Thursday, August 20, 1998

Cowboys Notes: Judge details McIver incident; two players cut, etc.

By Bart Hubbuch

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

State District Judge Manny Alvarez, who oversees Michael Irvin's probation, said everyone who was interviewed gave consistent accounts of what occurred in the July 29 dormitory incident that left guard Everett McIver with a deep cut on his neck.

The judge gave the following version of events:

"According to everyone that they talked to, they were standing in line to get a haircut and a tussle ... something about Irvin cutting in line because he was a senior player. And other players kind of taunted this new McIver saying, 'You aren't going to let that guy who weighs 100 pounds less than you get in front of you.' And a wrestling match ensued. Irvin had a pair of scissors in his hand to do the, you know, the haircut ... when they were rolling around all of a sudden McIver was bloodied. They stopped."

Judge Alvarez said McIver was not stabbed.

"He was cut," said Alvarez, who concluded Irvin did not violation the terms of his felony probation.

Two players cut

The Cowboys released free-agent punter Barry Cantrell and defensive end Herman Smith on Wednesday and moved rookie Michael Myers at least for the time being from tackle to weak-side defensive end, coach Chan Gailey said.

"The guy makes plays in games, and when a guy makes plays, you've got to get him on the field," Gailey said of Myers, a fourth-round pick from Alabama. "We want to put him at end for now and see if he can adjust to the position."

Gailey said free-agent end Brett Williams for the moment will be listed ahead of Myers at weak-side end. That means Williams probably will start Saturday's exhibition game in St. Louis if starter Kavika Pittman (sprained ankle) can't play, although Pittman returned to practice Wednesday.

The Cowboys cut Smith despite starting him for the injured Pittman in Monday's 21-3 exhibition loss to New England. Smith had just one tackle despite extensive playing time.

Confusion on Bates

The Cowboys have received conflicting reports from the NFL office regarding assistant coach Bill Bates' eligibility to come back as a player this season.

The league told the Cowboys last week they must decide Bates' playing status when they cut down to 60 players on Aug. 25. If a roster spot isn't reserved for Bates at that time, the NFL said he wouldn't be available to play at all this season.

The Cowboys since have heard differently from league officials and are awaiting a firm ruling, spokesman Brett Daniels said.

Bates hopes to play a franchise-record 16th season, but he became an assistant coach in July when the Cowboys chose not to re-sign him.

Running backs return

Running backs Emmitt Smith and Chris Warren returned to practice Wednesday after missing Monday's exhibition loss to New England with minor injuries.

Smith (thigh bruise) will start Saturday's pre-season game in St. Louis and is expected play at least the first half, coach Chan Gailey said. Warren (groin strain) will return to his role as the third-down back and might play some of the second half as the starter.

"There is no set amount (of playing time) for either one of them," Gailey said.

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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