No Charges in Case Against Michael Irvin

According to an Associated Press report, NFL Network analyst and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin will not face rape charges in regard to a case filed in early February by a woman in Florida.

At the time, the NFL Network stood behind Irvin and kept him on the air and working. He lost his radio gig in Dallas at that time, but station officials claimed that was a ratings-related move.

Irvin's lawyer expects a related civil case to have the same positive result for his client.

Pre-Super Bowl Winners? CBS, Irvin

Three hours before kickoff of the Super Bowl, some TV winners were already evident.

CBS Sports, which should pull a record number for the game, was in the best spot. Even a week before the game, network officials expected record-setting viewership -- if only because of the strong storlyines and the great numbers NFL games drew during the season.

After so many fans watched during the season, and with two likeable teams and leaders (QBs Drew Brees adnd Peyton Manning) infolved, it would only make sense people would watch pro football's final meaningful chapter this sesaon.

Then, with people throughout the Northeast digging out of a record snowstorm and likely to stay home, the chances for record viewership grew even more. Good news for CBS Sports.

Along with that faceless network, an unparalled personality was the other winner. After being the subject of a civil rape lawsuit late in the week, Hall of Fame WR and NFL Network analyst Michal Irvin seemed to survive a potentially dififcult situation. The accusations came from 2007, and Irvin quickly filed a countersuit.

While the talk radio station where Irvin hosted a show in Dallas let him go, the NFL Network kept Irvin on the air. He seemed contrite (or at least quiet by his usual standards) Saturday working the show when Hall of Fame newcomers were announced.

Then, when fellow NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp was arrested for a domestic battery charge in South Florida, Irvin's offense someone seemed a little less offensive -- and certainly less timely. The NFL Network pulled Sapp from its pre-game show Sunday, presenting an opportunity for Joey Porter, the outspoken Miami Dolphins LB, who earned a Super Bowl victory with the Steelers four years earlier.

Porter, although not polised, did well on short notice. Good for him.

Better still was the whole situation for Irvin. By Sunday, he seemed more confortable and loud on air (more of his usual self) than he had been just a day or so earlier. He also might survive after being in a difficult position just a few days ago.

NFL Network Starts Week Strong

NFL Network, with more than 50 hours of programming scheduled from South Florida this week, got started with good opinion and information early in the week from the site of the Super Bowl.

There was opinion from the network's outspoken analysts -- Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders and Warren Sapp -- before the Pro Bowl about the Hall of Fame chances of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Several argued Sunday that Manning needs a victory in the Super Bowl to cement his credentials while others (especially Sapp) said a quarterback cannot be penalized for playing with weak defenses.

In terms of information, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told NFL Network host Rich Eisen on Sunday night that he is "virtually certain'' the league will conduct its 2010 in an season without a salary cap. An uncapped season will result if an agreement cannot for 2011 and beyond cannot be reached by March 5, 2010. "We're all frustrated there's not more progress,'' Goodell said.

While the Super Bowl hype builds, with appropriate focus on the teams and activities surrounding the game this week, that labor story lurks in the shadows as the one that will shape the league's future the most.