I was simply interested in making sure that the media speculation and media reports didn't affect their relationship as teammates, Jones told the newspaper. They have basically confirmed that any negative feelings are behind them.

Irvin dismissed the report after Saturday's 16-3 exhibition loss to the Oakland Raiders. Are you crazy, man? he told the newspaper. Let it go. Let it go.

McIver refused to discuss the incident. Cowboys players, coaches and personnel have been ordered not to comment.

Irvin reportedly attacked McIver with a pair of scissors in a dispute over a haircut in a dormitory at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Tex., where the Cowboys train. McIver needed stitches to repair a two-inch cut on the right side of his neck.

The person familiar with the situation compared the incident to a street fight and told the newspaper that Irvin wanted McIver's silence because he faces up to 20 years in prison if he is found to have violated terms of his four-year probation. Irvin pleaded no contest to felony cocaine possession in 1996.

The Cowboys are off to a rough start on the field under Gailey.

Saturday's loss dropped them to 0-2, but Gailey was more concerned with the team's lackluster performance in what he called a bad wake-up call for us.

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Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was 1 of 6 for 6 yards in his brief appearance, and the first-team offense did not make a first down.

Defensively, the team did not do much better against the Raiders' first team.

Raiders quarterback Jeff George was 6 of 11 for 128 yards and a touchdown in one quarter.

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We dropped passes, turned the ball over, couldn't run the ball and dropped punts, Gailey said. It was poor execution and poor planning on my part. It was a reality slap in the face.

VIKINGS 28, PATRIOTS 0

The Minnesota Vikings are getting the most out of their draft choices.

Their No. 1 pick, Randy Moss, caught a 44-yard touchdown pass, and last year's top choice, Dwayne Rudd, scored on a 34-yard interception return as Minnesota beat New England last night in Foxboro, Mass.

The Vikings' backup quartaerback, Randall Cunningham, threw two touchdown passes and was 9 for 16 passes for 165 yards.

New England's Drew Bledsoe was 7 for 14 for 74 yards with an interception and three sacks as the Patriots lost for the second time in two games.

Moss was considered one of the top talents in this year's draft, but questions about his character enabled the Vikings to pick him up at No. 21. He caught 2 passes for 54 yards in the game.

Rudd was picked 20th in the first round by Minnesota last year. He played in every game and started the final four last season, recording five sacks -- the third best total for a Vikings rookie.

CAROLINA

Gilbert Injured

Sean Gilbert, who joined the Carolina Panthers in the off season for a seven-year deal worth $46.5 million, tore a ligament in his right thumb in Carolina's 30-27 victory over Jacksonville on Saturday and will be out at least a week. He underwent surgery yesterday.