Headcase Dez Bryant Off Bucs’ Early Draft Board
March 31st, 2010
Diva-ish Dez Bryant, widely considered the most talented wide receiver in next month’s draft but already building a resume as a world-class moron, apparently has Pearl Harbored his chances of being selected by the Bucs.
Bryant, banned by the NCAA last year for a dubious relationship with Deion Sanders, lied to the NCAA about his background. That got him thrown off his Oklahoma State team. And Bryant put an exclamation point on his shady past yesterday when, just before his most important interview for millions of dollars, forgot his shoes (cleats) to his pro day workout.
Joe wonders if the reason he forgot his cleats was because he remembered to bring his weed?
Today, per the Associated Press via Sirius NFL Radio, Bryant lashed out at critics who wondered how he could forget his most important attire for his biggest interview for millions of dollars. Bryant barked, using grammar mastered apparently in graduate-level classes at Oklahoma State, “What do this got to do with me playing football? Even if I did forget my cleats, what do that have to do with me playing football? I don’t think it has anything to do with me playing football.”
Well, it’s kinda hard to play wide receiver wearing only socks. Sort of like Albert Pujols forgetting to bring a bat to the plate.
This latest dumb stunt apparently was the last straw for the Bucs. Eye-RAH! Kaufman, of the Tampa Tribune, writes that the Bucs want nothing to do with this Terrell Owens-wannabe early in the draft.
The former Oklahoma standout is the most talented wide receiver in the draft and the Bucs have a desperate need to upgrade targets for Josh Freeman, but Bryant comes with risks and the Bucs are adamant about avoiding risks this time around.
After catching 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 TDs in 2008, Bryant missed most of last season due to an NCAA suspension for lying to investigators about his relationship with Deion Sanders. He ran a pedestrian 4.53 in the 40 during his Pro Day Tuesday in Texas, with Bucs WR coach Eric Yarber in attendance.
Even if Bryant is still sitting there at No. 25, don’t expect the Bucs to move up to get him. There are too many questions about his character and his love for football—a top priority for Dominik and the Glazers.
Pat Kirwan, of Sirius NFL Radio and a former NFL executive, had this Bryant character pegged weeks ago when, after interviewing Bryant and talking to his contacts in the front offices of various NFL teams, said he wouldn’t touch Bryant in the first round and that he had no heart or burning desire to play in the NFL. Kirwan added that Bryant’s greatest passion was cashing checks.
Joe is glad to learn Dominik is forgetting about this dope.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:10 pm
The joke is on you “DOPE”. Bryant will be hugely successful in the NFL. A Pro Bowler by year 3. If you dug a little deeper than just reading the headlines, you’d realize Bryant is not a bad guy, a bit immature, but not a bad dude. This guy will be on the Fitz/Andre Johnson level in 3 years or less.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:12 pm
LOL!
March 31st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Plenty of other quality recievers in this draft.Dez LONG gone by the time Goddell skips to th podium for the Bucs 1st of 2 2nd rounders……….
March 31st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
They don’t need guys like this on the team.
I don’t care how good he is. Until players see that acting like this will affect their wallet we will continue to see these immature a-holes coming out of college.
Lets see how his attitude changes when he doesn’t get drafted until the second round.
Besides the Bucs already have one wideout cashing checks with no passion for the game.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I think a lot of Joebucsfan.com contributors called this idiot out even before cleatgate.
I hope they stay far, far away, even if he slips to Round II.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:25 pm
A child forgets his shoes, not a man. The Bucs don’t need a high maintenance guy like this. There will be a quality receiver in the 2nd round. I see the Bucs going receiver in rounds 2 & 3 (depending who is there of course).
March 31st, 2010 at 2:25 pm
LOL “Cleatgate.”
