinched Dallas spot in the super bowl. Martin is also dangerous As a return Man having scored twice on punt returns. 84�?jay Novacek tight end 64, 231, 8tn, Wyoming. A pro bowl player the last two seasons and a Martin major cog in Dallas Arsenal. He led nil tight ends in catches this season and is particularly dangerous on third Down. Others a 82-Jimmy Smith wide receiver 6-1, 205, Rookie Jackson state 09-Derek Rennoll tight end 6-5, 270,5th, Urcla. Linemen 71-Mark Tunnel loft tackle 6-5, 299, 10th, Hawaii. One of three players on the team who has Boen with the cowboys for a decade defensive end Jim Jeffcoat and injured special teams player Bill Bates Are the others. Although he did not receive pro bowl recognition this year Dallas coaches feel he has been their Best and most consistent offensive lineman. Has played three offensive line positions and defensive tackle for the cowboys. 61�?nate Newton left guard 6-3, 303, 7th, Florida a amp a has outlived the nickname. Kitchen Quot which was pinned on him during his Early Days with the team. To As also become a very Good football player reaching the pro bowl for the first time this season. 53-Mark Stop Nowski Center 6-2, 269, 4th, Pittsburgh. Another pro bowl representative who held out during training Camp this season and never missed a beat. He was being touted a year ago by his coaches As the Best Center in football. Gosek 63�?john Gesek right guard 6-5,282,6th, Cal. St. Sacramento. Has become the Cornerstone of the offensive line Starling 46 of Dallas fast 48 games. During the first two years of coach Jimmy Johnson a tenure with the club the Dallas roster was like a revolving door. Gesek was one of the Many who came being obtained in a Trade with the raiders and he was one of the few who stayed. 79�?erik Williams right tackle 6-6, 321, 2nd, Central state Ohio. When Dallas drafted Williams late in the third round two years ago then Philadelphia coach buddy Ryan said he thought Williams might be the steal of the draft. He might have been. Me has quickly become one of the top tackles in the game and is the Only offensive lineman in the league this year to be named offensive player of the week. Others a 66-Kevin Gogan guard tackle 6-7,319,6th, Washington 68-Frank Cornish Center guard 6-4, 285, 3rd Urcla 70-Dale Hellestrae guard Center 6-5, 283, 6th, sum 76-Alan Vel Grad guard tackle 6-5, 280, 6th, East  linemen 92�?tony Tolbert end 6-6,265,4th, Texas i paso. Receives less publicity than Many of his colleagues on the defensive line but he was second in sacks this year with 0.5. He is particularly effective against the run. 75�?tony Casillas tackle 6-3, 273, 7th, Oklahoma. Another of the key moves made by Dallas during the first four years of the Johnson administration was trading for Tony Casillas whom Johnson saw play at Oklahoma while the coach was at Oklahoma state. Atlanta coach Jerry Glanville could not get along with Casillas bringing about what has turned out to be a steal of a Trade. 67-Bussell Maryland tackle 6-1, 275, 2nd, Miami. The first player chosen in the 1991 draft. Maryland struggled in the Early going As most rookies do but his quickness and desire a attributes which made him a superstar at Miami a Are now being shown in the pros. He made dramatic improvement during the second Hall. 94�?charles Haley end 6-5,245,7th, James Madison. Branded a troublemaker in san Francisco he was traded to Dallas As the season was getting underway. He has had a positive Impact on his teammates and although his sack total 6 was Low this year he freed up other members of the line to get to the quarterback. The cowboys credit hairy with 42 quarterback pressures this season More than twice As Many As any other lineman. Others a 77-Jim Jeffcoat end 6-5, 276,10th, Arizona state 78-Leon Lett end tackle 6-6, 292, 2nd, Emporia state 95-Chad Hennings end tackle 6-4, 276, Rookie air Force 97-Jlmmie Jones end tackle 6-4, 276, 3rd, Miami. Linebackers 57�?vinson Smith Strongs do 6-2, 237, 4th, East Carolina. The Dallas line backing corps is olten lost in the a Laro of publicity Given other portions of Tho team but Mith May be the most underrated player on the team. Started his first game in 1990 regular season finale and he responded with 11 Solo tackles and a Fumble recovery. 55�?robert Jonos Middle 6-2, 238, Rookie East Carolina. To show How do Sperato Tho cowboys were to find someone to play in Tho Middle of their defense they threw Aro Okio in the position this your. And he has played far beyond Dallas expectations. 