Bryant's strange antics look destined to burn Cowboys

[Midswat]

By Mike Freeman
CBSSports.com National NFL Insider


It's impossible to say if the erratic behavior of Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant is a problem. Or will be. Or if what I see means he's a few batteries short of a power cell. I do know this: Based on some of his sideline antics during Sunday night's game against Philadelphia, Bryant is headed down a path the Cowboys should not want to see. Bryant's curious, constant and borderline bizarre behavior that began in the first quarter never subsided. Strange is one word to describe it. Troubling is possibly another.

He constantly stormed up and down the sideline. He grabbed teammates by their shoulder pads, pleaded for the ball, had his pleas ignored by Tony Romo, caused teammates to walk away from him, tossed his helmet (twice), screamed at a game official over a pass interference non-call and overall displayed the temperament and anger management of a two-year-old.

This isn't to say Bryant is bad guy, but the behavior he displayed -- and I'm told by people I trust this happens every week -- isn't the kind of behavior you want in a player. Fiery is one thing but erratic is another.

Case in point: Late in the game, after some sort of outburst (again) on the sideline, the Cowboys were in Philadelphia's red zone. Bryant came in from the sideline seemingly agitated at something. He lined up wide left but clearly missed an audible from Romo.

The ball was snapped and the entire Dallas offense moved except ... Bryant. He stood in his two-point stance motionless for several seconds as everyone else moved. The play was for Bryant, but since he screwed up the snap count, the play was thrown off. Romo threw for Bryant and it went to a spot where Bryant was supposed to be but wasn't.

Watching Bryant on the sideline was more entertaining (and concerning) than the blowout itself. Bryant felt he was being held for much of the night by Eagles defensive backs. Early in the game, he demonstrated how they were holding him by forcefully grabbing the shoulder pads of a teammate while standing in front of Romo. Romo looked at Bryant, said nothing, then went back to looking at some still shots of the coverage the Eagles were playing.

In another instance, Bryant paced up and down the sideline directly in front of Romo. The quarterback looked once at Bryant and then ignored him.

In the second quarter, Bryant tried to speak with Romo, but Romo looked up, said, "OK, OK," and then looked away. Each time Bryant addressed Romo, Romo said little or nothing. Romo stayed cool the entire time. He did that with Bryant in his face for much of the evening.

In the final moments, Bryant totally lost his cool after he was clearly held by the Eagles. There was no question about the hold, but Bryant's behavior came close to drawing a flag. He screamed at a game official getting close to the official's face and, again, offered a demonstration of the pass interference call on a teammate. The official didn't look amused and I think Bryant was seconds away from a flag.

Again, this isn't about passion. I saw several Cowboys players display passion and frustration with the loss. Bryant's strange behavior is different. Very strange behavior. At some point this behavior is going to burn the Cowboys.

After the game, Bryant spent a solid three or four minutes looking for one player in particular: Mike Vick. He grabbed Vick and gave him a huge hug.

It was one of the few times on the night that Bryant showed restraint. Sort of.



One Cowboys player told me this is a constant with Bryant, and his sideline antics don't always go over well with some in the locker room.

The last time I saw anything remotely like Bryant's behavior against Philadelphia was Terrell Owens during his Eagles tenure and the infamous sideline meltdown with Donovan McNabb several years ago. We know what happened with Owens.

 

[Theebs]

Awesome,

All we need to complete this miserable season is one of jerrys hand picked coddled super hero before ever doing anything to start whining like a baby. That will just finish it right off.

It's also fun to know that Todd Haley can get more out of his offense with Jackie battle a former ps guy here and a rookie wr making his first start than Jason Garrett can here with a 1st and 2nd rounder at rb and seemingly terrific talent outside.

Awesome to know.

CL told me yesterday he hopes sporano comes back to the coach the line, as do I and think it will but also brought up uninteresting scenario where if norv were to get fired if the relationship with Jason and norv was good enough where norv would call plays here.

It will never happen, but at least with Garrett away from the offense we might have a chance.

 

[cboys72]

Frustration can do that to you, granted he needs to keep his cool.

Its hard to get upset with what he did, he knows he needs the ball and didn't get any looks. It would help if he would do the little things oh like remember the snap count and play though.

 

[Theebs]

Frustration can do that to you, granted he needs to keep his cool.

Its hard to get upset with what he did, he knows he needs the ball and didn't get any looks. It would help if he would do the little things oh like remember the snap count and play though.

That is the point. He has no right to say anything, he makes mistakes constantly. He looks like he doesn't know what he is doing half the time.

And he is simply not that good to be demanding the ball. He has never done anything in the NFL to have this spectacular label attached to him. Outside of a few one on one jump balls in the end zone, as a wr he hasn't even been that good.

If he were playing like Fitzgerald or Johnson he could demand the ball they are game changing dynamic players. They never complain and part of the reason for that is because they know the game and understand and have no need to freak out.