March 31st, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I was high on this guy until the dirt started coming out. He “doesn’t like slant routes” and forgets his shoes to a job interview. He appears uneducated and (and I’m assuming) getting by on his athleticism. He may have skills, but no thanks. It does sound like he just needs life guidance, but if your going to pay somebody millions of dollars, I would hope they already have some sense of direction.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I have been down on him since day 1. dude had all year to show up to the combine in shape, but doesn’t work out due to a bad hammy. C’mon son! Then when you finally workout for scouts/GMs, you forget your cleats, and run what some clocked 5.57-5.62…forget this guy!
March 31st, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I’m with Jackson. I think the guy is going to be great. I think someone is going to get a steal on this kid. It doubt it will be the Bucs as they can’t afford to take a chance on him, but someone is going to get a really great talent — and I don’t see him slipping out of the 1st round either. He remindes me of Randy Moss when he came out of college. How did that work out?
March 31st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
2 buc bill your wrong he ran in the 4.5 range..
Its funny how everyone has something to say about the kids grammar.. wtf does that have to do with his football skills? who cares how he speaks!! im sure all of us arent english majors and have grammar issues too.. But besides this cmon man this kid is gna be a star.. and everyone who is bashing him now is gna choke on the words they are writing about this guy.. the combine and pro work outs are dumb as hell.. you mean to tell me this guy is making unbelievable catches and scoring tds in games but he runs a 4.53 so that means hes not as good a football player? And with Brandon Spikes the kid runs through rbs and makes vicious hits but he has a bad 40 and now hes not a good football player? the combine and pro work outs are over rated check the f**king tapes. Bryant is a baller and when hes scoring tds on us everybody is gna be like why didnt we pick him?
March 31st, 2010 at 2:45 pm
acharlot5:
On it’s own, not being able to speak the King’s English doesn’t mean much at all.
Add up all the recent stunts and practices, even a guy walking with a white cane can see a pattern: Bryant is either very immature or downright dumb.
Since the Bucs are putting such a profound emphasis on this draft, they can’t afford to take a gamble in the first, second or perhaps in the third round.
Why take a stab at a guy with a ton of baggage when the Bucs could have all sorts of good receivers with zero baggage?
March 31st, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Sorry acharlot5, I tried to check the 2009 tapes but could not find this superstar on any of them. Oh, my bad, I forgot he was suspended and did not play!
Yes, Moss had issues and overcame them to be a true star. But he always had a HEART for the game!
T.O. had issues and overcame them to be a true star. But he always had aHEART for the game!
Sapp had issues and overcame them to be a true star. But he always had a HEART for the game!
On and on we could go listing all the guys that overcame deversity and bad persona to become true superstars. But each and every one of them that succeeded had the passionate HEART for the game.
Dez “wanna-be rich more than anything else” Bryant has no HEART for the game. It’s evidenced by his no-shows at team practices due to oversleeping, his late arrival at actual games, due to oversleeping and now showing up to the #1 most important date in your professional career unprepared? Give me a break!
This guy will be a major headache and when compared to the money he will make if somebody takes him in the first round, he will be a major BUST!
With all the athleticism in the Pro level it takes hard work, perseverance and a great deal of time intense studying to play at a high level. He has the athleticism but absolutely nothing else!
March 31st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Thought some folks might want to read up on Bryant the person since it seems to be a hot topic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/sports/ncaafootball/25okstate.html?pagewanted=print
Not saying his upbringing excuses his behavior but you might at least want some context on the guy.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
More quotes from the genius:
“I ain’t never got in trouble with nobody. I never said anything. I don’t say anything wrong to nobody. I’m friendly. This here is too far. ”
“I haven’t did anything wrong to nobody.”
I am surprised the guy could find the stadium in order to forget his cleats.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Way too big of a risk to pick him. How in the world can you forget your cleats for essentially an interview? I don’t get this at all. He had all this time to prepare for this day and he does this?! I am sorry, but this guy is very immature. He’s going to need a big time headstrong head coach to handle him. That certainly isn’t Rah who wants to be buddies with everyone.
I for the longest time thought he was going to be a huge star in the league. Now I am starting to have my doubts. He just does one stupid thing after another.
