kpholmes Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Oh brother... The Cowboys just have to stay in the spotlight don't they? DALLAS (AP) - The first time Michael Irvin watched "American Idol," he loved the concept of giving undiscovered singers the chance to become stars. Now Irvin is doing the same for NFL wannabes. The Hall of Fame receiver is launching a reality TV show in which 12 "football neophytes" will compete for an impressive grand prize: a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' training camp roster. "I don't know if you can walk upon any group of guys that wouldn't say they dreamed of playing in the NFL when they were playing in their front yard," Irvin told The Associated Press on Thursday. "So we're going to take a group of guys from their front yard, dwindle them to one and give that guy the opportunity of a lifetime." The Cowboys confirmed that one of their 80 roster spots will go to the show's winner, but team owner Jerry Jones was not available for further comment. The NFL did not immediately return a call. The show, which doesn't yet have a title, will air this spring on Spike. It is being produced by the same company that's behind "The Biggest Loser" and many other reality TV hits. Contestants are still being selected. They likely will need a football background — just not too much. They also must be the right age, size and condition to handle an NFL training camp. The Cowboys open camp in late July in San Antonio. "We want someone who will have a real opportunity to make the team," Irvin said. He also indicated the better the back story, the better an applicant's chance of making the show. "You could've played college ball and had to give up for some reason," he said. "You know how many stories are out there of players who for some reason or another had to walk away from the game. ... We want to find those guys." Irvin will be the host and he expects to have guest appearances from friends like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders and Jerry Jones. Judges will include Jones and former players and coaches. The show will pit six receivers and six defensive backs. As for how they will compete, all Irvin would say is, "Tune in and watch. It'll be groundbreaking in so many ways." The winner's biggest payoff will be the fulfillment of playing for the Cowboys. While the rookie minimum is about $300,000, that's only if he makes the team. The salary in training camp is closer to $1,000 a week for an undrafted rookie. Irvin said this is about far more than money. It's the chance to catch passes from Tony Romo or to line up opposite Terrell Owens. "What young man do you know that's not going to read (about this show), then head straight to the gym and say, 'I'm going to get ready?"' Irvin said. "That's how this will inspire people." Considering the Cowboys are coming off a disappointing season filled with all sorts of turmoil, adding a player more likely to be profiled in "People" than "Sports Illustrated" seems risky. It could be perceived as just another sideshow, like the cameras from HBO's "Hard Knocks" that tracked the team in training camp last year. Yet Irvin, who hosts a local radio show that spends a lot of time analyzing the Cowboys, dismissed that notion. "I don't see how you can make this a negative for the Dallas Cowboys," he said. "We all talk of doing good things for the community, for people, giving people opportunities. Jerry has stepped up and said, 'OK, let's do it."' Even if this is considered a well-intentioned publicity stunt, the Cowboys could be accused of wasting a roster spot, which may not be so trivial. Just last spring the league considered proposals to expand training camp rosters from 80 players to 86, to replace the spots lost by the end of NFL Europa. Players who went overseas were exempt from the training-camp roster count, and teams could send up to six. Tampa Bay even wanted to up the roster limit to 90. But now Dallas will essentially be going with 79. Team spokesman Rich Dalrymple compared this "signing" to when the Cowboys added a Mexican national player before an American Bowl exhibition game in Mexico in the 1990s. Dallas also signed two Japanese players before a 2000 game in Tokyo, but they'd played in Europe and were roster exemptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 [starts doing situps] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunysteelfly76 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 "You could've played college ball and had to give up for some reason," he said. "You know how many stories are out there of players who for some reason or another had to walk away from the game. ... We want to find those guys." I kind of like the idea. I watch other reality TV shows so I would definitely watch this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Posted here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I love the Cowboys ( i actually hate them but they are an enjoyable soap opera ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I can't wait to see how this implodes!! Only the Cowboys. What kind of scandal is the winner going to become involved in? Bets, anyone?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Posted here My title generated more interest apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Now THIS is a show I would have loved to work on. As long as we don't see 300lb men crying cause they can't take the training or whatever, this might make some pretty entertaining television. Edited January 23, 2009 by tazinib1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboysDiehard Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Sigh, the circus continues.... 6 DBs and 6 WRs. If any of those guys are 300 lbs, then I WOULD have to watch! Edited January 23, 2009 by CowboysDiehard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Can we just forget American Idol and leave it at that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Waiting for Mickey Spagnolia to defend this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 what's not to like about someone who would not have a big ego, would know he was living out a dream that is only temporary and would appreciate getting an opportunity. Heck, if the guy made the team he may not even know to stop trying in December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Can we just forget American Idol and leave it at that? Never :shebangshebang: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 what's not to like you had me at hello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 It has begun: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tfr/1027750425.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 just what the world needs. 1) more michael irvin on TV 2) more dallas cowboys soap operas 3) more reality TV awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I wonder if they have any interest in a mid/late 30s WR prospect who's 6'4", 235lbs and can neither jump particularly high or run particularly fast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 what's not to like about someone who would not have a big ego, would know he was living out a dream that is only temporary and would appreciate getting an opportunity. Heck, if the guy made the team he may not even know to stop trying in December. It has "Invincible" written all over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donutrun Jellies Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 The final episode where they each given an unregistered handgun, a trampy mistress, 3 grams of coke, and a bale of Josh Gordon and have to commit the most attention-getting crime will be fascinating to watch ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboysDiehard Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Waiting for Mickey Spagnolia to defend this... No doubt, brother. I shudder when I imagine the dirt Jerry Jones must have on him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Now Mark Wahlberg is going to be a Cowboy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 It has begun: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tfr/1027750425.html I wonder how many of these players will be better than Troy Williamson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrograde assault Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Cowboys have finally outdone Ringling Brothers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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