One industry source believes the decision has already been made to let Michael Irvin go at ESPN. Some at the network view the outspoken Irvin as a ticking time bomb, ready to explode into a public-relations nightmare. ESPN did not confirm or deny the report, but issued a statement, saying: "We are currently in the process of discussing studio assignments for next season." There is speculation that newly retired Bill Parcells could end up at the network, but there is no indication that a deal is imminent.