AUSTIN, Texas (KRT) - As with every opening day of an NFL training camp,
oddities and exceptions gain headline status in the absence of anything
important taking place. So it was Wednesday with the Cowboys when the team
reported to its pre-season base at St. Edward's University.
The usual traditions were observed. There was the annual running of the
bulls, an exercise borrowed from Spain and adapted in domestic form to feature
waves of mini-cams and microphones in panting pursuit of Cowboys' players.
Arriving players were filmed in the provocative act of riding in cars and
walking to their dormitories.
Special teams coach Joe Avezzano told of dropping some music videos as he
unloaded belongings. Avezzano looked up to see four cameras trained to capture
his pick-up moves. As a backdrop to these dramatic scenes, autograph seekers
squeaked and squealed from quarantined areas beyond a fence line.
The sound of music announced the coming of Deion Sanders in his black Mercedes-model
golf cart, complete with stereo system, tinted windows and mist-dispenser.
The vanity license plate read "Fulltime" to connect with Sanders'
expanded role as a two-way performer. Modesty forebade Sanders from making
more of a spectacle of himself.
Owner Jerry Jones and Coach Barry Switzer held their normal hi-there news
conference that attracted newsfolks from exotic locations such as New York,
Newark and Lubbock. The Cowboys issued 200 media credentials, and apparently
all of them showed up to hear Jerry and Barry. Wars have been declared before
smaller audiences.
Jones and Switzer were asked the standard questions relating to the state
of the Cowboys, with emphasis on any player who's not there. This year it's
Michael Irvin who is in the state of Florida following probation settlement
of his trial in Dallas for felony possession of cocaine.
Irvin's absence drew repeated inquiries as to when Jones and Switzer expect
the receiver to appear here. Or if they anticipated him coming at all. Neither
offered a straight answer that included a time frame. This meant they didn't
know, or if they knew they wouldn't say, even though both saw Irvin briefly
Tuesday night at a Super Bowl ring distribution party in Dallas.
Switzer said the matter of Irvin reporting to training camp didn't arise
during their conversation: "I was surprised Michael showed up (at the
ring ceremony). He came late. I knew he was going to Miami to be with his
family, and told him that was the best thing for him to do."
The coach foresaw Irvin returning when his mind could concentrate on football:
"The key thing is for Michael to be ready mentally. I'm not worried
about the time frame of when he comes. We play five (pre-season) games,
and he didn't play much, anyway. I know he'll be in great physical condition."
Jones expressed confidence in Irvin's return here but also spoke vaguely
of when he might appear. Jones said he had "no indication" of
an approximate date for an Irvin sighting. Yet he sounded cheered at the
eventual prospect.
"I feel good enough about him playing for the Cowboys this season that
the fact he's in Florida and not here isn't an issue of concern for me,"
Jones said.
Yes, but Jones was convinced during the pre-testimony phase of Irvin's legal
snare that the receiver would play through 16 regular-season games. Now
it is evident he won't. Irvin will be fortunate to be eligible for as many
as 10.
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will render a decision on the length of
Irvin's suspension. Jones said Irvin is to handle his own defense and that
the Cowboys have not been asked to submit documents or testimony on his
behalf.
Tagliabue rendered a relatively quick verdict in the misdemeanor marijuana
possession case of Bam Morris. Within two weeks of Morris' guilty plea,
the commissioner set him down for four games. Jones expects equal haste.
"I don't think this will drag on," he said.
Jones further expects a fair verdict from Tagliabue, with whom he has feuded
about NFL merchandising philosophy. Jones predicted Irvin's suspension would
not be tainted by Jones' oft-testy relationship with the commissioner.
"I know firsthand that he deals fairly and evenhandedly with player
situations," Jones said. "He doesn't take other league issues
into account."
Thus passed the first official day of training camp for the 1996 Cowboys
as sundown approached. Somebody was probably filming that, too.
(Frank Luksa is a sports columnist for the Dallas Morning News. Write to
him at: Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, Dallas, Texas 75265.)