I Hate the Dallas Cowboys

If syndicated sportswriter Sugar had wielded his blue pencil more judiciously, this anthology would have been improved. With articles by 10 top writers like Jim Murray, Budd Schulberg and Skip Bayless and 10 top ex-players like Mercury Morris, Jerry Kramer and Greg Buttle, the book could have been exceptional if some of the contributors had not been allowed to ride their personal hobby-horses. Two of the former gridders included are Cowboy haters (because, the reader suspects, they were never chosen to play in Dallas). And several contributors argue that the Cowboys' appropriation of the sobriquet ""America's Team"" is wrong because other teams are more deserving of that designation: among the nominees are the Redskins, Steelers, Eagles, Packers, Bills and Bears. But those not pursuing a personal agenda agree that the image of the Dallas team has altered considerably since it began--it has gone downhill. While in the past the Cowboys were thought to present a picture of hard-hitting but ethical players, today, with arrogant drug users dominating, a few essayists suggest that the title ""South America's Team"" is more accurate. Buttle, Morris, Murray and Schulberg stand out, but otherwise the book is a disappointment. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Dec.)