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Friday, November 14, 1997

Irvin, Green have had class duels

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Darrell Green hounding Michael Irvin. It's a sideshow at Dallas-Washington games usually worth the full price of admission.

There's 15-year veteran Green, all 5-foot-8, 184 pounds of him, dogging every move of the 10-year veteran Irvin, a strong 6-2, 207 pounds with big hands that can put a claw grip on a football.

It would seem Irvin has the advantage. But Green is faster and can read routes like no other cornerback in the NFL. His anticipation, timing and athleticism puts him on the ball like radar.

This battle will be joined Sunday when the Redskins come to Texas Stadium for a crucial NFC East matchup, unless the coaches decide to switch Cris Dishman to Irvin's side.

Irvin respects Green like no other defensive back in the league.

"I've had some big games against him and he's had some big games against me," Irvin said. "He brings a lot of wisdom into the games. Sometimes you don't know where he is until the ball is in the air and he comes out of nowhere to get it. He's always been faster than me and even though he's 37 years old he's still a speedster. He's something else."

Green also admires Irvin, one of the toughest receivers for him to handle.

"He's always exciting to go against one of the top players in the league," Green said. "He's just a great player. I consider him one of the top five receivers I've ever played against in the league. We've had a pretty good rivalry, that's for sure."

This year Irvin hasn't had a banner season by his standards as the Cowboys struggle at 5-5.

He has caught 46 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns and he's averaged 15.6 yards per catch. But Irvin and quarterback Troy Aikman haven't hooked up for critical touchdowns like in the past.

Green has been dynamite again in Washington's 6-4 campaign. He leads the team with 16 passes defensed although he hasn't intercepted one. He's the sixth-leading tackler on the team with 31.

"We're just trying to get our success up there where the Cowboys are," Green said. "The Cowboys have been in the playoffs the last umpteen years and that's where we would like to get. I do look forward to these games with the Cowboys."