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What he meant to the Cowboys
[size=-1]By Clarence E. Hill Jr.[/size]
[size=-1]Star-Telegram Staff Writer[/size]
Michael Irvin wasn't the greatest of "The Triplets," but as the team's inspirational leader, he was the heart and soul of the championship teams. Although he clearly went too far at times, the Cowboys were a family that partied together mainly because of Irvin. He inspired his teammates in practice with his intense work ethic. And he brought it all together on game day with his emotional and endless chatter, not to mention his penchant for coming through in the clutch.
Players he emulated
Art Monk Like Irvin, Monk wasn't blessed with great speed. But he was the hardest of workers, who used desire, size and great technique to excel. Just the same, nobody outworked Irvin.
Paul Warfield Why not? Irvin, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was 8 during Warfield's last season with the Miami Dolphins. Warfield's Hall of Fame bio reads "fast, super-smooth, precise pattern runner, sure-handed, excellent blocker." Save for the speed, sounds as if Irvin was a spitting image of Warfield on the field.
Charley Taylor The Hall of Famer from Grand Prairie brought size and speed to the position. At 6-foot-3, he was too big and too physical for most cornerbacks to handle, just as Irvin was a couple of decades later.
Top five moments
Sept. 20, 1992 Records eight catches for a career-high 210 yards and three touchdowns against Phoenix.
Jan. 31, 1993 Helps lead "The Triplets" to their first Super Bowl title with two touchdown catches in a 52-17 victory over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII.
Nov. 6, 1995 Catches eight passes for 115 yards against Philadelphia to tie the NFL record of seven consecutive 100-yard games.
Dec. 3, 1995 With 101 yards on 10 catches against Washington, he sets the NFL record for 100-yard games in a season (11).
Dec. 25, 1995 Catches five passes for 82 yards against Arizona to establish single-season franchise records for receptions (111) and yards (1,603) in a season in which he also becomes the club's career leader in catches and yards.
Players in his mold
Keyshawn Johnson Johnson acknowledges patterning his game after Irvin's. Both are big receivers who have the gift for gab and the knack for making the big play.
Muhsin Muhammad Muhammad, like Irvin, has the size to catch the slant in traffic. He is a chain-moving target who doubles as a possession receiver, and he also can make big plays down the field.
Terrell Owens Like Irvin, Owens is so big he outmuscles defensive backs. Like Irvin, he wants the ball all the time. Like Irvin, he is among the hardest workers on the team. Like Irvin, he is a lightning rod for controversy.
[size=-1]By Clarence E. Hill Jr.[/size]
[size=-1]Star-Telegram Staff Writer[/size]
Michael Irvin wasn't the greatest of "The Triplets," but as the team's inspirational leader, he was the heart and soul of the championship teams. Although he clearly went too far at times, the Cowboys were a family that partied together mainly because of Irvin. He inspired his teammates in practice with his intense work ethic. And he brought it all together on game day with his emotional and endless chatter, not to mention his penchant for coming through in the clutch.
Players he emulated
Art Monk Like Irvin, Monk wasn't blessed with great speed. But he was the hardest of workers, who used desire, size and great technique to excel. Just the same, nobody outworked Irvin.
Paul Warfield Why not? Irvin, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was 8 during Warfield's last season with the Miami Dolphins. Warfield's Hall of Fame bio reads "fast, super-smooth, precise pattern runner, sure-handed, excellent blocker." Save for the speed, sounds as if Irvin was a spitting image of Warfield on the field.
Charley Taylor The Hall of Famer from Grand Prairie brought size and speed to the position. At 6-foot-3, he was too big and too physical for most cornerbacks to handle, just as Irvin was a couple of decades later.
Top five moments
Sept. 20, 1992 Records eight catches for a career-high 210 yards and three touchdowns against Phoenix.
Jan. 31, 1993 Helps lead "The Triplets" to their first Super Bowl title with two touchdown catches in a 52-17 victory over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII.
Nov. 6, 1995 Catches eight passes for 115 yards against Philadelphia to tie the NFL record of seven consecutive 100-yard games.
Dec. 3, 1995 With 101 yards on 10 catches against Washington, he sets the NFL record for 100-yard games in a season (11).
Dec. 25, 1995 Catches five passes for 82 yards against Arizona to establish single-season franchise records for receptions (111) and yards (1,603) in a season in which he also becomes the club's career leader in catches and yards.
Players in his mold
Keyshawn Johnson Johnson acknowledges patterning his game after Irvin's. Both are big receivers who have the gift for gab and the knack for making the big play.
Muhsin Muhammad Muhammad, like Irvin, has the size to catch the slant in traffic. He is a chain-moving target who doubles as a possession receiver, and he also can make big plays down the field.
Terrell Owens Like Irvin, Owens is so big he outmuscles defensive backs. Like Irvin, he wants the ball all the time. Like Irvin, he is among the hardest workers on the team. Like Irvin, he is a lightning rod for controversy.