American Football: Dallas begin casting for dynasty roles: Cowboys want to keep leading lights together for hat-trick attempt

IT WAS one of the aims of Pete Rozelle, the NFL's former commissioner, that on any given Sunday anybody could be anybody in his league. According to that criterion the 1993 regular season must be judged at least a partial success, the first year under the new free-agency rules producing, if anything, a little too much parity.

Once the play-offs started, it was rather different. Then on any given Sunday nobody came close to beating the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys' Super Bowl triumph over the Buffalo Bills in Atlanta on Sunday completed a trio of play-off wins by an average victory margin of 14 points. That was against two of the best sides in the NFC and the best of the AFC.

After his latest triumph Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys head coach, refused to talk in terms of a dynasty, claiming he was no historian, but he knows better than anyone that his team can make history. No team have won three successive Super Bowls and no team have been better placed to do so than his Cowboys. Having completed a Texas two-step by winning back-to-back Super Bowls, a Cowboy hat-trick is well within the grasp of easily the most talented team in the game.

Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner, has the franchise's two superstars, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman, signed up to long-term deals and made it clear during Super Bowl week that he intended re-signing those players whose contracts are now up - including several key

offensive linemen. Some may well test the free-agency market, but it would be a surprise if Jones does not retain most of them. With the increased money from the new television contract, he has the resources, and in any case what Jerry wants Jerry usually gets.

The one seepage even an oil man like Jones will be unable to prevent, is at the coaching level. A year ago the Cowboys' defensive co-ordinator, Dave Wannstedt, became head coach of the Chicago Bears. Now their offensive co-ordinator, Norv Turner, is poised to leave probably to take the top job with the Washington Redskins, though the Phoenix Cardinals are also thought to be interested.

Still, one of Johnson's many gifts is the ability to pick excellent deputies, and Turner's departure is unlikely to have a lasting effect. The only real cloud on the Dallas horizon concerns Johnson himself. His relationship with Jones might be described as creatively tense at best, and earlier in the season he talked about having an ambition to build another team, later hinting that the prospect of becoming head coach at the new franchise in Jacksonville had its attractions.

Johnson was more guarded in his comments during Super Bowl week, but did say: 'At times I get bored. And I do like a challenge.'

Jones insists his coach is not going anywhere. 'He has five years remaining on a 10-year contract and the only reason he won't be coaching the Dallas Cowboys is if he isn't coaching period, at any level.'

After the victory on Sunday Johnson went out of his way to praise his boss and with Jacksonville not playing until 1995 he seemed certain to remain in Dallas for another year at least.

The challenge to the Cowboys will probably be led by a couple of traditional NFC powers, the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. Both had good seasons and can be expected to maintain their challenge in '94. The 49ers need to solidify a vulnerable defense, though, while the Giants will surely be looking for some new wide receivers.

The Green Bay Packers have a lot of admirers as the growing force in the National Conference, and with Reggie White, Brett Favre and Sterling Sharpe, do boast some outstanding talent. They are unlikely to progress however, until they develop a solid running game.

The Minnesota Vikings have just such a game, plus a formidable defense, and might become realistic Super Bowl contenders if they can sign a quality quarterback. Warren Moon, of Houston, may be available.

The AFC houses numerous promising teams, but none appear likely to threaten the NFC's 10-year domination in the Super Bowl. Joe Montana and Marcus Allen should keep Kansas City's golden oldie show successful for another year while the potentially devastating Pittsburgh Steelers could capitalise on what may be a transitional season in Houston - Buddy Ryan notwithstanding.

The AFC East threatens to become the League's most competitive division. Miami will have Dan Marino back and a point to prove, while the New England Patriots are responding impressively to Bill Parcells's call to arms.

Then there are those Bills. Even as they washed away the disappointment in the Georgia Dome a new motto was born: 'Let's go for five in '95.' With their track record we rule it out at our peril.