Irvin, Under Contract, Decides to Be a Holdout
Pro Bowl cornerback LeRoy Irvin, claiming to be the latest victim of Rams red tape, pleaded his case Monday in the form of a good old-fashioned training camp holdout.
Yes, another Ram holdout to put on the mantle next to Henry Ellard, Irv Pankey, Mike Lansford and draft choice Donald Evans.
The hitch here is that Irvin is actually signed to a contract, which makes him absent without an excuse. But it’s clear Irvin is unhappy about the contract extension he signed in the off-season.
Irvin’s wife, contacted Monday night, said her husband, after a meeting with his agent, decided he would not issue further comment on his holdout until later in the week.
Last March, Irvin agreed to a two-year extention that included a $300,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $325,000 in 1988 and $300,000 in 1989.
But Irvin reportedly is not happy with the last year on his existing contract, which will pay him $250,000 this season.
Ram Coach John Robinson was not sympathetic. In fact , he has not even phoned his cornerback to discuss the issue.
“He’s supposed to be here to work,” Robinson said. “When he comes in to work, I’ll talk to him.”
Robinson was quick to add that Irvin would be fined the team standard, $1,000 per day, and that fill-in cornerbacks Mickey Sutton and rookie Clifford Hicks had excellent practices Monday.
“You have to talk to him about what his problems are,” Robinson said of Irvin. “I have no comment relative to him. That’s our policy with players who are under contract.”
Robinson would only add that he was surprised by Irvin’s holdout. Others, though, saw it coming.
“I knew in the off-season he was displeased,” said safety Johnnie Johnson, who spoke with Irvin Sunday night. “My only concern was what people would think. He signed a contract and didn’t show up. But people handle it differently. He’s obviously one of the best cornerbacks in the league.”
Irvin, 29, has made the Pro Bowl the last two seasons, and last year finished second on the team with six interceptions.
His salary relative to his skill level is not very high by league standards. Of course, a lot of Ram players could make that claim. In fact, in one National Football League 1986 salary survey, Irvin was not listed among the 45 highest-paid defensive backs.
Most insiders, though, think that Irvin is only making a statement with his holdout and will be back in camp within a couple of days.
Johnson isn’t so sure.
“You never know when talking to LeRoy whether he’s serious,” he said. “But I think he’s serious about this.”
Ram Notes
Ram veterans have practiced only one day, but already some great matchups are brewing. The best is at inside linebacker, where Jim Collins is trying to win back his starting spot from Mark Jerue, who filled in admirably (109 tackles) last season for Collins, who missed the entire season with a nerve injury to his left shoulder. . . . Other battles shaping up are Mike Wilcher vs. Kevin Greene at right outside linebacker and converted nose tackle Shawn Miller vs. Reggie Doss at right defensive end. Wilcher and Miller have the early edge. . . . Running back Buford McGee is expected to miss a week of practice because of a hamstring injury. . . . Tight end Tony Hunter, recovering from off-season knee surgery, is only about 85% effective and will not likely contribute until after the Rams return from London on Aug. 10. . . . Rumors around the league have the Rams offering their two No. 2 picks next year for a quality receiver to replace holdout Henry Ellard. Of course, a great receiver, even if available, would command a salary comparable to what Ellard is asking. Another solution, of course, would be to keep the draft picks and sign Ellard. His agent, Mike Blatt, insists that the Rams have no interest in trading Ellard. . . . While Irv Pankey’s holdout continues, Duval Love fills in at left tackle. How valuable is Pankey? Though he didn’t make the Pro Bowl, he allowed only three one-half sacks last season.