51-Ken Norton works do 6-2, 241,5th, Urcla. Son of Tho one time heavyweight boxing Champion of Tho world and fast earning his own reputation As a big play linebacker. To Camo up with a key interception in the pfc championship game and led the Toam in tackles during Tho regular season. Others 52-Mickey Pruitt 6-1, 210, 5th, Colorado 58-Dixon Edwards 6-1, 224,2nd, Michigan Stato. Backfield 26�?Kevin a mlle loft Corner 5-11, 177, a Texas a amp a. Dallas no. 1 draft Choice this season and a fixture in Tho starting lineup since mid season. He stood up to a big Tost in the pfc title game against san Francisco Whilo shadowing Jerry Rice and recovered a Fumble in that game that set up Dallas first touchdown. 24�?larry Brown right Corner 5-11,162, 2nd, thu. Brown is Only Tho third 12th-round draft Choice to Start Lor the cowboys. Brown and Smith make up Tho youngest Cor Lofback tandem in the Loague. To has a habit of making big plays in big Gamos. 27�?Thomas Everett Strong safety 5-9, 183, 6th, Baylor. Obtained in a Trade with Pittsburgh at the Start of Tho season and to soon Broko into the starting lineup to give Tho Backfield much hooded experience. He is one five starting defensive players who wore not in that role when the 1991 season ended. 37-Jnmos Washington Freo safety 6-1, 197, 5th, Urcla. One of the plan b free agents who stuck with the cowboys coming from the los Angeles rams in 1990, he earned a starting berth the next year and is one of the most improved players on the team. His interception of san Francisco a Steve Young in the final minutes of the pfc title game clinched the Dallas Victory. Others a 20-Ray Horton safety 5-11, 188, 10th, Washington 28-Darren Woodson safety 6-1,215, a Arizona state 29-Kennoth Gant safety 5-11, 191, 3rd, Albany state 30-Lssiac Holt cornerback 6-2,198, 8th, Alcorn state 47-Clayton Holmes cornerback 5-10,181, a Carson Newman. Specialists 2�?lin Elliott kicker 6-0, 182, a Texas tech. Suffered through an Early season slump but the coaches stuck with him and he became one of the Best kickers in the league during the second half of the season. He finished one Point behind league scoring co leaders Morten Andersen and Chip Lohmiller. 4�?mike Saxon punter 6-3, 200, 8th, san Diego St. Had an excellent first half of the season and a poor second half. Nine punters in the pfc had a better net average than did Saxon. But he did not have a punt blocked this  Bills offence Backfield 12�?Jim Kelly quarterback 6-3, 218, 7th, Miami. After missing Buffalo s first two Post season games with a sprained knee he returned to the starting lineup against the Miami dolphins to Complete 17 of 24 passes for 177 Yards and a touchdown. He seeks to produce the one great game that will elevate his stature within the nil Kelly a four interceptions in last years super bowl played a major role in the Bills downfall. 14�?Frank Reich quarterback 64, 210, 8th, Maryland. Was called into playoffs when Kelly was injured in the final regular season game and helped produce the greatest comeback in nil history when the Bills rallied from a 35-2 deficit to beat Houston in the wild card round 41-38 in overtime. In two postseason games Reich s passing rating was 116.8. But when Kelly got Well Reich went Back to the Bench. 34�?thurman Thomas running Back 5-10,198,5th, Oklahoma state. For the third straight year Thomas led the nil in total Yards from scrimmage equating a record set by former Cleveland Hall of Famer Jim Brown. Was a consensus nil map in 1991 and his 4.8 Yards per carry average this season was tops among the league s leading rushers. A late season hip Pointer stowed him but he should be close to 100 percent for the super bowl. _ 23--Kennbtti Davis running Back 5-10, 208, 7th, thu. He would be starting for most teams and has been an important Factor during the playoffs with Thomas slowed by his hip Pointer. Davis has averaged 5.5 Yards per carry during the Post season and scored the first touchdown in Buffalo s comeback against Houston.35�?carwoll Gardner fullback 6-2,232,3rd, Louisville. Started out As a defensive end in College and finally became a classic blocking fullback who gets limited carries. He carried Tho Ball Only 40 times during the regular season but has one postseason touchdown this year. Others a 7�?gale Gilbert quarterback 6-3, 210, 6th, California. Receivers 80�?james Lofton Wydo Rocol Vor 6-3, 190, 15th, Stanford. He May not catch As Many passes As he once did but he is still very dangerous. Lofton averaged 15.4 Yards per catch in Tho regular season and had a 50-Yard-er to his credit. He became Tho first nil Plaver to score a touchdown in the 70s, 80s and 90s. 83�?andre Reed wide receiver 6-2,190,8th, Kute town. Led the Bills in receiving Yards for the seventh straight season and is Tho most prolific receiver in fran a Koy to buffaloes comeback against Houston and has three touchdown catches in Tho postseason. Washington managed to reduce Reed s effectiveness in last your s super bowl holding him to 34 Yui via ha8t"eeo to Flat end 6-7, 250, 11th, a Usan. Has caught More passes than any Buffalo tight end Ever. Only Thurman Thomas score More touchdowns during Tho regular season than Metzelaars did