Welcome back, Troy Aikman. The Veterans Stadium turf awaits.
The Dallas quarterback returns against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night after missing five games with a broken left collarbone. If he can make it through a game on the rock-hard turf of the Vet, he'll know he must be healthy."I don't go into the game concerned about getting hit," said Aikman, who leads the NFC East-leading Cowboys (4-3) against the Eagles (1-6). "Obviously, I would like to minimize the hits as much as possible."
Especially at the Vet, which is known for rowdy fans and a playing surface hard enough to make even the toughest NFL quarterback cringe. The Eagles, trying to salvage their season against the Cowboys, would like nothing better than to test Aikman's shoulder early and often.
"Acheman" is what they'd like his jersey to read by the end of the night.
"We can't just let him sit back in the pocket and have the freedom to throw it all day," Eagles coach Ray Rhodes said. "It's going to be important to put some pressure on him and try to get him moving around in the pocket, at least. Troy can't just sit there and have target practice."
Dallas was 3-2 with Jason Garrett at quarterback, including a 13-12 loss at Chicago two weeks ago. If healthy, Aikman makes the Cowboys looks like the Cowboys of old.
"When you step into the huddle, you know who's huddle it is," said Eagles lineman George Hegamin, expected to play against his former team. "It's Troy Aikman's huddle. You don't win three Super Bowls with a nonchalant quarterback."
Aikman was injured while sliding on a 6-yard run against Denver in the Cowboys' second game of the season. He was hit by two defenders and left the field holding his left shoulder.
Sometimes, he is doomed when he runs. Other times, he's been pummeled while standing in the pocket. Aikman has led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles, but he's had seven concussions.
"My approach isn't changing," Aikman said. "If I think it's important for us to get a first down then I'll (run) again. There will probably be a time when I get hurt again."
The Eagles' pass rush has been steadily improving, even if their record hasn't. Defensive end Hugh Douglas, acquired in an offseason trade with the Jets, was named NFC defensive player of the month of October. He had a career-high 41/2 sacks in a 13-10 loss at San Diego two weeks ago.
Though Aikman won't be facing the kind of helter-skelter defense he once saw in Philadelphia when Buddy Ryan coached the Eagles, he is still wary.
So why come back now?
"Once I've said that I can play, I'm ready to go play," Aikman said. "And I've played in enough games to know that even the best laid plans don't always mean that you're going to protect the quarterback."
Dallas has won 10 of the last 13 meetings, including two playoff victories and the last four Monday night games.
But the last three regular-season meetings have been decided in the final minute. Aikman was at the center of a 31-21 loss to the Eagles at Dallas in 1996.