Getting the message on special teams

Special teams have been among the most improved areas for the Cowboys until last Sunday. Mistakes included a missed field-goal attempt, Terence Newman allowing the ball to sail over his head on the punt return, pinning Dallas at its 3, and Patrick Crayton fumbling a punt out of bounds. Adding veteran Allen Rossum, who ranks second in NFL return yards, makes sense on many levels. It also sends a strong message. "We've got to play smarter,'' linebacker Keith Brooking said Monday. ``You can't shoot yourself in the foot in this league. Very good football teams will slap you right upside the head.''