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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Aikman Denies He’d Lobby Against Switzer

From Wire Reports

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman insisted Friday he would not attempt to use his power within the organization to pressure owner Jerry Jones into replacing coach Barry Switzer.

“I don’t even know if I have any clout within this organization, and, if I did, I certainly would not exercise that,” Aikman said. “Those people make the decisions they feel they have to make, and I make the decisions I feel I have to make.

“But no way would I try to use any weight that I have in this organization to get somebody a job or make somebody lose their job.”

Aikman’s remarks were in response to the perception he could prematurely retire because of an apparent philosophical conflict with Switzer.

A person close to Aikman said the quarterback is disappointed Switzer has reneged on an off-season promise to be more of a disciplinarian. Aikman has refused to criticize Switzer, perhaps because of the potential detrimental impact to a slumping team that nonetheless could clinch another NFC East title Monday night. Switzer said his relationship with Aikman is devoid of serious problems.

“My relationship with Troy is built on one thing - he’s committed to winning, and I’m committed to winning,” Switzer said. “I can’t understand why there is a perception around here that I’m not committed to winning. I cannot understand that.”

Aikman, who had a failed partnership with Switzer at Oklahoma and transferred to UCLA, often has said he prefers the methods of former Dallas coach Jimmy Johnson. Johnson was a control-oriented coach with a commanding presence who led the team to back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Despite initial distrust, Aikman developed tremendous respect for him.

While Switzer seems the antithesis of Johnson, Aikman said he personally likes Switzer and called their relationship professional. Aikman is under contract to the Cowboys through the 2001 season.

Playoff picture

There are 10 teams vying for the final four playoff spots to be filled by Sunday night. Eight teams already have clinched, but nobody in either conference has secured home field throughout the championship games. The 18 teams still alive represents the most with one weekend left in a year.

All three of today’s games have playoff implications.

The San Diego Chargers could get into the playoffs if they beat the New York Giants in today’s first game.

The Detroit Lions could position themselves for a possible NFC Central Division title if they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Indianapolis Colts could clinch a playoff spot if they beat the New England Patriots.

Although teams usually go all out to win home-field advantage, Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher prefers health over venue. The Steelers have assured themselves of a bye and home field for their first playoff game, and they have a chance to win the AFC No. 1 seed if they beat Green Bay and if Kansas City loses to Seattle.

But Cowher is going to play third-team running backs and probably will rest top receiver Yancey Thigpen.

“While there still is a lot at stake, you certainly don’t want to jeopardize a player’s availability through the course of the playoffs by making a decision right now,” Cowher said.

Where are we?

Writes Don Pierson in the Chicago Tribune: “Chris Miller, Rams quarterback, suffered his fifth concussion in 15 months. Or was that 14 months? Or was it three concussions and two knockouts? Or were those just blackouts? Gee, he can’t remember.”

Around the leauge

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is one of the leading candidates for the head-coaching job at UCLA. Robinson was an assistant there for eight years under Terry Donahue, who resigned earlier this month. Former Philadelphia Eagles and UCLA coach Dick Vermeil has spoken with UCLA athletic director Peter Dalis on Robinson’s behalf. … Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell is confident he will get the necessary 23 votes from his fellow owners on Jan. 17 to approve his move to Baltimore. “When the owners are presented the facts, they’ll realize I didn’t throw 35 years away for nothing, or in a frivolous fashion,” Modell said. “I don’t operate that way.” … The Cowboys rank 19th in the league against the run after giving up 244 yards on the ground to the New York Giants. … Jerry Rice needs 52 yards against Atlanta on Sunday to break the NFL record for receiving yards in a season. The record is held by Charley Hennigan, who racked up 1,746 yards for the Houston Oilers in 1961. … The Chicago Bears signed running back Robert Green to a two-year, $1.2 million contract.