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Thursday, May 15, 1997

Report: Michael Irvin wants out of Dallas

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin, highly scrutinized through a year of off-the-field troubles, has asked to be traded, The Dallas Morning News reported today.

The newspaper, which said it could not reach Irvin for comment, cited three sources it did not identify for the report.

"It's a non-issue," team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said. "That's the organization's response. (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones refuses to comment because there's nothing there."

Irvin, 31, served a five-game suspension at the start of last season for conduct detrimental to the NFL. The suspension followed his no-contest plea for a cocaine possession charge.

He also became the target of a murder-for-hire plot involving a Dallas police officer and was one of two players named by a woman who alleged she was raped. The woman later recanted her story and is facing a perjury charge this month.

There have been reports that Irvin is frustrated by public scrutiny related to the past year's events.

He did not attend the Cowboys' first offseason minicamp two weeks ago. Coach Barry Switzer said Irvin was completing his community-service requirements.

Several factors make it unlikely the Cowboys would or could trade the five-time Pro Bowl receiver. First among them is the effect that could have on the team's salary cap.

Two years ago, Irvin signed a five-year contract that included a $4.5 million signing bonus. If he were traded, his bonus would count $2.7 million against the Cowboys' 1997 salary cap of $41.45 million.

Irvin's legal troubles also work against a trade. He received four years probation, 800 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine after pleading no-contest to cocaine possession last July.

Under the terms of his probation, he must notify his probation officer of any changes in his home or employment address and must receive written permission from the court to travel outside of Dallas County.

State District Judge Manny Alvarez said Wednesday that Irvin has completed nearly half of his community service. He has until Jan. 1, 2000 to complete his service at a minimum of 20 hours per month.