The Bucs will get McCoy with their first pick and then they can concentrate on receivers in the 2nd round. I really wish star receivers would act more like Andre Johnson of the Texans. The guy is a professional all the way. He doesn’t cause distractions. I hardly hear a peep out of him during the season. And this is a bit of surprise since he went to UM where bragging is an art form. Steve Largent was another great receiver who just did his job and didn’t cause waves.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
“…when the Bucs could have all sorts of good receivers with zero baggage?”
Umm, who?
March 31st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
..let me clarify before getting jumped on — who, with that kind of talent.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:10 pm
acharlot5
i said that “some clocked him at 5.57-5.62” – which was reported yesterday by adam schefter, so I’m not wrong
March 31st, 2010 at 3:10 pm
gruss222-You obviously didn’t see Moss in Oakland where he basically tanked it. Not sure if TO is a good example either. Early in his career TO worked hard and then suddenly he became TO and it was all about him. I actually think Keyshawn is a better example. The guy is a pain in the ass, but I always thought the guy went hard on every play. Don’t think you can say that about Moss or TO.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Maybe like the Sapp situation…falls down the Boards and we get him in
the 2nd round
March 31st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Golden Tate
Arrelious Benn
Demaryius Thomas
To name a few.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
The NCAA disagrees.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Irs a disgrace somebody didn’t tutor the kid along at Oklahoma State at least to the point of speaking some basic English.
Thats sad to see, especially as the Article reveals he has shown some definite courage and probably could have learned if they were concerned with anything besides his football skills, which they obviously were not.
Steve, your absoultely correct, it shows some context.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Eric S,
No argument hear!
T.O. became s star under Jerry Rice’s mentorship. Headcase after.
Randy Moss became a star under Chris Carter’s mentorship. Headcase after.
R. Moss regains stardom under Belichek strong handed coaching.
Who, on our Bucs can “mentor” Dez Bryant?
Just my opinion, he is untouchable before the second round. And, if Thomas and Bryant are both on the board I run to the podium with
Bay-Bay’s draft ticket!
March 31st, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Very good points gross222, very good.
Joe believes Moss was something more than a headcase before he ever met Chris Carter. Remember, the dude got run out of both Florida State and Notre Dame for multiple problems.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
jfgobucs:
Not sure if the Sapp analogy is fair to Sapp. To Joe’s best memory, Sapp was rumored to be smoking hippie lettuce and nothing else.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Take care gents. Believe it or not, I’m flying out to St. Louis in a few. Have to grab some local pub goosip while I’m there and see what Ram fans are clammering about.
Have a great weekend and it puts us one closer to a conclusion for this debate.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Cardinals game or toasted ravioli?
March 31st, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Maybe the kid aint so bad. In this video he talkes about buying his mother a house. A little Warrick Dunnesque. Perhaps he was having a really bad day diction wise, doesn’t seem nearly as horrendous in this interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQkpfTsyBb8
March 31st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@Joe: My bad, you said “good” receivers. I thought you meant “great”.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I tell you, this kid is getting trashed so he falls in the draft. He’s going to be great for somebody.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I don’t like taking WRs in the first round anyway. Benn or Tate in round two, along with a corner.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:29 pm
No problem Louie.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Yesterdays workout he was not in good shape that is the reason why his 40 thimes were inconsistent they got worse after each one. There is also a rumor that he shows up 1 hour before the games. There will be good recivers all over in this draft. I would stay away from Benn too only 5 TD’s in 3 years I beleive he is inconsistent( beleive me I am a Ohio State Alumseen him his 3 years) the excuse is his QB was not conisistent, ok The kid from Geoeria Tech Qb was horriable and he had a great year in a option offense. I also like Tate and that is who I really want talking about a steve smith Clone his speacilty YAC only problem he is small like straughter dont know if the Bucs want that
March 31st, 2010 at 5:27 pm
“….he had a great year in a option offense.” That is the problem, playing against teams concentrating on stopping the run, DBs lulled, & easy passes hit. Thomas didn’t run much of a route package at Tech, mostly goes or curls. He is more of a project-type guy from what I read.
