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Tuesday, July 15, 1997

LaFleur a no-show at Cowboys rookie training camp

IRVING, Texas (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys' first-round draft pick officially became a holdout Monday.

David LaFleur, the tight end from LSU, was a no-show when the Cowboys opened their four-day rookie camp at Valley Ranch Monday. The team has signed its eight other draft choices.

Those signed included defensive tackle Antonio Anderson of Syracuse, wide receiver Macey Brooks of James Madison, linebacker Dexter Coakley of Appalachian State, guard Steve Scifres of Wyoming, safety Omar Stoutmire of Fresno State, fullback Nicky Sualua of Ohio State, and cornerbacks Lee Vaughn of Wyoming and Kenny Wheaton of Oregon.

Dallas also signed offensive lineman Harry Stamps, a free agent from Oklahoma, and waived tight end Kendall Watkins.

Watkins, a second-round pick out of Mississippi State in 1995, hurt his knee last July in Mexico in an exhibition game against the Kansas City Chiefs. His release leaves Eric Bjornson as the only tight end on the team with NFL experience.

The Cowboys were talking to Scott Galbraith, who played with Washington last year. Galbraith has played for the Cowboys and knows the system.

The Cowboys open training camp later this week at St. Edwards University in Austin.

LaFleur, the 22nd selection overall, is the lone holdout so far.

"I'm disappointed nothing has been done yet," LaFleur said. "And I really be disappointed if I'm not there for training camp on Friday."

He wasn't the only one disappointed.

"We're disappointed because this guy is a guy who has more of a chance to help our football team, realistically, of all the players we drafted," coach Barry Switzer said.

"I hope that he and his agent and our organization can reach terms quickly, because he's missing some valuable time."

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was on hand to work out with the rookies Monday.

"There are always going to be a few things that you're not real pleased with," quarterback Troy Aikman said. "You still have some guys that aren't here right now, but that happens every year. So I think that going into camp everybody feels pretty good about it."

One of those players missing was Michael Irvin.

"I don't want to talk about Michael," Aikman said. "I'm not interested in talking about Michael."

Owner Jerry Jones said he has communicated with Irvin, but he declined to say how and elaborate on what was said. However, Jones said he expects to see Irvin in Austin.

Irvin's situation improved somewhat Monday when prosecutors declined to file assault charges against him for a June 1 incident at a San Francisco nightclub.

Assistant District Attorney Chuck Haines said the case came down to Irvin's word against the complainant, Aaron Waller, 31, who told police the All-Pro receiver punched him and held him captive in a club basement after a dispute over a cellular phone.

Irvin, who could have faced kidnapping and battery charges, strenuously denied the accusation at a news conference last month in Dallas after the complaint was made public.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys scheduled a Tuesday news conference where veteran defensive lineman Charles Haley and tight end Jay Novacek were expected to officially announce their retirements.