Irvin Finds That He Still Has Friends

DAVIE, Fla. — Michael Irvin was at an NFL camp Sunday.

It wasn’t the Dallas Cowboys’ camp, it was the Miami Dolphins, where he arrived with an entourage the size of Riddick Bowe’s and got the attention that usually attends two other superstar Michaels--Jordan and Jackson.

He also got a warm greeting from his old coach, Jimmy Johnson, who embraced Irvin when a play ended near where the All-Pro wide receiver was sitting.

“I didn’t worry me that he was here,” said Johnson, who coached Irvin both in Dallas and at the University of Miami. “He knows what I’m doing--he’s written a couple of my chapters.”

Irvin, who pleaded no contest last week to felony possession of cocaine and was sentenced to four years’ probation and 800 hours of community service, is home in Miami resting instead of training with the Cowboys’ in Austin, Texas. He is awaiting word on NFL discipline, which is likely to include at least a four-game suspension.

He sent word through Harvey Greene, the Dolphins’ director of public relations, that he would have nothing to say to the media. He did, however, sign autographs for so many fans and created such a crush in the grandstand adjoining the field that he was moved by the Dolphins to a private area reserved for players’ families and guests.

After the scrimmage he chatted with some friends among the Dolphins, including backup quarterback Bernie Kosar, a teammate both in Dallas and Miami, and defensive back Robert Bailey, another former Cowboy and Hurricane.

Johnson said he hadn’t talked to Irvin for quite a while; didn’t know he was coming, and only knew he was present was when he was told by trainer Kevin O’Neill, another former Cowboys employee.

“I care about the guy,” Johnson said of Irvin. “It has nothing to do with right or wrong.”

Then he added:

“But I’m not here to talk about Michael Irvin. I’m here to talk about my team.”