Cowboys see playoffs as realistic goal

(Irving, Texas-AP) -- Jerry Jones isn't making any predictions this year. <br><br>No bold declaration of ten wins, not after the Dallas Cowboys struggled to win half his predicted total last season.

Wednesday, September 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Irving, Texas-AP) -- Jerry Jones isn't making any predictions this year.

No bold declaration of ten wins, not after the Dallas Cowboys struggled to win half his predicted total last season.

But that doesn't mean Jones is without expectations. High ones.

Jones said yesterday that he believes the playoffs are ``a realistic goal.''

That's because quarterback Quincy Carter is a year older and the team's salary cap issues are resolved, and the draft produced three starters.

The Cowboys haven't been to the playoffs since 1999, and their last postseason win was in '96. That came after three Super Bowl titles in a four-year stretch.

Jones' first championship came in his fourth season. Dallas has now gone six seasons since its last one, the longest drought during his ownership.