Catching On Former UW Quarterback Bjornson Gets The Hang Of Playing Tight End

Eric Bjornson ran a 15-yard out pattern, froze the strong safety with a nifty sideline move and caught a perfect pass from Troy Aikman just before stepping out of bounds.

“Does that play look familiar?” asked Dallas Cowboys scouting director Larry Lacewell. “That’s the Jay Novacek play, the one we couldn’t run last year.”

With the now-retired Novacek missing all of last season with back troubles, the Cowboys had to depend on Bjornson as their go-to third-down receiver.

The only problem was Bjornson nursed two sprained ankles through the season. Although he caught 55 passes for 441 yards and three touchdowns, it still wasn’t what the Cowboys needed on offense.

“I wasn’t very smart last year,” Bjornson said. “I tried to come back too soon with my injuries. I just never got better.”

Ever see a man try to run on two sprained ankles?

“It was kind of pitiful,” Bjornson said. “But I didn’t want to let the team down. I gave it my best shot.”

Bjornson has looked sensational in training camp as he competes with first-round draft pick David LaFleur, who is more of a blocker than a route runner.

“I’m still not quite 100 percent on my ankles, but they are getting better,” Bjornson said. “I came into camp 20 pounds lighter and that seems to help.

“Coach (Barry) Switzer said he wanted me to get lighter and quicker, and I can tell the difference. I was too heavy last year.” Bjornson is down to 210 pounds. Bjornson said the fact the Cowboys took a tight end as their top draft pick may have served as a spur for him.

“It got my attention,” Bjornson said. “I still think I will be the receiving tight end. I think I’ll be there in the passing situations. It would be unfair to expect David to come in and produce immediately.”

Bjornson said what he likes is the retooled Cowboys offense.

“Jack Riley came in at quarterback coach and he and (offensive coordinator) Ernie Zampese have added some new wrinkles,” Bjornson said. “I’ve noticed a lot of plays are designed to isolate the tight end. I think that’s beautiful.”

The offense has looked so good that Bjornson said he fully expects the Cowboys to make another Super Bowl run.

He also said he would like to become another Novacek.

“This is only my third year to play the position, so I’m still a little inexperienced,” Bjornson said.

Novacek is in camp to guide LaFleur and Bjornson, who was a quarterback and wide receiver at the University of Washington.

“I think tight end is in good shape with the Cowboys,” Novacek said. “Both of these guys have a world of talent.”

Packer accused of sexual assault

A Savannah-Chatham County, Ga., grand jury will decide whether Green Bay Packers linebacker Wayne Simmons will be charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old on her graduation night.

A woman told police on May 31 that she was assaulted by the 27-year-old Simmons at about 3 a.m. in a stairwell inside an 18-and-older nightclub, authorities said.

The grand jury will meet in August or September, said David Lock, deputy district attorney.

Simmons had attended the graduation at Hilton Head High School from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., said principal Bill Evans. Simmons, a 1988 graduate, was there to retire his football jersey.

The woman was a graduate but police said they have no indication she knew Simmons before they allegedly met at the nightclub.

Simeon Rice improving

Simeon Rice’s condition improved after an overnight hospital stay in Phoenix and he was expected to rejoin the Arizona Cardinals at training camp by this weekend.

Coach Vince Tobin said Rice would miss this morning’s practice - his ninth straight since coming down with a viral infection - but that he would be allowed to practice during the afternoon if he felt able.

Rice, last year’s NFL defensive rookie of the year, entered a Flagstaff, Ariz., hospital on Sunday, complaining of severe headaches. A spinal tap done as a diagnostic procedure increased the pain and left him with a sore back.

Veteran tackle retires

Veteran Tennessee Oilers offensive tackle Irv Eatman said Thursday he decided to retire when he learned a long-term recovery period was needed for his injured shoulder.

Eatman played three years in the USFL and 11 years in the NFL, the last two with the Oilers. He tore a muscle in his shoulder in minicamp last month and decided to retire when he discovered the extent of the injury and the recovery time.

Signings

Warrick Dunn, the 12th pick in the draft, ended a five-day holdout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, agreeing to a six-year, $8.86 million contract that included a $3.5 million signing bonus… . The Denver Broncos’ No. 1 draft pick, Trevor Pryce, signed a five-year contract that is reportedly worth $4.9 million.