Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin is a finalist again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And by the numbers he should be. Irvin is the Cowboys all-time leading receiver with 750 catches for almost 12,000 yards & 65 touchdowns in his career.

Think of what a story this could be. An outstanding wide receiver which conquered his personal demons will live in football history in Canton. Sounds nice, right?

Irvin has had his fair-share of second chances. You would think he would have learned from his mistakes after drug arrests in 1996, 2000 & 2001.

But Irvin's arrest in December for misdemeanor drug paraphanelia reminds us of his past & leads us to assume he hasn't learned his lesson. Oh, don't forget the allegations of jury tampering in his 1996 trial which came to light a month ago as well.

The 39-member HOF selection committee seems to only be paying attention to Irvin's on-field accomplishments, by him making the cut as one of the 15 finalists in a year where there are numerous worth candidates. Can Irvin clear the next hurdle when the committee chooses a maximum of six inductees on Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl?

That's anybody's guess.

---

Yes, I am an Oakland Raiders fan. There wasn't much to cheer about in the 2005 season. So the HOF committee could really make the Raider nation smile by giving John Madden the nod next month.

Sure, Madden only has one Super Bowl ring, but his teams played in the AFC championship seven times in 10 years. Madden did this in an era when Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll were in the midst of their own hall of fame careers. Heck, Madden coached against 10 of the 20 coaches residing in the HOF & retired with a winning record against all of them.

Let him in!

---

Along with Irvin & Madden, other finalists include: Harry Carson, L.C. Greenwood, Russ Grimm, Claude Humphrey, Bob Kuechenberg, Art Monk, Warren Moon, Derrick Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Reggie White & Gary Zimmerman.

Where's Richard Dent? Kenny Stabler?

---

CUSA news:

Conference play opens up in basketball for most teams tonight. Memphis (13-2) is the real deal with a no. 5 national ranking & wins over Gonzaga, UCLA & Alabama. UAB (10-3) is likely second-best & should be a postseason team, although the loss of Demarrio Eddins hurts. Houston (9-3) made a brief statement last month cracking the top 25 before South Alabama brought them back to earth.

That's your top three. The rest of the order of finish is anyone's guess. UCF (6-6) had a last-second loss to Kentucky, which we are finding out is not as good as years past, but could make a run. Maybe it will be UTEP (7-5) which is trying to solve personnel problems... or Marshall (6-6) which fell just short of the upset against top 25-ranked George Washington.

Tulsa (5-8), Southern Miss (6-9) & Tulane (4-8) will all fight for bottom-of-the-barrel in CUSA.

Tonight Memphis opens up CUSA action at ECU (6-7); Marshall visits UCF; Tulsa meets UAB; UTEP takes on SMU; crosstown rivals Houston & Rice meet as conference foes.

---

Houston coach Art Briles quietly believed this could be a CUSA championship year for his Cougars. It didn't happen & changes are underway to his staff. Defensive coordinator Ron Harris, wide receivers coach Rodney Blackshear & strength & conditioning coach J.D. Berna are out. Alan Weddell has been hired as DC, while Jason Phillips moves from cornerbacks to his old job as receivers coach.

And reports are more changes are on the way.

---


In the SEC, all I can say is wow! Who predicted Vanderbilt marching into Rupp Arena & beating Kentucky? Okay, admittedly this ain't your typical Wildcats team. But to keep beating that drum only takes away from Vandy's win. And that's not fair.

The much-anticipated return of Randolph Morris by the Kentucky faithful at least gave fans something to cheer about.

This could be a long season for Tubby.

---

ESPN reports USC running back Lendale White will enter the NFL draft this year.

---

In a desperate move to attract attention & even attract fans to its sport, the Indy Racing League has signed Gene Simmons of KISS to help promote the series. Simmons has also co-authored a song which is available on the IRL's website.

I don't know who I feel more sorry for: the IRL for having to rely on some old-time rock-and-roller or for Simmons because obviously he needs the cash to get involved.

---

Music quote of the day (in honor of Gene Simmons);

"You show us everything you've got
You keep on dancin' and the room gets hot
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You say you wanna go for a spin
The party's just begun, we'll let you in
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You keep on shoutin', you keep on shoutin'

I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day"

---

See you on the radio today with the Tigers pregame show at 4:30 p.m.