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Tuesday, June 3, 1997

Cowboys sign receiver Miller; Irvin misses mini-camp

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys signed free-agent wide receiver Anthony Miller on Monday. They're still waiting for Michael Irvin to show up.

Miller gives the Cowboys their first legitimate deep threat since Alvin Harper signed with Tampa Bay three years ago. Length and terms of the contract were not released, but Miller is believed to have signed a one-year contract worth about $600,000.

The Cowboys made room for Miller - released by Denver on Monday - by cutting 17-year veteran center Ray Donaldson, who was scheduled to make $800,000 this season. Donaldson still will count $166,000 against the Cowboys' salary cap.

Dallas also re-signed running back Herschel Walker and safety Bill Bates. Each signed one-year contracts for the NFL minimum of $275,000.

The Cowboys, who began their second off-season mini-camp on Monday, wanted Miller to practice, but Jones said he didn't officially clear waivers until about 5 p.m., so Dallas could not sign him until then.

Irvin, who has asked the Cowboys to trade him, is skipping the mini-camp.

Miller, entering his 10th season, comes to the Cowboys with solid NFL credentials: He has been to the Pro Bowl five times, recorded five 1,000-yard seasons and scored 59 touchdowns.

At 5-11 and 190 pounds, he is a speed receiver with a knack for making big plays. Miller has had at least one reception for 46 yards or more in eight of nine seasons.

Last year, he had seven receptions of at least 25 yards. Deion Sanders and Kevin Williams, who shared the Cowboys' flanker position, combined for only four.

Miller, though, also comes to the Cowboys with a reputation for being selfish. Twice during his three seasons with the Broncos, Miller publicly complained about not catching enough passes after Denver victories.

"Every receiver always wants the ball," Miller said, "but I don't think that I've been selfish about it. It bothers you when people say certain things, and they aren't true. I've worked too hard and played too well for something like that to happen."

Miller, who spent his first six seasons with San Diego, was always the Chargers' first option in the passing game. In Denver, he was often the second option behind tight end Shannon Sharpe.

In Dallas, he will be quarterback Troy Aikman's second option behind Irvin.

Last season, after the Broncos beat Baltimore, 45-34, and set a team record with 548 yards in total offense, Miller complained because he caught only one pass for 18 yards.

That, he said, will not happen in Dallas.

"Michael is the man here, and I know that," Miller said. "We aren't going to have any problems with that. I'm coming into a situation where I know what's going on.

"In Denver, they promised me 100 balls and then - bam - in the first game they weren't even utilizing my skills."

Soon after the season ended, Miller met with Denver coach Mike Shanahan and asked to be traded or released because he was unhappy with his role.

Miller's signing gives the Cowboys offense, which finished 24th in the NFL last season, a much-needed boost.

One of the problems with the Cowboys' offense last season was that when teams double-covered Irvin, Sanders and Williams could not consistently beat single coverage.

The Cowboys don't think Miller will have that problem.

"He gives us tremendous deep threat with experience, something we have not had in a long time," Aikman said. "He has clearly proven what he can do at this level. We could have arguably the best receiving core since I've been here."

While the Cowboys were pleased with the addition of Miller, coach Barry Switzer and owner Jerry Jones said they were disappointed that Irvin, who has asked for a trade and hinted at retirement, is not participating in the mini-camp.

Irvin could not be reached for comment and his agent, Steve Endicott, did not return phone messages to his office.

Aikman and running back Emmitt Smith each said they want Irvin to make a decision quickly about his future, so the Cowboys can plan theirs.

"Whatever decision is going to be made, it needs to be made in the next six weeks," running back Emmitt Smith said. "We want to go into training camp with a clear head. We don't have to worry about whether we have a certain player or not."

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

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