The Realist
06-12-2004, 07:18 AM
Bryant still exiled; team adds a WR
By Jennifer Floyd Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - Despite mounting evidence that his days as a Cowboy might be numbered, including trade offers, receiver Antonio Bryant remains hopeful that fences can be mended with coach Bill Parcells, allowing his return to the team.
"Antonio does not want to go anywhere," Bryant's agent, Peter Schaffer, said Friday. "He's a Dallas Cowboy. That's the way we view it. His hope is that things can be worked out."
Bryant went from being a key part, to hoping to be a part, of the Cowboys' 2004 team with his tantrum Tuesday that ended with him throwing a jersey in Parcells' face and being escorted by security from practice. Schaffer declined comment when asked if Bryant had talked to Parcells and/or attempted to apologize.
What is apparent, as the Cowboys bolstered their receiving corps by signing veteran Dedric Ward on Friday, is more effort seems to be directed to preparing for life without Bryant than keeping him.
A source confirmed the Cowboys have been fielding offers from teams interested in trading for Bryant. And while Schaffer said neither Parcells nor Cowboys owner Jerry Jones mentioned trading or releasing Bryant during talks Wednesday, Schaffer admits he has not spoken with them since and further talks about Bryant's future have not been scheduled.
Schaffer also denied published reports that Jones had assured him Bryant would be back with the Cowboys.
"I couldn't tell you how it will play out," Schaffer said. "If they want to trade him, they can. If they want to release him, they can. We are not going to ask for those things, but we have no control over that if they do."
The Cowboys are certainly in better position to handle life without Bryant than they were 24 hours ago.
The signing of Ward, who caught seven passes for 106 yards in a limited role for the New England Patriots last season, gives the Cowboys a veteran option at the third receiver spot if Bryant is not back. Ward also has BPP (Bill Parcells Player) on his résumé. He was drafted by and played for Parcells with the New York Jets in 1997-99.
Ward met with Parcells on Friday at Valley Ranch, where, among other things, his role on the team was discussed.
"He and coach Parcells had a lengthy conversation about it," said Stephen Hayes, Ward's agent. "Dedric left that meeting feeling very strong about his opportunity in Dallas."
Ward signed a one-year deal for $660,000 plus incentives. The Cowboys had not been in talks with Ward before Bryant's antics Tuesday. And, if the Cowboys were looking at Ward to supplement their receiving corps rather than replace Bryant, they likely would have signed him last week in time for him to participate in minicamp. The minicamp ended Monday and the on-field activity days concluded Friday. The team will not practice again until training camp begins July 30 in Oxnard, Calif.
Bryant did not attend the Cowboys' final three "voluntary," on-field workouts. Schaffer said his client returned to Miami where he was working out on his own.
Team spokesman Rich Dalrymple reiterated Friday that neither Parcells nor Jones would have any comment on whether Bryant has been told to stay away -- he simply had failed to show up -- or his spot on the team in general. But Schaffer said Bryant is willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.
"Everyone wishes the incident didn't happen, but it did. But now we hope it can be worked out," Schaffer said. "Right now, Antonio is a Dallas Cowboy and that is how we are proceeding."
The Cowboys are not likely to cut their 2002 second-round pick without first trying to get something in return. It is only if they cannot orchestrate a trade that they would have to decide whether to cut him or keep him. Signing Ward makes cutting Bryant a lot more plausible.
Bickerstaff injured
Second-year running back Erik Bickerstaff, a backup to rookie Julius Jones, tore his Achilles' tendon Wednesday and is expected to miss the season. He had surgery Friday.
The loss leaves the Cowboys with Jones, Aveion Cason and Rashard Lee at running back, with only Cason having any real NFL experience. Fullback Richie Anderson is expected to have an increased role at running back, but the Cowboys might pursue a veteran. One possibility is former Bills running back Antowain Smith.
Dedric Ward file
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185
College: Northern Iowa
Year Team G GS No Yards Avg Lg TD
1997 Jets 11 1 18 212 11.8 33 1
1998 Jets 16 4 25 477 19.1 71 4
1999 Jets 16 10 22 325 14.8 56 3
2000 Jets 16 16 54 801 14.8 61 3
2001 Dolphins 13 1 21 209 10.0 20 0
2002 Dolphins 16 1 19 172 9.1 22 0
2003 Patriots 7 0 7 106 15.1 31 1
Totals 95 33 166 2302 13.9 71 12
I actually thought Reshard Lee showed a lot more than Bick did. Bick and Tham looked like bookends. Time to step up Reshard.
