This week, The Post’s Andrew Marchand spoke with ex-Cowboy Michael Irvin. The 38-year-old Irvin, in his first year with ESPN, will work Saturday’s NFL draft.
Q: In the days leading up to the 1988 draft, were you nervous?
A: Nervous? I wasn’t nervous. I guarantee there are 15-20 guys who are not nervous. They are looking forward to this challenge. Your background has something to do with it. I was surrounded by my family and I was thinking, “Whatever pick it is, we’re a few picks away of getting out of the ghetto.”
Q: What should the Giants do with the No. 4 pick?
A: The Giants need O-line help. What the Giants should do, and I know they want to do, is go for Robert Gallery. Everybody keeps throwing the smoke screen up about Eli Manning. Eli Manning is a great pick – for San Diego. Let him go to San Diego. You put Eli in New York, it would be good, but he would have to sit behind Kerry Collins. Kerry is going to start. I like Kerry Collins. If it means giving up something to move up four spots to get Robert Gallery, you do that. Give up a second-round pick next year.
Q: What do you think of Jeremy Shockey?
A: He is going to say something crazy every now and again. Jeremy Shockey is the type of guy who creates his own pressure situation and then goes out and performs. That’s how he has to play. He is going to say something crazy and everyone is going to gather around and say, “Jeremy? Jeremy? Jeremy?” Then he is going to show what he means. He is going to say some stupid stuff. That’s OK, but he isn’t breaking any laws.
Q: How are he and Tom Coughlin going to get along?
A: I think they are going to get along great. I think Coughlin loves guys who play with intensity. I don’t think they will have a problem. He seems like a good guy. Jeremy goes hard on the football field.
Q: Who is the best receiver all-time? Michael Irvin?
A: Jerry Rice. I could argue that Michael Irvin is somewhere up in there, but Michael Irvin can’t beat Jerry Rice in any category. Can you take Michael Irvin over Cris Carter? I’d say yes because I have three Super Bowl rings and he has none.
Jerry Rice has more championship rings and more catches and yards. He may be the greatest football player to ever play the game.
