National Football League

Michael Irvin clarifies comments on his NFC East favorite

Published May. 27, 2015 1:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

Michael Irvin caused a stir among Cowboys fans when he went on 97.5 The Fanatic [WPEN-FM] in Philadelphia and picked the Eagles as favorites to win the NFC East.

"Philly is the favorite in the NFC East," Irvin said on May 13. "I have to separate my head from my heart."

Now, the Hall-of-Famer is trying to separate fact from fiction.

"I went on the air and said you take DeMarco [Murray] out of the equation and it could be a change in a balance of power. Now, I have to see what the Cowboys come up with. You can't just tell me they're still as good. I have to see that."

The three-time Super Bowl champion claims that he emphasized his answers were strictly within the bounds of what had happened in the division up to the month of May, not that it was an ultimate projection for the football season.

"I said right now if you asked me to put it in order -- and I emphasized 'in May' -- I'll take Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Redskins," said Irvin. "Let's see what happens in training camp and if they come together."

The headlines from Irvin's answer astounded the five-time Pro Bowler.

"I was like, 'Wait a minute. The East? We're in May. The East won't be won until January.' But that's how it is."

Irvin still maintains that the Cowboys are behind the Eagles at the moment until they adequately fill the void Murray left, not only with his 1,845-yard performance going to Philadelphia, but his style of running going northeast also.

"You may get 1,500 yards. It's not about just the distance in which he travels. It's the meaning in which he travels. So, I may get 1,500 yards, but am I getting that because we're getting blown out and everybody's playing coverage? So, now, when I drop you off a little delay, you run for a lot of yards."

The Cowboys have a wide open competition at running back with veteran free agent Darren McFadden coming over from a seven-year career in Oakland and the coaching staff and front office favoring third-year back Joseph Randle. Veterans Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams are also in the mix. The club also tried out Ben Tate and Felix Jones, indicating the feature back position is still unsettled.

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