Benn, I saw a bit of video on him, show some good things, but I certainly didn’t follow his college career. Some media-types say he is more “pro-ready” than most of this group of WRs.
Tate has a lot of good qualities other than size. Dropped some, but also made some excellent catches on under-thrown Clausen rainbows.I don’t think he is limited to the slot, but will need to work on the jam.
There will be fairly good prospects in later rounds if the Bucs choose to target another spot in the second.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Dez has mad skills and huge potential. Look at the film. It’s all there. The problem is he has been alone, obviously, and not coached on how to work the draft. He was unfamiliar with the drills. He made the Deon mistake and lied. IMO he just hasn’t been given the right advice by his Coaches at Okie State and since then has been left on an island. Now we are all responsible for our own behavior and Dez has not mastered his grammar. But that doesn’t make him a bad guy or a bad football player. There clearly is risk with this pick, but again look at the film, and what pick doesn’t come with risk? Other than Peyton Manning. Everyone said Moss would infect the Pats, but look at how well the Hoodie has handled him. If Dez Bryant is still on the board by the Bucs 2’nd pick (doubtful) I’d take him. He needs a mentor, someone that cares about him, who will persuade him to be his best self (lol)….Raheem the Dream. I personally think Dez would fit right in with a young team like Tampa, but Raheem needs to implement a little more regimentation with these youngsters. I think Dez will be great if he finds the right Teacher, but if he ends up with a Coach that just treats him as any other player and bullies him, he’ll end up in the scrap heap.
March 31st, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I’d still take him with our 3rd round pick if he fell that far.
No sooner.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Not so sure this years receiver class is dynasty rich.
Dez is a head case and his tape looks like he doesn’t get great seperation, but leaps to make a lot of athletic style catches.
Tate is small.
Bay Bay didnt perform in a pro style offense.
Benn didnt catch many touchdowns.
Gee, maybe they shoulda re-signed Antonio?
March 31st, 2010 at 6:39 pm
All I’m gonna say is if raheem passes on bryant and we face him and burns us for 4TDS dominik and raheem should be fired for passen on this guy. As every expert says the film doest lie and its not his faly his mom was a piece of garbage and didn’t teach her son how to be a man! He has to learn the hard way! It will be all on the bucs if this guy is a pro bowler and hall of famer! I’m tellin yea watch! Oh he has set up a visit with the bucs!
March 31st, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Eric, that is what scouts are for. Other teams have them. Consider Austin Collie (4th round),Marques Colston (7th), & Miles Austin (undrafted).
You can find negatives on just about anyone.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:47 pm
OK Joe,
Hypothetical: The Bucs are sitting at 45 having taken already taken a DT and DE. Dez Bryant is still on the board, however, D. Thomas, A. Benn and G. Tate are all off the board.
Do you take Bryant then? Do you take Damian Williams from USC who is a hard worker/details guy but not the athlete or playmaker Bryant is, or do you look for WR’s in the later rounds and address another position.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:52 pm
The Bucs have so many holes to fill that they need to get the best available on their board regardless of position. There will be many more Dez Bryants to come or better. I still think it best to use as many picks as needed to build the defense. Worry about offense in 2011 or 2012 whenever they decide to play. Dez is very tempting though.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:02 pm
It usually takes QB’s a few years to develop, so why not build the defense now, let Freeman make his mistakes, and give him the weapons when he is ready to use them. I may be wrong and he may be ready now, but just as a QB can get shell shocked by playing too soon, a WR can as well by having a QB that can’t get him the ball. I would like to have a Defense that can score on average 10 points per game and hold opponents to 16. Freeman and the offense have to be good enough for 7 points. Bucs win! Yea! Go Bucs!!! 2 more bartinis please, martender.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:07 pm
“Eric Says:
March 31st, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Tate is small.”
