From: mas@aero.org (Marcus A.Shaw)
Subject: Re: Dallas Q & A :  Part II
Organization: The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 16:20:26 GMT

>>Irvin and Novacek, on the other hand, are much
>>less likely to sign.  I believe that Novacek will be in before Irvin;
>>I see Irvin as much less likely to bend to the coaches threats.  Even
>>though Novacek has a stronger bargaining position, everything I have
>>seen indicates that the he and the Cowboys are closer to a deal than
>>Irvin.  I am not sure Irvin is asking for realistic money at all.
>
>Agreed...Novacek can get the money he wants because there is not one 
>comparable to replace him.  Irvin is another story...It has been reported
>that he rejected a contract worth 1.2 million a year because a third of
>that money was incentives.  He wants more money than what Rison rejected.
>Thats a lot of money...but don't you think that he's worth it?  If Ace 

I think he might be worth 1.2 million with the way the way the
incentives are strucutured, but he is not worth that straight out.
His contract last year was not that big, and getting a raise over a
single season of production is silly.  Irvin has not been a super
receiver for but one season, and paying him like Jerry Rice or Al
Toon is asking for trouble from your other players.  He is still a
player that has a history of injuries (both large and small) and must
have another good year to get Rice type money.  IMHO

>doesn't pan out then you got Martin and Harper.  (Is Smith still injured?
>If not how's he doing in camp?)  I think that Irvin is an integral part of 

Smith should return in 2-3 weeks.

>the team as a player and a leader.  He has a very strong work ethic that 
>has to rub off onto the other players.  I hate to see a long drawn out
>holdout that could create bad blood between Irvin and the JJ's.  It's times
>like these that I think the JJ's aren't as smart as everyone nowseems to 

A bonus for a good season is one thing, a huge pay raise is out of
line with the NFL's screwed up salary strucutre.  We should talk about
fair salaries when the rookies get the money they deserve and much
less than the veterans...

>think.  I feel that they don't treat their vets like they deserve to be 
>treated.  If we're "stuck" without Irvin, the team isn't in trouble...it 
>has very talented and capable receivers down the depth chart.  Without 
>Irvin though, the team is missing a star player with leadership, flash, and
>the desire and ability to win.
>

No disagreement here.  I just think that the pay raise that he is
asking for is a little outrageous compared to what he made last year.
One more year is all he should have to wait.  I say sign a one year
deal like Rypien did....

The Cowboys can win without him, and Novacek will mean more in terms
of leadership than Irvin ever will.  Sure his brand of enthusiasm is
infectious, but let get the money he deserves based on that season,
and not on a projected career...

*ice*

p.s. this in no way means that I WANT to win without him.  Irvin is
still the best WR the Cowboys have.  Hardball is hardball, and JJ has
a salary structure to bear that is out of line with most NLF teams due
to his high rookie signings.....
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