By Jennifer Floyd Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - Despite mounting evidence that his days as a Cowboy might be numbered, including trade offers, receiver Antonio Bryant remains hopeful that fences can be mended with coach Bill Parcells, allowing his return to the team.
"Antonio does not want to go anywhere," Bryant's agent, Peter Schaffer, said Friday. "He's a Dallas Cowboy. That's the way we view it. His hope is that things can be worked out."
Bryant went from being a key part, to hoping to be a part, of the Cowboys' 2004 team with his tantrum Tuesday that ended with him throwing a jersey in Parcells' face and being escorted by security from practice. Schaffer declined comment when asked if Bryant had talked to Parcells and/or attempted to apologize.
What is apparent, as the Cowboys bolstered their receiving corps by signing veteran Dedric Ward on Friday, is more effort seems to be directed to preparing for life without Bryant than keeping him.
A source confirmed the Cowboys have been fielding offers from teams interested in trading for Bryant. And while Schaffer said neither Parcells nor Cowboys owner Jerry Jones mentioned trading or releasing Bryant during talks Wednesday, Schaffer admits he has not spoken with them since and further talks about Bryant's future have not been scheduled.
Schaffer also denied published reports that Jones had assured him Bryant would be back with the Cowboys.
"I couldn't tell you how it will play out," Schaffer said. "If they want to trade him, they can. If they want to release him, they can. We are not going to ask for those things, but we have no control over that if they do."
The Cowboys are certainly in better position to handle life without Bryant than they were 24 hours ago.
The signing of Ward, who caught seven passes for 106 yards in a limited role for the New England Patriots last season, gives the Cowboys a veteran option at the third receiver spot if Bryant is not back. Ward also has BPP (Bill Parcells Player) on his résumé. He was drafted by and played for Parcells with the New York Jets in 1997-99.
Ward met with Parcells on Friday at Valley Ranch, where, among other things, his role on the team was discussed.
"He and coach Parcells had a lengthy conversation about it," said Stephen Hayes, Ward's agent. "Dedric left that meeting feeling very strong about his opportunity in Dallas."
Ward signed a one-year deal for $660,000 plus incentives. The Cowboys had not been in talks with Ward before Bryant's antics Tuesday. And, if the Cowboys were looking at Ward to supplement their receiving corps rather than replace Bryant, they likely would have signed him last week in time for him to participate in minicamp. The minicamp ended Monday and the on-field activity days concluded Friday. The team will not practice again until training camp begins July 30 in Oxnard, Calif.
Bryant did not attend the Cowboys' final three "voluntary," on-field workouts. Schaffer said his client returned to Miami where he was working out on his own.
Team spokesman Rich Dalrymple reiterated Friday that neither Parcells nor Jones would have any comment on whether Bryant has been told to stay away -- he simply had failed to show up -- or his spot on the team in general. But Schaffer said Bryant is willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.
"Everyone wishes the incident didn't happen, but it did. But now we hope it can be worked out," Schaffer said. "Right now, Antonio is a Dallas Cowboy and that is how we are proceeding."
The Cowboys are not likely to cut their 2002 second-round pick without first trying to get something in return. It is only if they cannot orchestrate a trade that they would have to decide whether to cut him or keep him. Signing Ward makes cutting Bryant a lot more plausible.
Bickerstaff injured
Second-year running back Erik Bickerstaff, a backup to rookie Julius Jones, tore his Achilles' tendon Wednesday and is expected to miss the season. He had surgery Friday.
The loss leaves the Cowboys with Jones, Aveion Cason and Rashard Lee at running back, with only Cason having any real NFL experience. Fullback Richie Anderson is expected to have an increased role at running back, but the Cowboys might pursue a veteran. One possibility is former Bills running back Antowain Smith.
Dedric Ward file
Height: 5-9
Weight: 185
College: Northern Iowa
Year Team G GS No Yards Avg Lg TD
1997 Jets 11 1 18 212 11.8 33 1
1998 Jets 16 4 25 477 19.1 71 4
1999 Jets 16 10 22 325 14.8 56 3
2000 Jets 16 16 54 801 14.8 61 3
2001 Dolphins 13 1 21 209 10.0 20 0
2002 Dolphins 16 1 19 172 9.1 22 0
2003 Patriots 7 0 7 106 15.1 31 1
Totals 95 33 166 2302 13.9 71 12
I actually thought Reshard Lee showed a lot more than Bick did. Bick and Tham looked like bookends. Time to step up Reshard.