This Page Full-Screen | Your Link Here

Wednesday, June 16, 1999

Unhappy mini-campers: Cowboys deal with Michael Irvin; Randall Godfrey leaves

By David Moore

The Dallas Morning News

IRVING — Owner Jerry Jones believes Michael Irvin has earned the right to sort through his emotions and come to terms with his role for the Cowboys.

That doesn't mean Jones believes Irvin is entitled to an extension.

This message came through loud and clear Tuesday as the team kicked off a three-day mini-camp. After a meeting that lasted more than an hour-and-a-half and caused Irvin to miss the morning workout, Jones continued to tread lightly when discussing the receiver's future. Jones cautioned that his talks with Irvin should not be characterized as negotiations and said no one should assume the issues that trouble Irvin are resolved simply because he took part in the afternoon workout.

“This year, specifically, he's got a good contract and a good situation in my mind, and he ought to be able to go play ball,” Jones said. “We're just making sure we're all reading from the same book here on how we want to approach this season as it relates to Michael.”

Irvin's status wasn't the only topic on this hectic day at Valley Ranch. Linebacker Randall Godfrey, still upset over his one-year tender offer of $429,000, refused to sign his contract and left the complex after attending the opening team meeting. It's unknown if he will change his mind and compete in the final two days.

The Cowboys signed kicker Richie Cunningham to a one-year $325,000 contract, waived backup fullback Nicky Sualua saying Sualua's presence during the drug-induced death of former Cowboy Mark Tuinei had nothing to do with the decision and watched as cornerback Charlie Williams fractured his left radius (forearm) in the afternoon workout. Williams could be out for six to eight weeks, which would still give him time to recover and participate in the early part of training camp.

Still, it was Irvin's unsettled situation that captured most of the attention.

Irvin walked by reporters without comment at the conclusion of the afternoon session. Jones declined to discuss specifics but did reveal portions of his conversation with the the leading receiver in club history.

Jones spoke of how “this is 1999, not 1992” in terms of Irvin's role and discussed how the league in general was moving away from the concept of a primary receiver, as offensive coordinators now like to spread the ball around. Unlike Jay Novacek and Charles Haley, former Cowboys who wrestled with a diminished role in later years because of injuries, Jones said he believed Irvin still could make a strong contribution.

“I think Michael deserves and has earned the right to sort through and feel comfortable regarding his role and the direction the offense is going,” Jones said. “I don't view it as a lack of respect or sensitivity on his part . . .

“This is all legitimate. He's not asking to change anything. He just wants to talk about it.”

Godfrey, meanwhile, didn't do a lot of talking Tuesday other than to inform the club he wouldn't sign. Jones said the $429,000 is firm and anticipates Godfrey will play for the Cowboys this season.

“He was ready to sign and had a change of heart,” said Ben Dogra, Godfrey's agent. “He still doesn't feel comfortable with it.

“Nothing should be read into it. At the last minute, he just didn't feel comfortable. I advised him not to do it until he was comfortable with it. He understands the system has put him in this position, but he still doesn't like it.”

As for Sualua, his hold on a job with the Cowboys began slipping before his ill-fated evening with Tuinei.

“Nicky has been released over football considerations,” Jones said. “It's about football. It's not about anything else.”

With Irvin, it's about accepting a new role and completing the final year of a contract that pays him $2.9 million in base salary. Jones didn't offer any assurance, but he didn't rule out that Irvin could finish his career with the Cowboys.

“Under the right set of circumstances, that would be great for both Michael and the Cowboys,” Jones said. “In a manner of speaking, that's the way it should be.”

(c) 1999, The Dallas Morning News.

Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at http://www.dallasnews.com/

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.