Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones "advocates individual teams
seizing control of drug testing, meting out punishment as they
deem necessary and separating the penalties for those who use
marijuana and those who use cocaine," according to the DALLAS
MORNING NEWS. Jones pushed his idea at last month's NFL owners
meeting -- a week after Cowboys WR Michael Irvin was arrested on
drug possession charges. Chiefs Owner Lamar Hunt prefers to
strengthen the current league-union system, with mandatory random
tests conducted during the off-season as well (Ed Werder, DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 4/7). In Boston, Will McDonough notes, while the
NFL still has the "toughest" drug policy of the four major
leagues, one coach calls it a "farce" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/7).
RIDING THE COWBOYS: In Dallas, Blackie Sherrod notes
neither Jones' position vis-a-vis the league and Irvin's past
insult of NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw will help the team (DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 4/7). Irvin stands to lose at least two of his
endorsement deals and his Dallas TV shows because of his
indictment (Dave Anderson, N.Y. TIMES, 4/9). One NFL source: "I
think there's a significant problem with substance abuse with
this team" (Bob Glauber, NEWSDAY, 4/7).
