Report: Dez Bryant’s Off-Field Behavior Still A Concern For Dallas Cowboys
By Phil Watson
Much has been made about the new, mature Dez Bryant, the top wideout for the Dallas Cowboys, but his off-field activity is still a concern.
The Dallas Cowboys trip to London hasn’t been entirely without incident.
According to a report, there were some issues with the Friday night curfew.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media:
#Cowboys sources: A whopping 20 players missed curfew on Friday night. Coaches are frustrated. Veterans, too. Are they taking it seriously?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2014
While there were no names mentioned in the report on the curfew violators, there are also murmurs that the Cowboys’ brass is still not convinced that wide receiver Dez Bryant has completely turned a corner with regard to his behavior and activities off the field.
Again, per Rapoport:
As for Dez Bryant, #Cowboys are worried about him off-the-field. Per DeSoto City PD, police have been to his house 6 times in 4 years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2014
Among 6 police visits to Dez Bryant’s house: There was a harassment incident, a robbery at his home, fire unlocked a car with a baby inside
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2014
Six visits to one house over a four-year period isn’t unusual … if the house is owned by Tony Soprano.
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But for a professional football player who is trying to get paid, it’s troubling. It’s particularly troubling because if it seems we’ve been talking about Bryant’s off-the-field issues for a long time, it’s because we have been.
There was the incident in 2012 when he was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence for reportedly shoving his mother during an argument with his half-brother. There was the reported feud with Lil Wayne’s crew in Miami in 2012. There was the $50,000 he owed a finance company. There was the $600,000 he owed a ticket broker and a jeweler. There was the misunderstanding about his low-hanging pants at a Dallas area mall. There was former mentor Deion Sanders ripping him for not being able to stay out of trouble.
What he’s done on the field is above reproach—50 receptions for 635 yards and six touchdowns this season after back-to-back 90-reception, double-digit touchdown seasons. But that’s why the Cowboys haven’t been willing to guarantee a ton of money for the Pro Bowler. According to Rapoport, their best offer hasn’t been overwhelming:
This explains why #Cowboys best offer to Dez Bryant was 10 years, $114M — with just $20M guaranteed. Deal avged 10M over the 1st 6(!) years
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2014
But here’s the thing. If the Cowboys don’t pay Bryant, someone else will.
They always do, because every coach believes he’s the guy who is brilliant enough to make the breakthrough to turn the player around.
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