Michael Irvin doesn't want `Canes to accept losing

Former UM receiver Michael Irvin can easily point to his lowest moment as a Hurricane.

It had nothing to do with his playing days, but when he returned for the infamous final game at the Orange Bowl in 2007. Remember: Virginia 48, UM 0?

"Toughest thing in the world was watching the final game at the Orange Bowl," said Irvin, who had a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys. "I was on the sideline with some of those guys and just watching."

Irvin, whose reality series "4th and Long" debuts tonight on Spike TV, said he was disappointed with the attitudes of the players that night. He felt there was a lack of emotion, almost as if the once mighty UM program had began accepting losing.

"Forget the records," Irvin said. "Sometimes, you just line them up and they're better than you. But I want to see some fire. I don't want to see you getting your butt kicked and you're just accepting it. I don't want them to do nothing about it. Don't just come over and sit on the sideline. Come over and fight your own guy, fight somebody. Do something. I just had issues with that."

Irvin said UM coach Randy Shannon "has things going in the right direction," but knows this year is vital. He said the Hurricanes need to make that leap back to the national stage because he feels two years is enough for a coach to place his stamp on a program.

Irvin has never shied from bluntness, which is what you can expect from his reality series. The show gives 12 hopefuls a shot at earning an NFL contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

"I won't take it easy on them," Irvin said. "That don't work on the football field. There's going to be some serious language. I'm just letting you guys know."

(sun-sentinel.com)