This Is Too Close For Comfort, Dallas Cowboys

By Dink Kearney | Jun 18, 2015

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver

Dez Bryant

(88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback

Sam Shields

(37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are known for drama. Whether it’s signing troubled DE Greg Hardy to a one year contract or drafting marijuana user Randy Gregory, the Cowboys will find a way to make the headlines. Good or bad. Even if they have to part ways with the leading rusher in the NFL, they don’t care.

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But when Dez Bryant says he might sit out the first game of the season, the Cowboys better not chance that. They better wake up and smell the coffee.

Bryant sitting out the first game of the season is “too close for comfort”.

It’s one thing to allow DeMarco Murray to walk because his salary demands were too high. And his injury prone history. But its something totally different to let Bryant sit out the first game of the season, and maybe more, because of a contract dispute.

Bryant is definitely one of the best WR’s in the league, if not the best. He’s been loyal to the Cowboys, sitting back playing under his rookie contract with no complaining. Bryant has proven himself. And then some.

For example, when Bryant first entered the league in 2010, he was a raw talent out of Oklahoma State. His route running wasn’t crisp, him and Romo were constantly out of sync on several occasions, and Bryant had emotional baggage, too.

Bryant fixed all of that.

Bryant worked hard enough to improve his route running to become Tony Romo‘s primary reciever while Miles Austin was still in the fold. Each year his touchdowns, catches, and receiving yards increased. And so did his play making ability. Which caught the attention of opposing defenses and brought on the double teams.

When Bryant is double teamed, everyone benefits. Just ask Murray, who led the league in rushing with 1,845 yards and 13 td’s. Double teaming Bryant allowed Murray to run all over the place. It also allowed Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams, and Jason Witten to beat the defenses in man coverage. Beasley had his best season yet because of all the attention Bryant received.

And Romo led the league in Passer Rating with 113.2.

The whole team benefited from Bryant’s heroics with the Cowboys posting a 12-4 record and a playoff victory. Jason Garrett got a contract extension. And Jerry Jones was named the NFL’s Executive Of The Year. Not saying Bryant was the only reason the Cowboys were successful in 2014.

But he certainly played a significant role in its success.

You get the point. Bryant is a rare talent. So rare that he finds himself in another significant category.

Bryant has scored double-digit TD’s in the last three seasons and he has 56 TD’s in five seasons. He’s in some elite company. Only two more WR’s have more TD’s in five seasons than Bryant. Guess who they are? Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (66) and future Hall of Famer Randy Moss (60).

That’s awesome because Bryant will only get better.

And Bryant has gotten better with his off the field behavior, too. When it was known that Bryant allegedly had a fight with his Mother, Bryant took the necessary steps to correct his anger issues and misguided judgement by seeking counseling. And Jones has a 24 hour security detail accompanying Bryant. So there hasn’t been any behavioral issues that the Cowboys’ brass are so worried about!

And I’m not saying the Cowboys should break the bank and pay Bryant whatever he wants. Because the Cowboys have finally learned that overpaying players doesn’t work out long term. Or allocating all of their money to a player whose not the quarterback. I’m simply saying pay the man what he’s worth.

Bryant made that clear with this statement on twitter: “Everybody voicing opinions..13 mil is cool but where is my security? I’ll wait…5 years without complaining. So how am I selfish?”

Yeah, Jerry and Stephen Jones how is Bryant being selfish? Pay the man what he’s worth because the Cowboys need him for the first game of the season against the Giants.

Please don’t act like the Cowboys don’t need him.

And Bryant has made it clear about testing his loyalty.

Because if he doesn’t play against the Giants, that will be “too close for comfort!”

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