By Scott Symmes
NFL.com
(Oct. 21, 1999) — While University of Michigan
defenders were slipping and sliding on the wet
artificial surface, Notre Dame sophomore Raghib
"Rocket" Ismail glided almost effortlessly to the
end zone, running so fast the TV cameras could
barely keep pace.
It was September of 1989, and Ismail had just
scored the first of his two kickoff returns for
touchdowns, sparking the defending national
champion Fighting Irish to a 24-19 victory.
The Rocket was already well known, but his All-American collegiate
career was impeccably well documented from that point on. So was
his decision to join the CFL instead of Al Davis' Los Angeles Raiders
after his junior season. When he did finally join the Raiders after two
productive years with the Toronto Argonauts, Ismail provided steady
offense, but never the dominance many expected.
That could change this season.
Signed by the Dallas Cowboys in April, Ismail appears to be playing
with a newfound swagger and confidence. On opening day, Ismail
burst onto the scene in old Rocket-like fashion when he caught the
game-winning, 76-yard touchdown pass against the Washington
Redskins.
Through five games, Ismail leads the Cowboys with 24 receptions and
ranks sixth in the NFC with 450 receiving yards.
"Rocket is a playmaker," Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey said. "From
the start, I said we'd use all of our people, but I'm searching for more
and more ways to use this guy."
Gailey's been trying even harder to utilize Ismail's talents since
superstar wideout Michael Irvin sustained a serious neck injury against
the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 10. Not only has Ismail become
quarterback Troy Aikman's main target, he's also become a
morale-booster in the locker room.
"His addition to the club has given us a tremendous advantage,"
Aikman said of his new weapon. "A quality person, a great guy who
not only wants to do well, he also works at being a success. He's not
quiet with us, he's quiet with (reporters)."
Ismail has made a voluntary attempt to move away from the limelight.
He wasn't always comfortable in the public glare. The attention he
received at Notre Dame was relentless, demanding and not always
positive. And, as a result, Ismail now treats members of the media like
defensive backs, using his cunning elusiveness to counter their every
move.
Ismail's media policy is nothing personal. He simply prefers to use his
play on the field to communicate to the world. It's a philosophy that
has worked just fine for him lately.
The Rocket enjoyed a career year with the Carolina Panthers in 1998
(69 catches for 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns), which convinced
the Cowboys that he was the deep threat they've been actively
seeking for years.
Besides the season opener in which he
had eight catches, Ismail has caught
more than five passes in only one other
game this season. However, his
receptions often lead to points on the
scoreboard.
Ismail had four catches for 74 yards in
the 13-10 loss to the New York Giants
on Monday night. His first reception of
the game, a 24-yarder in the first
quarter, set up Richie Cunningham's
38-yard field goal that gave Dallas an
early lead. On Dallas' only TD drive of
the evening, Ismail contributed with a
16-yard catch that moved the Cowboys inside the Giants' 20-yard
line.
In Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, Ismail had a 63-yard TD
reception in the second quarter that gave the Cowboys a commanding
lead. He also had catches of 19 and 14 yards, both of which set up
scores in a 35-7 victory.
Ismail's career with the Cowboys actually had an inauspicious
beginning. He sprained his left shoulder in training camp and played
little in the preseason games. He re-aggravated the injury in Week 2
against the Atlanta Falcons. But without Irvin and rookie wide receiver
Wane McGarity, who separated his right shoulder against the Giants,
the Cowboys desperately need a healthy Ismail in their lineup. His
ability to spread defenses also has a significant impact on Emmitt
Smith and the running game.
"Chan wants to get Rocket the ball," Aikman said. "You'd be foolish not
to. We've had guys in the past with his speed, but not in knowing how
to set up (a defender), or in running routes."
If the Giants game was any indication, Ismail needs another big
performance to keep opposing defenses honest. New York routinely
stacked the offensive line, holding Smith to only 22 yards on 26
carries. On Sunday, the Cowboys go up against a defense that they
already torched for 541 yards this season as the Redskins travel to
Texas for a rematch.
It could be another opportunity for the Rocket to continue his launch
back into the national spotlight, even if it's something he's not fully
willing to embrace.