 

[NoDak]

Frustration can do that to you, granted he needs to keep his cool.

Its hard to get upset with what he did, he knows he needs the ball and didn't get any looks. It would help if he would do the little things oh like remember the snap count and play though.

The announces showed the replay, and said he was looking at the ref to make sure he was on the LOS when the ball was snapped. Yes, he should have done that earlier and been ready, but I doubt he was pouting and took a play off like they imply, or that he missed an audible.

 

[carphalen5150]

Dez is pretty much an asshole...does not mean I don't want him on the team, but there are going to be times where his behavior is going to be off. He's dumb as fuck too. Good football player though.

 

[Midswat]

If I were the greatest receiver in the history of the world, and my quarterback didn't throw me the ball, I'd be pissed as well.

 

[Theebs]

If I were the greatest receiver in the history of the world, and my quarterback didn't throw me the ball, I'd be pissed as well.

hey that would be fine if it were the scenario.

but he is just an average player at this point. he basically is another superstar created by the marketing bonanza that is the cowboys.

If his name were Jimmy Jones and he were taken in the fifth round the perception of him would be incredibly different.

Since he is a jerry golden boy who is a superstar because he hung out with deion sanders and fans loved the idea of him a year and a half ago we are now seeing the outcome. A guy who is not a go to guy, who has not earned the respect he has been given and frankly has done nothing out of the ordinary on the field as a football player.

 

[Midswat]

If you want to make me angry, Theebs, you're heading down the right path.

You wouldn't like me angry.

 

[NoDak]

"Jimmy Jones" out of the 5th round wouldn't have the skillset, either. Or he'd have been taken in the 1st round, too. Or be an extreme basket case to have fallen that far.

Sweet analogy, tho.

He hasn't been as consistent as we have all hoped, but to say he's done nothing out of the ordinary on the field is just stupid. He has made a lot of spectacular plays both receiving and returning.

 

[Theebs]

"Jimmy Jones" out of the 5th round wouldn't have the skillset, either. Or he'd have been taken in the 1st round, too. Or be an extreme basket case to have fallen that far.

Sweet analogy, tho.

He hasn't been as consistent as we have all hoped, but to say he's done nothing out of the ordinary on the field is just stupid. He has made a lot of spectacular plays both receiving and returning.

actually all the spectacular stuff that has been associated with him has been from media reports from training camp. It has carried over into a perception that he is an amazing player. So far he has been good at jump balls in the endzone in one on one situations. Very good at that. Everything else is hit or miss.

He has looked confused, caught apparently jogging through routes, and misreading coverages resulting in turnovers and killing drives.

If he were as disciplined, intelligent and reliable as the perception he would be fantastic. Hackeem nicks is each of those things and when you watch him he looks light years better as a player than bryant and he does not cause any issues. Its probably a case of better coaching and the head coach actually being in charge also.

we have already seen Jason garrett and this organization cower in the corner when a supposed big bad wr gets mad and wants his way, I have no expectations of this organization or Jason Garrett being able to handle the situation when the rubber meets the road.

the QB would probably love to tell him to learn his job and straighten him out as I bet austin/witten would also, but they cant do that here because the media goes nuts when anyone says anything and of course guys like bryant cant handle it.

 

[Theebs]

If you want to make me angry, Theebs, you're heading down the right path.

You wouldn't like me angry.

Sorry. I am tired of being duped. And it looks like we have been duped again by the marketing and glitz of this organization on Jason Garrett and Dez Bryant as neither seems to be able to help the other in turn bringing down the rest.

When his real meltdown comes we will know the season is over and things are real bad, till then we have just seen tiny glimpses of it because no one here is empowered enough to handle this sort of thing. The big guy upstairs has taken care of that long ago.

Its just a matter of time. I imagine in december when we get bounced by the eagles and giants this guy comes completely unglued. Good corners slowing him down and excellent wr on the other sideline doing what he was sold as being capable of doing should be enough for him to go nuts.

 

[NoDak]

Now the perception of him is that he's disciplined, intelligent and reliable? No point in debating anything with you if you're just gonna make shit up on the fly. I'd say the perception of him is quite the opposite. From both fans and media. He's a raw WR with awesome potential. And quite immature.

It was a nice deflection away from saying "he's done nothing out of the ordinary on the field" and the fictional 5th round WR, tho. So, props for that I guess.

 

[carphalen5150]

No offense, but when posts go past 3 or 4 sentences I just kind of zone out.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I love how its completely ignored that Miles Austin was also going off on the sideline towards the end of the game. I bet i know what they both were trying to say, too.

WE ARE TWO OF THE TOP RECEIVERS IN THE NFL. WE ARE THE PLAYMAKERS. JUST THROW US THE FUCKING BALL ALREADY!


