At least publicly. When cameras aren't around, the Cowboys are likely already assessing how Saturday impacted them, because this is their business and this is what they do.

What they worry about: If they have to fix what they thought had been fixed.

It's better they not say this out loud yet, and Jerry Jones knows. He was at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, enjoying himself, when news came that the Cowboys' practice structure had collapsed on players, coaches, media and staff.

Just 10 minutes later he was standing with NBC's Bob Costas for an interview. No one knew the extent of the injuries - or if anyone had died - and yet Costas chose to preface his question about the terrifying accident this way:

"Before we talk about the Cowboys' home opener in their spectacular new stadium on Sunday, Sept. 20th, 'Sunday Night Football,' on NBC against the Giants ... "

What was Costas thinking? He could have mentioned a few sponsors.

So sometimes the wrong things are said. And sometimes, even if care is taken, the next comment or paragraph is likely to be out of place.

That's the nature of sports. Few activities can look so deadly serious, then become comically trivial when life's events step in.

This time the two mixed, all within one man. Joe DeCamillis, 43, was supposed to be the coaching solution. Now he's part of the tragedy.

He underwent what they termed "successful" surgery Monday to stabilize a fractured vertebra in his neck. There were no signs of paralysis, and he remains in stable condition.

He should be released from the hospital later this week, and here's wishing him well. Here's also wishing others could have seen him Saturday morning before the storm hit.

Then, DeCamillis looked like everything the Cowboys had hoped he would be. He was vibrant, yelling and putting the rookies into proper positions. Had those unfamiliar with the Cowboys sat in on practice, they would have thought DeCamillis was the Dallas head coach.

That's possible with nearly anyone, of course, with Wade Phillips around. And that's a reason the Cowboys brought in DeCamillis. After an awful season of special-teams play, they needed an experienced, active leader to revamp this

area.

DeCamillis had the

r?sum?. He got his career break by becoming Dan Reeves' son-in-law, and he followed Reeves from Denver to New York to Atlanta. But he earned his place over 21 years, always on special teams.

Surely he could improve a Dallas group that ranked 29th in average starting field position and 22nd in net punting, right?

"I'm not a savior," DeCamillis told the Dallas Morning News just a day before the collapse.

Jones wouldn't mind a savior, and he gave DeCamillis the resources. The Cowboys didn't mind picking low in the draft, in part, to find special-team players.

So there DeCamillis was on Saturday with his rookies, just beginning this journey, when the wind blew, and lives changed.

Everyone roots for him to get better.

The Cowboys , privately, still ROOT for him to make them better.

bharvey@express-news.net