So was Desean Jackson. Even Smaller as a matter of fact.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:41 pm
tate maybe small but hes not Desean Jackson he doesnt have the speed or the hands! i like tate but i would take bryant over tate any day! Freemen needs recievers now and not next year Freemen will get killed especially with clayton and brown dropping one pass after another! thomas could be landing with the jets and tate with the bengals and cowboys would defeinitly draft bryant besides those three would could the bucs draft to be there #1 reciever who is bonnified starter right now beside bryant and tate ?
March 31st, 2010 at 9:13 pm
I don’t think there is any way Dez falls out of the 1st round. Come on now. Let’s be serious. When you have talent, there are many teams that overlook behavioral flaws. Dallas for instance probably won’t pass him up if he is available. I could easily see them taking him and cutting Roy Williams. That could be taking a bit too far, but it wouldn’t surprise me. He and Romo just haven’t connected on or off the field.
I really wanted the Bucs to get Desean Jackson when he came out. I remember telling my brother they should draft him. Only 9 picks away. The Bucs could have had him instead of Dexter Jackson. What a difference that would have made.
I prefer a receiver that simply makes plays. I just read the scouting report on D. Thomas from GT. The scout compared him to Michael Clayton. Next! Hehe. I like what I read on D. Williams from USC. He is described as a great route runner. The Bucs need a receiver like that. Someone who Freeman can count on being where he is supposed to be.
March 31st, 2010 at 10:04 pm
@mike J
“Eric, that is what scouts are for”
Precisely what I am worried about!
March 31st, 2010 at 10:38 pm
@Radio Mushmouth
I am no talent scout. I was just pointing out all the flaws others were talking about, and differing opinions, which makes the draft such a crapshoot and inexact science.
Which is why, IMO it is inherently foolish to put all your eggs in the draft basket when your trying to rebuild. Especially with the scouting department at one buc place, which is iffy at best.
March 31st, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Why’s everybody saying he doesn’t have role models and mentors in his life, he’s friends with Deion Sanders, Pacman Jones, and Michael Crabtree. How much better role models could a guy ask for?
I’d really like to know what his major was at Ok. State. Underwater Basket Weaving? Swimming Pool Management? This has got to be a prime example of the program keeping a guy enrolled in school.
Dez Bryant_________________10′ Pole__________________Bucs
March 31st, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Uh oh that Benn guy from Illinois only scored 11 on the Wonderlic.
Pretty much means he lacks the sense to poor piss out of a boot, if he knows what a boot is.
March 31st, 2010 at 11:40 pm
They way I see it I would draft bryant and shipley and cooper how about that not a bad combo!
April 1st, 2010 at 12:55 am
@ Eric S
Funny you bring up Dallas…When Randy Moss was coming out, and it was widely known he was one of if not the best talent coming out, the two teams most widely linked to Moss were Dallas and Oakland. Well Dallas had, I believe the 8th pick overall that year. Who did they take? The great Ebenezer Ekuban. For you Cowboys fans who vaguely remember, he was a DE.
Moss fell to 21 and the rest was history. I was very much a proponent of the Bucs trading up and snatching him, but rumor has it McKay was not a fan of the off the field stuff. Instead we traded down and drafted Jaquez Green instead. Go us.
Dez Bryant will fall. How far? Beats me, but he very well could slide right out of Rd 1 based one three things 1. Questionable committment to football 2. Bombed interviews/rough upbringing and 3. Not playing most of the last year and not proving to have elite speed (which is likely due to a lack of training/work ethic, I fully believe he has the speed).
Players, especially in the post Pacman error (pun) are researched intensely regarding their character. You don’t invest millions in a kid who by all indications isn’t going give you 100% and will likely mismanage his money and lifestyle in the process.
April 1st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
JACKSON:
and others who think Dez will be a star… maybe he will and I hope he is a good kid and does well, but there are a BUNCH of other WRs in the draft that are just as good and can be had in round 2. There is no reason to take the risk with Dez in round 1-2 because of that.