I haven't read through this whole thread so I apologize if I'm repeating something that was already brought up, but the statement above isn't true. Over the years many rookies have refused hazing. Our own Dan Carpenter did it when he was a rookie. The difference is that it's Bryant so it's big news. I also wouldn't be surprised if Williams was singling out Bryant. Williams has to see the writing on the wall and he has a reputation for being a jerk. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Williams was trying to mess with Bryant out of resentment.
IMO there's a difference between playing a sport in HS or college and having a job. I'm sure there are many people here who don't agree with your position who have played team sports. I know I have. There's a difference between not getting something and simply not agreeing.
I have to think Dez will be starting this year for the Cowboys. He is too good athletically. Its a perfect situation for him, a Super Bowl contender with a good passing game before he got there. All he has to do is keep his head down, listen to the coaches, study and do what's asked from him. Still it's little things like this that I think shine a light into his character. This is a guy that could easily find himself isolated in the lockeroom. If that happens then he will likely become another Terrell Owens. He'll have no loyalty to the team and when it comes time to renew his contract he'll demand the world. It's why I was against getting the guy. I just dont think he would fit in to what we have in Miami (unless he gets arrested for DUI or battery; then he would definitely fit in ) This isnt a team that suffers individuals egos. Brandon Marshall is the closest we have and his problem was he didnt get along with the coach IMO (same as Vontae in college) That to me isnt a problem as long as your coach will get along with him. Though its too early to say definitely, Marshall has been nothing short of a perfect teammate since he's gotten here. We made the right move on passing on Dez. He'll be a good maybe even great player but he has personal issues that make the risk outweigh the reward
Valid point by CK. The question is, if someone else on the team tells Dez to carry something, or fetch something and he still refuses, it will say a lot about this theory. If Dez only has a problem with Roy, then I have no problem with Dez. If Dez refuses to do anything for any of the vets, then I have issues. Like someone mentioned, it's about paying your dues and earning respect. No different than most jobs in this country.
man shows up early to play the game and practice. he's not roy williams little *****. williams is probably worried about losing the #1 WR spot and title. dez bryant being a diva = not showing up to practice, weighing in at 300 pounds, not running routes, not catching balls because they're not perfect, etc. bond, make him buy dinner once or twice or whatever.. but he's not your little *****.
yeah, and i think thats how dez should have handled it. said yeah i'll carry your pads for now but you'll be carrying my jockstrap before the season is over
the NFL will collectively rearrange his values & attitudes on the field. Bryant is a marked man before playing his first game. good for us, bad for them
Re: Jake Long - There's only so much you can say to a 6'7", 317 pound man that has a six pack and has a hand the size of your face lol.
good thing Dez isnt in San Diego fromShawn Merriman's twitter RT @ProFootballTalk: Dez Bryant won't carry Roy Williams' pads http://is.gd/dIpZl #NFL...Dump his *** in the COLD TUB http://twitter.com/shawnemerriman/status/19534758717
he is a rookie w/ a very bad attitude football is a team sport, this guy will prove to be a pariah another bad decision for the Cowboys
It could be worse. Dez Bryant could have beat the tar out of Roy Williams. When Jeremy Shockey was a rookie in Giants camp, the first day he got to camp they went for lunch in the cafeteria and LB Brandon Short ordered Shockey to get up on the table and sing his alma mater. Shockey had been up late the night before getting his contract done and signed, and refused. Short got in his face about it and Shockey beat the crap out of him.
And another reason I don't think anyone cried when Shockey had to sit on the sidelines during their SB win. Shockey's path isn't one Dez wants to be taking
Other than the amount of media attention it garners, that's matters little. Carpenter's actions didn't destroy the locker room. People want to pretend that Bryant is the first guy that has ever done this and that simply isn't so. There was another Dolphin, whose name escapes me, that did the same thing a while back. I recall it being a big guy, maybe Gardner? I don't know if anybody else recalls who it was. Most people won't b/c usually it really isn't a big deal. This isn't a frat, it's a job and most players and teams treat it that way. Basically a few players don't submit to hazing every year. Most go unnoticed or unreported. Some of those players succeed and some fail, but in the end their success or failure (or the team's success or failure) have nothing to do with the hazing.
