Sanders Skips Start Of Camp

Bobby Ross opened his first training camp as Detroit’s coach without the heart of the Lions, running back Barry Sanders.

Sanders, who has a year remaining on his contract, is seeking an extension. He skipped the last mini-camp and continued his holdout Friday into the start of camp despite a personal plea from Ross.

“Barry Sanders needs to be here,” Ross said after a spirited morning workout. “We had eight plays on the nickel defense today. He’s got a different responsibility on each of those plays. That’s my biggest concern.

“He can run the ball. That’s not my concern, although he’s got to learn this system.”

Ross signed on after a 5-11 record in 1996 got Wayne Fontes fired. Ross was hoping for a fresh start and moved camp from the Silverdome to Saginaw Valley State, about 120 miles north of Detroit, to help bring the players together.

Irvin in camp, court

Michael Irvin, who had considered retirement, ended such speculation by reporting to the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

Irvin, who was suspended five games last year by the NFL because of drug possession, recently said, “I have lost my love for the game.”

However, after attending a morning hearing on another legal matter, Irvin came to Austin, according to owner Jerry Jones, and will be ready for today’s first practice. Irvin had asked to be traded in the off-season.

A few hours before Irvin reported to the Cowboys’ training camp, a judge ordered him to give a deposition Sept. 9 in his defamation of character suit against a television station.

In Dallas, state District Judge Jay Patterson stepped in after 1-1/2 hours of bickering between attorneys for Irvin and KXAS-TV of Fort Worth over whether the Dallas Cowboys receiver was ducking the station’s subpoenas.

Attorneys for the station want the deposition to help with its defense in a defamation-of-character lawsuit filed by Irvin and teammate Erik Williams.

Where’s Walsh?

Bill Walsh has left the 49ers’ building, and while he remains on the team’s payroll, his consulting role has diminished and the Hall of Fame coach is spending most of his time pursuing other interests.

Walsh, 65, who pioneered the West Coast offense and coached the 49ers to their first three Super Bowl titles in the 1980s, returned to the team last year as an offensive specialist under George Seifert.

But he’s had little input in club decisions or coaching since mid-January when general manager Dwight Clark was given a contract extension and Steve Mariucci was hired to replace Seifert, who resigned.

Clark said Walsh is so involved with outside projects that he has little time to work with the 49ers.

Walsh, who is writing a football textbook and has booked numerous speaking engagements, has once again set up shop in a Menlo Park office.

Negotiations on a contract extension for Steve Young resumed and 49ers president Carmen Policy was pressing for a quick resolution.

Policy hopes to wrap up talks with agent Leigh Steinberg this weekend. The new pact would be structured to provide the 49ers with the salary-cap relief they need to sign their top two draft picks, quarterback Jim Druckenmiller and fullback Marc Edwards, and free-agent defensive lineman Steve Emtman.

Young’s contract expires at the end of the 1997 season, and talks have centered on a six-year extension.

The ‘Ouch Files’

San Diego Chargers’ newly acquired tailback Erric Pegram underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove loose cartilage that was detected during an MRI exam Friday, the opening day of training camp.

Pegram is expected to be out two to three weeks.

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Yatil Green will likely miss the entire season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during practice.

Broncos fans sue team

Denver Broncos season-ticket holders have been granted class-action status in a lawsuit contesting a team ticket policy.

The lawsuit, filed by three ticket holders and Camas Inc., a construction company that holds several tickets, alleges that the Broncos violated season-ticket holders’ rights by changing their policy on ticket holders re-selling their right to buy tickets.

Under the team’s policy, which was implemented in 1995, season ticket holders can’t re-sell their rights on the open market, just transfer them to family members and successor corporations.