AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Deion Sanders has managed to push fallen Cowboys
star Michael Irvin out of the limelight - at least temporarily.
As the Super Bowl champions arrived for camp Wednesday, Sanders showed up
with a custom-made Mercedes golf cart that even included a stereo system.
The vanity license plates for "Prime Time" read "Full Time."
Sanders, attending the first NFL camp of his athletic career, is being counted
on to help at wide receiver as well as cornerback this year.
"I haven't seen Deion's mode of transportation but I've heard about
it and can't wait to see it," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said. "We're
going to need some help on offense from Deion this year. Right now he is
an unknown at receiver, so we'll see what happens."
Sanders will be spending most of his time at wide receiver instead of defensive
back as Dallas prepares for the possibility Irvin might be suspended by
the NFL for at least four games for his no-contest plea on a drug possession
charge.
Irvin will spend some time in Miami and hasn't said when he will rejoin
the team.
Owner Jerry Jones said he suspected the club would hear the NFL's decision
soon.
"I don't think this will drag on," Jones said. "I think it
will be a prudent and quick decision."
Switzer expects Irvin to bounce back from his troubles.
"He always stays in good physical condition and I think he will be
in a lot better mental condition the next time we see him," Switzer
said.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team was to have its first workout at St. Edward's
University this morning. The Cowboys hold their annual Blue-White scrimmage
Sunday and play their first game July 27 at Texas Stadium against Oakland.
Emmitt Smith reported to camp although he still was waiting to sign a multiyear
contract. Smith is playing on the final year of his contract and would like
at least a five-year deal in the $30 million range.
"I'm not worried about a deal getting done," Smith said. "Jerry
takes care of his pivotal players."
Said Jones: "There is no time frame on this thing."
Kavika Pittman, the Cowboys' first pick in the draft, signed a four-year,
$2.3 million contract and was in camp. Pittman, a second-round pick, will
be counted on to give Tony Tolbert and Charles Haley some help at defensive
end. Third-round pick center Clay Shiver of Florida State also signed, giving
the Cowboys some needed depth in the offensive line.
Jones said the rest of the draft picks should be signed by the first workout
today.
Veteran defensive lineman Tony Casillas, who will play for the Cowboys a
second time, didn't report to camp. Casillas still has some medical tests
pending, Jones said.
Jones wouldn't make a prediction on the 1996 Dallas team.
"Time has flown by since we were walking off that field in Phoenix,"
he said. "We have a long journey ahead of us to win a fourth Super
Bowl in five years. We will have a lot of pressures on us. I'd like to bottle
what we did last year."
Switzer said the Cowboys will be a mystery team early in the year because
of losing five defensive players to free agency.
"No one can answer if we're going to be better than a year ago because
of our losses," Switzer said. "Everything remains to be seen.
But it should be fun and interesting. Winning back-to-back Super Bowls is
a challenge. But our team believes it is a realistic goal."