HeHateMe Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=10F026B3-FE87-D8F9-AF1726AD17562A7E Cowboys, Bryant Chilling Out For Now MICKEY SPAGNOLA DallasCowboys.com Columnist June 10, 2004, 6:30 p.m. (CDT) IRVING, Texas - Another "on-field activities day" for the Dallas Cowboys, and another missed practiced by Antonio Bryant on Thursday, but this seems to be more the plan after Tuesday's heated practice confrontation between the wide receiver and head coach than the sign of an impending resolution. Bryant was not present at a second-consecutive closed practice here at Valley Ranch, but sources say the third-year receiver's absence likely represents more of a cooling off period rather than continued petulance on his part or indication his services are no longer wanted by Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells. The Cowboys are scheduled to wrap up their practice sessions on Friday, the conclusion of seven consecutive days of work and their final on-field football activity until reporting to training camp on July 29 in Oxnard, Calif., and Bryant is not expected to be present. Sources say he might have returned home to the Miami area. And judging from what took place Tuesday, that might be just enough distance between Bryant and Parcells to preclude any further blowups. Bryant and Parcells got into a heated exchange, according to practice witnesses Tuesday afternoon, after the third-year receiver engaged in arguments with veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson and then new receivers coach Todd Haley. It's suspected Bryant is disenchanted with his role in the offense, playing behind Johnson and veteran Terry Glenn. But when Parcells stepped in to mediate the exchange, evidently Bryant took off his jersey and threw it to the ground. Parcells then flung the jersey back at the Cowboys' former second-round pick in 2002 and kicked him out of practice. Bryant was escorted off the field and from the practice facility by club security. Bryant's agent Peter Schaffer told ESPN he has spoken with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and that the matter between the club and Bryant has been ironed out. Schaffer said he expects Bryant to remain with the team, and that any form of punishment resulting from the blowup would be handled internally. While Parcells and Jones have chosen not to comment on the incident, apparently Parcells decided it would be best for both the club and Bryant if there was a cooling-off period. Bryant has been known for his mood swings and at times volatile temper, displayed often on the sideline during games when something goes wrong. Still, the Cowboys do not have a more talented receiver behind projected starters Johnson and Glenn. In fact, after Bryant, the remaining receivers having combined for all of three NFL catches - all by last year's rookie Zuriel Smith. So the loss of Bryant would be crippling at this point. Without Bryant or even if Bryant returns on tenuous terms, finding a capable third receiver at this time of the summer would not be easy. Most available free-agent receivers are either old or coming off injuries. Some of the more notable names still available in free agency are Antonio Freeman, Oronde Gadsden, James Jett, Frank Sanders, Kevin Lockett, Dedric Ward and Reggie Barlow, and none last year ranked among the top 100 in receptions. Plus, the last thing the Cowboys need is another Thirtysomething receiver, since next month Johnson turns 32 and Glenn turns 30. But don't be surprised if the Cowboys try to cover their receiver bases by bringing in another receiver with some experience. They can't take the chance Bryant doesn't use up what likely will be his final strike at some point with Parcells. At this point, it would seem an inexpensive insurance policy is needed. Bryant's production fell off last year, even though he finished third on the club with 39 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant played mostly behind Joey Galloway and Glenn, but far too many times dropped passes or allowed himself to get bumped off routes. The second-year receiver also seemed to freelance on routes far too often, one reason he only started five games last year after starting 15 his rookie season. That year Bryant showed signs of being worthy of his No. 88 jersey, finishing with 44 catches for 733 yards and six touchdowns, good enough to earn him all-rookie honors in the NFL. The Cowboys, though, do have some financial considerations when it comes to Bryant. If the Cowboys decide to release Bryant, his cap charge would be $139,285 for 2004 and 2005. The Cowboys would recover his $380,000 base salary for 2004. But if the Cowboys went the trade route to rid themselves of the headache, Bryant's cap charge would be $278,570 for this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Die Hard Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 Originally posted by HeHateMe The Cowboys, though, do have some financial considerations when it comes to Bryant. If the Cowboys decide to release Bryant, his cap charge would be $139,285 for 2004 and 2005. The Cowboys would recover his $380,000 base salary for 2004. But if the Cowboys went the trade route to rid themselves of the headache, Bryant's cap charge would be $278,570 for this season. Financial considerations? I don't think it could be any more minimal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 139,285 for 2004 and 2005. But if the Cowboys went the trade route to rid themselves of the headache, Bryant's cap charge would be $278,570 for this season. Whew. However will they recover from that cap hit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHateMe Posted June 11, 2004 Author Share Posted June 11, 2004 Originally posted by Park City Skins 139,285 for 2004 and 2005. But if the Cowboys went the trade route to rid themselves of the headache, Bryant's cap charge would be $278,570 for this season. Whew. However will they recover from that cap hit? It would be tough. But I think we would be back on track in 2006. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 Cap hell I tell ya. Cap hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHateMe Posted June 11, 2004 Author Share Posted June 11, 2004 Originally posted by Park City Skins Cap hell I tell ya. Cap hell. It would be reminiscent of the 2002 season. :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfdc Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 so let me get this straight. Hines Ward is a consideration for a team willing to take him in and suddenly simor, er I mean Bryant is a possible problem in Dallas. smell something here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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