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10/71/797

Irvin waffling on return; Cowboys signing first-round draft pick

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Michael Irvin was waffling on whether to return to an active role with the Dallas Cowboys, while first-round draft pick David LaFleur agreed today to a $5.3 million deal that will bring the team badly needed versatility at tight end.

Irvin, who has been contemplating retirement and has two years remaining in a five-year contract, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he was scheduled to meet with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones later today.

Team spokesman Brett Daniels said he was unaware of any meeting. But Jones said he did plan to speak with Irvin at some point about his future.

"I'm ready to play some football," Irvin told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in an interview published today. "I needed the last couple of months to clear up some things in my head because it is important that I come back with the same type of fire and desire that I have always played with."

Later, on a Dallas call-in radio talk show, the former All-Pro receiver cautioned that he's not yet back in action.

"I want anyone who's listening to understand that this does put me in a situation that again I don't want to be in," he told radio station KLIF. "Because, understand what I'm saying, if I had something to say, I would say it. But when I didn't say anything, don't write that I did."

The Star-Telegram reported Irvin planned to rejoin the team in time for the opening of training camp Friday in Austin. Irvin missed part of training camp last year after pleading no contest to felony drug possession charges.

LaFleur, the lone holdout among Cowboys draft picks, is at rookie camp after negotiations with the team and agent Mark Bartelstein wrapped up Wednesday night.

Bartelstein said talks over the future of the former Louisiana State star were stuck for a time over money and the contract length. The decision "after a lot of time and effort" was for $5,325,000 over five years, he said.

"In the end, the dollars came up a little bit," Bartelstein said. "The Cowboys had wanted a five-year deal and we were reluctant.

"But David wanted to be in camp, they wanted him to be there and so both sides showed flexibility and we got the deal done," he said.

The Cowboys are hopeful LaFleur, the 22nd pick overall, could fill some of the void left by tight end Jay Novacek's retirement.