..and if you arn't a CBS writer who knows nothing about the situation in Dallas and just throws a piece together based on what he sees from one game, who the fuck could blame either of them? Why we don't throw the ball their direction more is ridiculous and senseless. Maybe Tony needs to have someone scream in his face to wake him the fuck up for a change. Im sick of the Eeyore routine on the sideline.

 

[Theebs]

Now the perception of him is that he's disciplined, intelligent and reliable? No point in debating anything with you if you're just gonna make shit up on the fly. I'd say the perception of him is quite the opposite. From both fans and media. He's a raw WR with awesome potential. And quite immature.

It was a nice deflection away from saying "he's done nothing out of the ordinary on the field" and the fictional 5th round WR, tho. So, props for that I guess.

He lacks discipline and intelligence. He does not make the reliable plays to move the chains and help the team. he has made repeated mistakes killing drives and resulting in turnovers. If you want to call him raw as another way of saying it that would be accurate too, but it also implies he is not a superstar nor should he be causing a commotion on the sidelines, he hasnt earned any of that yet.

Potential is interesting. you know what you never hear about the great players in this league, anything about their potential. I have never heard a single analyst worth his salt comment on johnson, fitz, brady, manning etc as having potential. they are the great ones. The non great ones have potential meaning something is not there yet, meaning they are not worthy of the praise and diva routine.

if you dont want to debate fine, Just watch the games. its there in black and white. the guy is fantastic at the jump ball/fade in one on ones in the endzone and has incredible ability as a punt returner. As an every down reliable go to wr he is not even close yet.

 

[Theebs]

No offense, but when posts go past 3 or 4 sentences I just kind of zone out.

sorry, my depression and frustration causes this. I will keep it shorter in the future.

 

[NoDak]

He lacks discipline and intelligence. He does not make the reliable plays to move the chains and help the team. he has made repeated mistakes killing drives and resulting in turnovers. If you want to call him raw as another way of saying it that would be accurate too, but it also implies he is not a superstar nor should he be causing a commotion on the sidelines, he hasnt earned any of that yet.

Potential is interesting. you know what you never hear about the great players in this league, anything about their potential. I have never heard a single analyst worth his salt comment on johnson, fitz, brady, manning etc as having potential. they are the great ones. The non great ones have potential meaning something is not there yet, meaning they are not worthy of the praise and diva routine.

if you dont want to debate fine, Just watch the games. its there in black and white. the guy is fantastic at the jump ball/fade in one on ones in the endzone and has incredible ability as a punt returner. As an every down reliable go to wr he is not even close yet.

Not really understanding why you are pushing this like I've argued against it or something. I only commented on two things. The fictional WR and you saying he's never done anything out of the ordinary on the field. You've yet to comment on either of the things I mentioned, which you originally brought up.

No where have I said he's a superstar. No where have I said he's a consistent performer. No where have I said ANYTHING about what you are replying to me with.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

He lacks discipline and intelligence. He does not make the reliable plays to move the chains and help the team. he has made repeated mistakes killing drives and resulting in turnovers. If you want to call him raw as another way of saying it that would be accurate too, but it also implies he is not a superstar nor should he be causing a commotion on the sidelines, he hasnt earned any of that yet.

Potential is interesting. you know what you never hear about the great players in this league, anything about their potential. I have never heard a single analyst worth his salt comment on johnson, fitz, brady, manning etc as having potential. they are the great ones. The non great ones have potential meaning something is not there yet, meaning they are not worthy of the praise and diva routine.

if you dont want to debate fine, Just watch the games. its there in black and white. the guy is fantastic at the jump ball/fade in one on ones in the endzone and has incredible ability as a punt returner. As an every down reliable go to wr he is not even close yet.

Your analysis of him isn't quite fair. Yes, he has some work to do.. particularly in his route running. Yes, he's immature, but he's also just a kid.

People talk of his potential because he has as much talent as anyone at the position in the entire NFL. People don't talk of potential when they speak of Manning or Brady because they've been in the league 15 years and are already established players. Bryant is in his second year. Big difference.

Also, he most certainly does not make repeated mistakes that kill drives or cause turnovers. That's just silliness to even say.

He's not what i'd call a reliable WR yet either, but i bet if we threw him the ball more often that would start to change, too. Everytime its thrown his way he simply fights to get to it and make a play. He can't make plays if the ball isn't thrown in his direction, and eventually Tony and this staff will figure out that he's one of those guys that even if he doesn't look open you still throw it his way because you know he will beat his man to the ball.

 

[Theebs]

Not really understanding why you are pushing this like I've argued against it or something. I only commented on two things. The fictional WR and you saying he's never done anything out of the ordinary on the field. You've yet to comment on either of the things I mentioned, which you originally brought up.

No where have I said he's a superstar. No where have I said he's a consistent performer. No where have I said ANYTHING about what you are replying to me with.

which things did you comment on? i thought I addressed it directly?