Cowboys Look Solid In Opener

	IRVING, Texas (AP) -- New coach. Same old result.
	The defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys answered
questions about coach Barry Switzer, middle linebacker, the
defensive line and place kicking with a solid 26-9 victory over
Pittsburgh on Sunday.
	``Everybody kept saying we were old and that teams could run
over us,'' defensive end Jim Jeffcoat said. ``I think we showed we
still have it. I think we showed that a change of coaches hasn't
changed the way we play on the field.''
	``We're not as deep as the team we had last year but everything
else is in place,'' said defensive end Charles Haley, who had four
of the Cowboys' nine sacks. ``We have a good chance to do what no
other team has done.''
	The Cowboys are trying to become the first team to win three
consecutive Super Bowls.
	``These other guys are trying for three rings and I just want
one ring,'' said Switzer, who replaced Jimmy Johnson. ``It's a
great feeling and a great way to start.''
	Switzer became the first Cowboys coach to win his opener,
something Tom Landry and Johnson couldn't accomplish.
	``That's a little special,'' Switzer said. ``I'll savor it.''
	Middle linebacker Robert Jones had his best day with six tackles
as Dallas held Pittsburgh to 55 rushing yards. Barry Foster gained
only 44 yards on 12 carries.
	Safety James Washington said, ``Robert told us in the huddle we
could count on him and he came through.''
	Rookie Chris Boniol of Louisiana Tech made an impression as
Eddie Murray's replacement, hitting all four field goal tries.
Murray took the free agency road to Philadelphia.
	``I was perfect and that's what I have to be,'' Boniol said.
``Now, I need to work on getting my kickoffs deeper into the end
zone.''
	There weren't any questions about running back, but Emmitt
Smith, seeking a fourth consecutive NFL rushing title, went out and
gained 171 yards to remind everyone why he was the regular season
and Super Bowl MVP.
	``It was important that we get off to a good start,'' Smith
said. ``We executed. Now we have to do it 15 more times.''
	Troy Aikman said a fast start was imperative ``because of all
the changes that occurred in the off-season. If we started off
wrong it would raise a lot of doubts and concerns and that wouldn't
have been good for the team.''
	Aikman hit 21 of 32 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown. Wide
receiver Michael Irvin caught eight passes for 139 yards.
	``It wasn't bad for an opener,'' Aikman said, ``but there is
still a lot of room to get better.''
	Aikman said Monday he was getting a little tired of Irvin's
constant complaints for the football.
	``I don't tolerate that,'' he said. ``Michael should be wise
enough to realize he will get the ball.''
	The Cowboys play the Houston Oilers on Sunday. Aikman said he
was surprised by the Oilers 45-21 loss to Indianapolis.
	``It was a shocker,'' Aikman said. ``We know the Oilers can
play. I expect they will be cranked up for us on Sunday.''
	Houston beat Dallas 6-0 in a preseason game on a muddy field in
Mexico City.