DALLAS -- The Dallas Cowboys went with experience at quarterback and youth at the kicking position Monday, placing promising signal caller Kevin Sweeney and veteran kicker Rolf Benirschke on waivers.
Dallas Coach Tom Landry also said Kevin Brooks, the team's No. 1 draft choice two years ago, had replaced 14-year veteran John Dutton as starting left defensive tackle.
The Cowboys kept five rookies on the roster, plus two others with pro experience making their first appearance with Dallas.
One of those was Roger Ruzek, who played two years with the USFL's New Jersey Generals and who beat out Benirschke for the kicking job. Benirschke, a 10-year veteran, was obtained in a trade with San Diego last week.
'Rolf is a tremendous person,' Landry said. 'But we decided to go with youth. We brought a lot of kickers in and Ruzek's mechanics are as good as anyone we saw. How tough he will be mentally, we will have to see.'
Sweeney was drafted in the seventh round out of Fresno State and soon after training camp began it appeared he had a roster spot cinched behind veterans Danny White and Steve Pelluer. But when both veterans struggled in exhibition games, Landry decided experienced backup help was a priority.
That meant keeping eight-year veteran Paul McDonald over Sweeney, a decision made easier by McDonald's productive showing during the final quarter of Dallas' last exhibition game.
'It would have been interesting to see what Sweeney could have done,' Landry said. 'But our veteran quarterbacks have not done well in any game. If White had been 100 percent (he is still feeling the effects of surgery on his wrist), who knows what the decision might have been.
'But Paul has handled himself well and we decided we needed the experience at that spot.'
Also cut Monday were running backs Alvin Blount and Carl Miller, wide receiver Cornell Burbage, tackles Steve Cisowski and Reggie Smith, tight end Steve Folsom, cornerbacks Johnny Holloway and Robert Williams, defensive tackle Mike Makins, defensive end Ray Perkins and guard Bob White.
Defensive tackle Don Smerek (hamstring), offensive lineman Glen Titensor (knee) and defensive end Robert Smith (arm) were placed on injured reserve. Wide receiver Johnny Jones was waived injured and if he is not claimed by another team he will go on Dallas' injured-reserve list.
