Shutdown Corner - NFL

Aside from P.T. Barnum and the Ringling brothers, nobody loves a circus as much as Jerry Jones. And if that circus comes with television cameras, all the better. In June, Dallas Cowboys training camp will once again serve as the backdrop to a reality show, this time for a Spike vehicle that will reward its winner with a spot on the Cowboys 80-man camp roster. In case that's not absurd enough, the show will be hosted by Michael Irvin.

The as-of-yet untitled program will pit 12 NFL wannabes against each other in a competition to see who will earn an invitation to Cowboys camp in San Antonio to practice alongside Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Terrell Owens and DeMarcus Ware. The winner is guaranteed a spot at camp and nothing else.

Former Cowboys legends and Jones himself are set to appear as judges. There was no word on how the athletes would be judged during the show, but Irvin said:

Tune in and watch. It'll be groundbreaking in so many ways.

Hopefully the show's producers are keeping Irvin away from the planning of the individual competitions, lest we end up with "groundbreaking" becoming a race to see who can drive to and from the strip club the fastest or a Project Runway-type challenge that involves making a five-button, double-breasted pinstripe suit with a secret pocket sewn in for "accessories".

It's not the first time the Cowboys will participate in a reality show. In 2002 and 2008 the team hosted HBO's "Hard Knocks" during training camp. The team missed the postseason in both years.

Photo: Getty Images

digg delicious
more

220 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Jeffrey S
    1. Posted by Jeffrey S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Dallas Cowboys Circus continues...2nd
  2. Tito
    2. Posted by Tito Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I know everyone talks about all the cameras going around in Dallas. But you really can't question Irvin’s work habits. He didn't become one of the best receivers to ever play this game by slacking off. He made some mistakes, but he's a hell of a competitor and athlete.
  3. Forty
    3. Posted by Forty Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    if i say i like strip clubs and have a record and like to run my mouth and not produce...does that garuntee me a spot as one of the finalists?
  4. LongTrans
    4. Posted by LongTrans Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    @8: That means you're a "playmaker" in Dallas! All aboard.
  5. jimmy
    5. Posted by jimmy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    L.o.l
    americas joke
  6. BMT
    6. Posted by BMT Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This is disgusting. This is Jones way of turning things around. They will NOT make the playoffs next season as well.
  7. jimmy
    7. Posted by jimmy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    how come T O 's name has a line in it,does that mean he won't be there or off the team? oooooh
    i want T O on it or i am not watching
  8. BMT
    8. Posted by BMT Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This just feeds the egoes of the Cowboys. They are the most image conscious team in the NFL. By that I mean phony or fake. The more I think about this, the more it makes sense for them.
  9. BMT
    9. Posted by BMT Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This just feeds the egoes of the Cowboys. They are the most image conscious team in the NFL. By that I mean phony or fake. The more I think about this, the more it makes sense for them.
  10. hanna d
    10. Posted by hanna d Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    i love it as long as they keep losing to the g men. go giants. trade up and get crabtree
  11. Lucy B
    11. Posted by Lucy B Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:59 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Would you expect anything classy from the Dallas organization? Ha! Bring your guns, contestants.
  12. pan am
    12. Posted by pan am Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Post 8, Nope, sounds like you've won that contest with the biggest mouth and no ability or sense, but this article is about a show now isn't it. lmao, Why don't some of you go out for this if you think its going to be so.... easy. Like to see some of you get hit by, more than likey, some of these college players that didn't make a team. If some of you ever noticed, whcih I doubt, some players don't get a chance to prove themselves, either the college they go to or other circumstances. Some guys that do make it to the pro's are wash outs, and some you'd never thiink of end up in many pro bowls and hall of fame, you just never know, but why don't you go out and give it a shot, seems like you are all big time pro football players that know everything lmao
  13. annagain
    13. Posted by annagain Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:56 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Why they gotta keep letting the country use our training camp for their playground....
  14. jimmy
    14. Posted by jimmy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    i have been a cowboy fan since calvin hill,lilly,Rodger,ect this is the worse off season i have ever witnessed!
    now i have to look at our owner sitting with m.irvin? i remember a man named hollywood henderson,good linebacker but a real idiot,he played a couple seasons then started to push the envelope and landry got rid of him. i remember thinking what took him so long? i do realize we need to win,but at what cost?
    then jerry bought the team they brought a fire with him jimmy j , at first i was like what is he doing?broke the team down went 1-15 then started to grow,and i seen what he was doing,we went on to win 2 super bowls,this was great,then he was gone? i was like huh?jerry then took the spotlight acted as though he did this put switzer in there the players won another in spite of him and then it happened, a spiral down hill,and m.irvin started acting like an assh$LE? then the hotel thing ,then jerry stood by him???? i was upset that he didn't distance himself from him?
    over 10 years have past and i just don't get it ?
    i realize that jimmy gathered draft picks and knew the talent out there but didn't jerry learn anything from those days? how can he embarass us like this? now there is a show that irvin is the host?
    we had a team with such class until irvin started the 1st down dance,my name is playmaker? what happened to tossing the ball to the ref,now we celebrate 1st downs??
    as a cowboy fan i really thought jerry would say ok that's it,by T O,TANK,t,tell romo that football is first,or i will trade you,or even breakdown and hire a real GM? and step back and concentrate on the stadium,and the business
    now i have to see this? i am very disappointed !!
    i will root for my team but i can't help to think what the old cowboys are thinking? they must be scratching their heads,i am !!
  15. FairlyHonestBob
    15. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I think part of Jerry's brain got nicked on that cheap face lift job.
  16. Bobby C
    16. Posted by Bobby C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Any idea how to sign up for this??? I would love a shot at this and might have chance
  17. sam spade
    17. Posted by sam spade Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    How can anyone now say that this circus atmosphere is TO fault? It seems obvious that Jerry brought TO and paid him very well because that's who Jerry is. Stop the TO won't be in Dallas; stuff. As long as the media is writing anything about TO and he catches TDs he'll be with Jerry because Jerry loves unnecessary drama. He doesn't like meaningless sacriface like Pacman and Tank Johnson. But if you can produce and bring drama, it seems Jerry doesn't care about winning. Just ask Tony Romo. As long as the tabloids are talking about who he's dating, he needn't worry about winning playoff games. And lastly, Jerry is good friends with Michael Irvin. He's the court jester of the organization. Stop trippin' on TO
  18. ctapbts
    18. Posted by ctapbts Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Can you show me 3 people who actually gives a rat arse????? very fitting for a team that has the appeal of a reality show...A joke mobody really takes serious and can't wait until some better comes along.... LIKE A COMMERCIAL....WTF? Dallas blows no matter who's playing for them..... Go STeelers....Or should I say anyone but the Cardinals!
  19. Gary W
    19. Posted by Gary W Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
  20. OSN
    20. Posted by OSN Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:45 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    LMAO....Jerry Jones deserves everything he gets.
    Romo is the best thing to happen to the division as long as hes there no playoffs for the cowdungs and that gives other a shot !
  21. Mike Ross
    21. Posted by Mike Ross Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    "Tune in and watch. It'll be groundbreaking in so many ways."
    WOW! Undiscovered talent gets discovered?!?! on TV, no less?!? IT'S REVOLUTIONARY!
    Didn't Pro Wrestling do this already with "Tough Enough"? ....guess that says alot for the Dallas Cowboys' standards.
  22. jimmy
    22. Posted by jimmy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:12 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    POST # 22
    I aplaud you i was starting to wonder if there were real men in texas
    sir you are one!!!!

Shutdown Corner

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

MJD

Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

Y! Sports Blogs

Shutdown Corner Recent Readers