Which is bc he was a 1st round pick and is expected to be a big part of the team. If this was the only thing Bryant has done that raised eyebrows, then it wouldn't be getting the attention it is.
I will say, he is a lighting rod....this kid is going to get unwanted media attention over something as stupid as this... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...s-the-chores-of-a-lowly-rookie?urn=nfl-258041
But he's not the first 1st round pick to do it either. Basically, this whole thing is no big deal anymore than it was when the many other players have done the same thing.
Nobody said it was a big deal. But if people already doubt his character and he's going to make a big deal about carrying a vets pads on his 2nd day of camp, then what's next? Def not doing much to prove the people wrong who said he was a diva.
Actually, this thread title claims that it is such a big deal that somebody is relieved we didn't draft an extremely talented player. Even you in this very post are implying this is proof of some huge character flaw.
Anyone who has played team sports of any consequence, whether you view this as childish or not, realize this is part of the process. The main purpose of this process is to see if the rooks will conform within the team environment..."what would you be willing to do for your teammates?" Conforming to the team's culture is paramount but it appears Dez did not get the memo. Again, much like the thing with Ireland, it's fact these issues get to the public that causes the greatest concern. This unwanted attention, with this one directly affecting team chemistry, is why you want to avoid such players. For all the good they can do on the field pales in comparison to the damage they can cause to the locker room.
lol So should I take responsibility for a title I didn't make? All I'm saying is that this action, amongst others, are making Bryant look like the immature diva that he says he isn't.
I freakin hate the Cowboys, so I hope this is a mere glimmer of things to come. Mayhem! Strife! Dissension! Music to my ears! I heard that he already told Romo to throw him the Damn Ball! Texphinphan
The fact this story has lit up every NFL (and many non-NFL) message board, is a top story on every sports websites, has lit up twitter and is discussed on every NFL or sports-related talkshow is the reason you don't want this guy on your team. Regardless of what fans think of this, look at many players twitter pages to see how they feel - it's pretty much universal. Can someone explain how this whole situation helps the Cowboys' cause?
And who is the one that made a big deal out of it, made it front page news? Yep, the guy who's about to lose his job to Dez Bryant....
Either way........I doubt Bryant sought out the media to blow this up. Only one of the two has anything to gain from this.....the guy with his job on the line.
the media is going to have a field day with this guy throughout his entire career. you gotta sense that this isnt the last controversy that the media will find with Dez. He's a lightning rod and i dont think he knows it yet
is it a big deal? no... but he should just do it, being a part of the NFL this is something that all these players went through... its a bonding thing and though not doing it isn't going to change anything for the team or himself, he should have just sucked it up and done it to help the bonding process for him and his teammates...
And that's why Jerry Jones should institute a gag order on that entire team... not just Dez. That team's addiction to attention is it's worst enemy.. That being said..... they got a phenomenal talent, late in the first round.
He's not being disrespectful to Williams he just told him he's not going to be his *****. I'm glad that he stood up for himself.
man, when I used to go to the Cowboys training camp practices back in the 80's, kids would line up for the privilege to help carry anything of the player while he walked back to the locker room... be it a helmet, shoulder pads, whatever. Who knew that was such poor treatment of the youth back then? I'll await the next report from Cowboys camp stating Mr. Bryant refused to drink from the same water "straw" as the rest of his TEAMMATES.
This....as Brandon flows freely like water under a bridge.....couple of more days guys, and the downtime is done....keep ur fingers crossed until Friday, then all the boys will have something to think about for sure....ie...position battle, making the team, Buffalo week 1.....I'm getting EXCITED!!!!!
