[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Monday, August 25, 1997

Passion is back: Michael Irvin is excited, ready to kick off season

By Bart Hubbuch

The Dallas Morning News

IRVING, Texas - Michael Irvin limits questions these days to football only. So far, there has been plenty to talk about.

Nearly three months after the Cowboys' Pro Bowl wide receiver claimed his numerous off-the-field woes had consumed his passion for the game, Irvin has been anything but dispassionate on the field.

In the mind-numbing heat of training camp in Austin, he caught nearly every pass thrown his way. Four pre-season appearances were no different, with Irvin catching 14 passes and averaging nearly 13 yards per reception in severely limited playing time.

"He looks like the Michael of old to me," Cowboys coach Barry Switzer said.

Irvin, who until last week had rarely spoken at length with the media this summer, insists the enthusiasm has returned because of what he sees around him.

In order, there is a fellow Pro Bowl receiver in Anthony Miller to relieve the constant double-teaming Irvin has faced the past two seasons. And there is the possibility that the Cowboys will throw the ball more this year than they have in Irvin's nine previous NFL seasons.

"It's been quite a while since we've added somebody who can impact the offense the way Anthony can," Irvin said Sunday as the Cowboys reached the 53-man roster limit before the Aug. 31 season opener in Pittsburgh. "The last time we did, it was guard Larry Allen, and that was, what, three or four years ago."

It was 1994, to be exact, and aside from winning another Super Bowl ring, the proceeding three years have been a nightmare for Irvin - mostly off the field.

This time last year, Irvin was set to begin a five-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and conduct detrimental to the league. The Cowboys went 2-3 in his absence and failed to reach the NFC title game for the first time since 1991.

"I'm very excited to get on with the regular season, to put the season in perspective some way," Irvin said. "I'd like to think that me not being on the field took something away from our team and me being on the field gives something to our team."

But it's when Irvin talks about his new counterpart in Miller - a five-time Pro Bowl pick signed after his release by the Denver Broncos - that his once-familiar smile truly returns.

Irvin said the two have become close friends since Miller's arrival in June, especially while Miller was sidelined until last week by arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

"In camp, Anthony was in my room all the time," Irvin said. "I would joke with him, saying, 'Anthony, I'm trying to get a nap. Don't keep me up.' Even this off-season, when I wasn't over here, Anthony would call and tell me that he was here and that we should do this thing together."

Irvin foresees that togetherness paying off collectively and individually after a suspension-shortened season that saw him record his fewest catches (64) and fewest receiving yards (962) since 1990.

Irvin's streak of five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons also was snapped, and his two touchdown catches tied a career low.

"I'm so excited about the opportunity to line up on the field with Anthony on the other side," Irvin said. "If teams want to roll their safety and double me, then let's make Anthony beat them up. Sooner or later, they'll start doubling him, then I'll get a chance. I'm counting on it going in cycles like that all season long."

Irvin is less forthcoming when asked if Miller can accept his apparent role as quarterback Troy Aikman's second option.

Miller insists he will have no problem playing in Irvin's shadow, despite a reputation in previous stops with San Diego and the Broncos of grumbling about his individual numbers.

"Anthony and I are both starters," Irvin said. "Who's No. 1 and who's No. 2 is impossible to say. He might not be the first option, but that might be more because of the way our offense is built than because of who he is and who I am."

The whole conversation - as long as it stays on football - leaves Irvin beaming.

"I can't wait to get the regular season started," he said.

(c) 1997, 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.