Dez Bryant warns Cowboys to not test his loyalty
2014-11-15
Bryant, who can become a free agent after the season, hasn't signed yet, although Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith previously got a massive deal. Recently, the story has become that the Cowboys are worried about giving Bryant a large guarantee because of off-the-field concerns, according to Yahoo's Rand Getlin. Bringing Bryant's past up again is a risky negotiating tactic, especially since the Cowboys could have played up the fact that they stuck with Bryant through his troubles. Bryant is making it moot anyway by dominating most weeks. The Cowboys aren't letting him walk. Everyone knows that.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill reported that Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said they have offered Bryant "some pretty nice contracts." It hasn't been enough. It's not the money that Bryant is worried about.
I just know what Im going to accept and I know what Im not going to accept, Bryant said, according to the Star-Telegram. You know, its not about the money. Its not about none of that. I just feel like a little respect should play a factor in that. I love it [here]. I really do. But every day you grow. Lets see what happens. Its all about respect. Its all about respect. I am a very loyal person, but just dont test my loyalty.
It sounds like it's on the verge of getting contentious in Dallas (if it isn't already). Owner Jerry Jones tried calming the waters earlier this week.
"What we want to do is have an agreement for the rest of Dezs career, Jones said, according to the Dallas Morning News. To me, that says a lot about the concern about off-the-field [issues] if we want him on the Dallas Cowboys for the rest of his career."
Again, it's almost impossible to envision the Cowboys letting Bryant go. He might be the team's most talented player. The biggest goal from now until the extension is finished might be to keep from more public squabbling, to make sure the smiles are as wide as possible when the deal is finally signed.
First of all, Jay Cutler needs to improve his horrible touchdown to interception ratio (27 to 26) that he posted in 2009. That interception total is by far the most he has thrown in his four year NFL career. Not only does he need to develop more consistency in 2010 with ratio, but his receivers need to do so as well. Chicago does not have a true No.1 or star receiver. Who the heck in the NFL [at least at the moment] is afraid of Earl Bennett, Devin Aromashodu, Rashied Davis, Juaquin Iglesias, and Johnny Know? No one that's who. Even each of those five receivers have talent and athleticism of their own, neither one of them have established themselves in the NFL as of yet and part of the reason for that is their youth. Neither one of them have been with the Bears for more than four full seasons.
So that in essence is what Cutler has to deal with. Matt Forte, their star two-dimensional running back, is the best overall player on their offense these days but he CANNOT do it all alone. His body can only take so much. But Cutler despite all the youth and lack of big time ability at receiver, has to be held accountable too. Those receivers are in the NFL for a reason, which means that they belong in this league somehow, and smart NFL betting knows that the Bears have had some real trouble at the Receiver position.
Cutler has the arm strength, the accuracy (when he wants to), the brains (he went to Vanderbilt for God sakes!), and the talent to succeed in this league. But this writer doubts he will ever get as far as he is capable of with the receivers they have. Tight end Greg Olsen is a stud, but he like Forte is only one man (although a very talented man). Olsen is not only a safety valve for Cutler, but he is a heck of an athlete and he can be a vital weapon when the receivers are jammed up in coverage. But don't think defenses haven't seen how much of a vital cog Olsen is to this offense. Because if he gets hurt or goes down, Chicago is in trouble.
The good thing about Cutler though, is that he doesn't have to worry about looking over his shoulder for competition at his position. Caleb Hanie, Brett Basanez, and rookie Dan LeFevour are future players who aren't ready to start for anyone in this league let alone the Bears right now.
Cutler has been tantalizing Bears fans with his talent but one year is an unfair time to assess him. If he stinks up the joint with another INT to TD ratio like in 2009, there may be calls for his head. Barring injury and huge inconsistency, Cutler should be much better in 2010. The Bears have the defense and just enough talent to make some noise in the NFC North. Adding former Minnesota and Baltimore standout Chester Taylor at running back will help the Bears and Forte in 2010. Like Forte, Taylor has been stupendously successful as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield. The onus for the Bears to be successful offensively in 2010 doesn't all fall on Cutler's shoulder's, those receivers have to step up too. Bennett though 4th on the team in catches and 3rd in receiving yards, but its time for him to start making the transition to between 900 to 1,000 yards receiving. He and Cutler played two years together at Vanderbilt, so there has to be some synchronicity with those two.
But if Cutler goes down to injury so goes the Bears season. He, Forte, and the development of the Bears receivers are some of the most vital elements of whatever the Bears will do in 2010, and NFL betting are keeping a keen eye on them. They have the defense, the starting offensive line is good (although 40 percent of it is aging), and head coach Lovie Smith believes in Cutler. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz demands perfection and Cutler will have to adjust or there could be some problems between those two. Martz loves to throw the ball and tire out defenses with multiple passing routes, and Cutler excels at throwing intermediate, short, and deep passes. Cutler has the talent to succeed in Martz's offense, and his systems for years have made some already gifted or talented receivers and quarterbacks look even better than they should. Then there's the fiasco in San Francisco with Martz and Alex Smith. And Smith is a calm guy and Cutler is not exactly the quietest guy in the room.
Martz and Cutler's relationship could either blow up in the Bears faces or their relationship could place Cutler in the Pro Bowl for years to come. Its pressure being an NFL quarterback, and this story shows that. Cutler has a lot to overcome if he hopes to take the Bears to the next level.
Where do you do your NFL betting? Head over to www.sportsbook.com where everybody bets.