Leroy Irvin

Former Ram cornerback LeRoy Irvin signed a one-year contract Thursday with the Detroit Lions. The Rams did not protect Irvin, 32, who served a month-long league suspension last season for drug abuse. He was passed over by other teams under the NFL's Plan B free agency system before the Rams released him April 17.

Jean Claude Leroyer, founder of an Orange County bus stop advertising firm that defrauded more than 1,100 investors of $46.4 million between 1986 and 1991, was sentenced Wednesday to 46 months in federal prison. Also sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana were three salesmen recently convicted of marketing fraudulent investments in the Irvine-based company, Metro Display Advertising, and the company's former chief financial officer.

Ok, let's get this out of the way quick. LeRoy Irvin's ears are funny looking. You know it. He knows it. Joe Montana knows it. "Everyone jokes about my ears," said Irvin, the Ram cornerback. During a game last year against the San Francisco 49ers, Irvin gave Montana an ear full for throwing an interception to teammate Vince Newsome. "Damn Joe," Irvin told Montana, "you should have thrown that one to me. I've been playing against you for six years."

1996 RECORD: 8-4 overall, 4-1 in league COACH: Mike Marrujo (148-48-5 at school) RETURNING STARTERS: 2 on offense, 4 on defense TOP RETURNERS Roger Fath, OT, 6-0, 235, Sr.; Jeff Ginter, WB/S, 5-11, 170, Sr.; Leroy Irvin, DE, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Justin Lang, S/RB, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Dan Maurin, ILB/RB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Matt Randolph, ILB/TE, 6-1, 215, Sr.; William Taylor, DT/OG, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Jason Work, C, 6-0, 230, Sr. TOP NEWCOMERS Jason Annis, QB, 5-11, 170, Jr.; Ronald Morris, DB/WR, 6-0, 178, Sr.

Cornerback LeRoy Irvin reported to work at Rams Park Monday only to discover that his belongings had been neatly packed, his mail collected by team trainers, his nameplate removed from his locker and his position shared by a second-year free agent and a rookie. Irvin, dissatisfied with his contract and longing for a trade, met briefly with Coach John Robinson, with whom he shook hands and said goodby.

Whisk brooms in place, those housecleaning Rams appear more than ready to dispose of Pro Bowl cornerback LeRoy Irvin by Tuesday's trading deadline. Irvin, placed on the team's taxi squad Saturday, is expected to join Eric Dickerson as the latest ex-Ram, possibly as soon as today. Like Dickerson, Irvin is upset with his contract. Already, the Rams have cleared out Irvin's locker, an omen if there ever was one. He was a no-show on the Ram sideline Sunday.

The rocky relationship between the Rams and cornerback LeRoy Irvin officially ended Wednesday when the team waived the 10-year veteran. But Irvin says he isn't ready to sever ties with the NFL. Irvin, left unprotected by the Rams after the 1989 season, said last week that if he wasn't satisfied with offers from other NFL teams, he would retire after the Plan B free agent signing period, which ended Sunday. But he apparently changed his mind after a conversation with his wife, Roxanne, this week.

The ongoing saga of LeRoy Irvin took its sharpest turn Wednesday when the Rams suspended the disgruntled cornerback for what Coach John Robinson called "conduct detrimental to the team." The decision was made after a Wednesday morning meeting between Irvin and Robinson. It also was made after the coach told his players that Irvin would never return to the Rams and one day after the team failed to grant Irvin's request to be traded.

This year, Ram cornerback LeRoy Irvin will make his fourth appearance at the Pro Bowl. Of course, Irvin hasn't actually played in a Pro Bowl. He would like to, but there's this nitpicking rule about being selected and, well, Irvin's name hasn't found its way on many ballots in the past. Something about inconsistency. Irvin just likes to make the annual trip to Honolulu and see what he keeps missing.

When we left LeRoy Irvin last November, he was cleaning out his locker at Rams Park, waiting to hear where he'd be shipped next. He'd gone from cornerback, first-rate, to trade bait. It was a done deal. Irvin, following in the gloomy shadow of Eric Dickerson, had leapfrogged over lines of contract diplomacy and seemingly played his last game as a Los Angeles Ram. Coach John Robinson suspended Irvin Nov. 4 for "conduct detrimental to the team."

LeRoy Irvin, a former Ram standout at defensive back, was one of 12 players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other first-time nominees were quarterback Tommy Kramer; running back Curt Warner; wide receivers Stanley Morgan, Mike Quick and J.T. Smith; offensive lineman Mike Webster; tight end Ozzie Newsome; defensive linemen Al "Bubba" Baker and Dan Hampton; linebacker Fredd Young; and defensive back Eric Wright.

A breakdown in communication between LeRoy Irvin and his former attorney led to the arrest of the former professional football player July 21 on suspicion of spousal abuse, his new attorney said Friday. Attorney Milton Grimes said Irvin, a Cal State Northridge assistant coach last fall and former All-Pro defensive back for the Rams, was arrested because he failed to appear in court earlier this month for a preliminary hearing on the same charge.

LeRoy Irvin, a punt returner and defensive back for the Rams in the 1980s, was jailed Wednesday on criminal charges of spousal abuse. Irvin was charged with spousal abuse, vandalizing the home of his estranged wife and threatening to kill her in telephone conversations. Irvin was remanded into custody at the Los Angeles County Jail after failing to appear at a prior hearing, authorities said.

LeRoy Irvin has seen it happen to the best of them. A man becomes overconfident, lets his guard down, and allows another man to beat him. He recalls a football game several years ago when Mark Duper, a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, caught three touchdown passes over the same cornerback. He remembers it vividly because he was the hapless defender. Irvin, who played 11 years in the National Football League, went on to make the All-Pro team that year.

Citing financial and travel burdens, Cal State Northridge defensive backs coach LeRoy Irvin has resigned and accepted a job as a salesman and spokesperson for golf club manufacturers. A five-time all-pro cornerback for the Rams, Irvin began coaching on a voluntary basis last spring. He commuted to Northridge from his home in Orange County. "I want to coach, I just couldn't make any money," Irvin said Tuesday. "It is too far for me to come, but I had a great time.

In preseason camp, while Cal State Northridge assistant LeRoy Irvin was instructing scout-team members how to block a kick, newcomer Ralph Henderson sidled up and said: "I can block that." Irvin put Henderson in the drill and on the next play he blocked a field-goal attempt. During the same drill, he blocked another. "And then I said, 'Oh, boy, we're gonna block a lot,' " Irvin said.

During his 11 years as a defensive back in the NFL, LeRoy Irvin prepared for the day he no longer would cover the likes of Jerry Rice. He became a mortgage banker, a gas station owner and a boxing promoter. Irvin, a five-time All-Pro with the Rams, was determined to maintain a high standard of living but, he said, he continually lost money on the ventures and on a variety of investments.

Ram cornerback Leroy Irvin signed a contract extension reportedly worth $1 million over the next three seasons, the club announced.

During his 11 years as a defensive back in the NFL, LeRoy Irvin prepared for the day he no longer would cover the likes of Jerry Rice. He became a mortgage banker, a gas station owner and a boxing promoter. Irvin, a five-time All-Pro with the Rams, was determined to maintain a high standard of living but, he said, he continually lost money on the ventures and on a variety of investments.

During his 11 years as a defensive back in the National Football League, LeRoy Irvin prepared for the day he no longer would cover the likes of Jerry Rice. He became a mortgage banker, a gas station owner and a boxing promoter. Irvin, a five-time All-Pro with the Rams, was determined to maintain a high standard of living but, he said, he continually lost money on the ventures and on a variety of investments.