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By Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
October 28, 2004
The bye week will not be much of a bye for Antonio Bryant.
The newest member of the Browns receiving corps will be plenty busy during the team's week off not only continuing to study and grow more comfortable in the Browns' offense, but also tying up loose ends in Dallas, where he played for two-plus seasons.
Bryant has made it very clear however, that once his house is sold in Dallas, the city will be a place of the past for the 23-year-old Miami-native.
"There's no looking back," he said. "I'm here. I have caught Cleveland passes and have Cleveland stats now. I'm here."
A new environment not only gives Bryant a chance for a rebirth after a rough tenure in Dallas in which he had a well-documented rocky relationship with Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells. It also gives him a chance to excel at what he does best.
While not a physically imposing receiver at 6-1, 192 pounds, Bryant gained a reputation in college at Pitt and in Dallas for being mentally prepared.
"The biggest thing is preparation," Bryant said. "I need to control what I can control, which is whatever the coaches hand me. And I need to prepare myself the best way to benefit the team whether it's blocking, catching passes or making big plays. Those are things I love to do-whatever benefits the team to win."
Bryant was drafted in the second round in 2002 by Browns defensive coordinator Dave Campo, who was the Cowboys head coach at the time.
After injuries during the preseason depleted the team's receiving corps, Bryant became only the second receiver in Cowboys history to open the season as a starting wide receiver (Michael Irvin, 1988).
Bryant went on to lead all NFL rookie receivers with 733 yards. He finished the season tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions and second all-time in receptions by a rookie in club history.
His great start went sour over a two-year relationship with Parcells, which hit a fever pitch during '04 training camp when Bryant threw a sweaty jersey into his coach's face.
Bryant was traded to the Browns last week in exchange for receiver Quincy Morgan despite recording 16 catches for 266 yards in the team's first five games.
While Bryant is not talking about Parcells or the Cowboys any longer, he did take one jab, pointing out some strict rules from Dallas non-existent with the Browns.
"You can play the radio here," Bryant said. "You couldn't play the radio in the locker room (in Dallas). (Music) allows you to lose tension and get into your groove. It refreshes your mind.
"Football is a fun thing. When I came (to Cleveland), the coaches kept reiterating to go out there and have fun. It wasn't just, ‘You better win.' (Winning) is what we play for. If you're not here to win, you shouldn't be here. But they keep reminding us to have fun with winning. When the fun is out of football, it's not football anymore. It's just a job."
Bryant stressed perks like these and a more laid back attitude are only worthwhile if they help the team win games.
He is 0-1 with his new club, but after only two and a half days of practice, he did contribute in the loss with two catches for 26 yards, both on third down.
Head coach Butch Davis commended Bryant following the game for making only one mental mistake in 22 plays despite the short time to prepare.
"The more time you put into it, the better results you're going to get," Bryant said. "I'm going to put a lot of effort into getting better and knowing the playbook so my results are better.
"We're trying to get to the playoffs and be successful. There are nine more games left, which is a lot of football, so that's what we're trying to do."
October 28, 2004
The bye week will not be much of a bye for Antonio Bryant.
The newest member of the Browns receiving corps will be plenty busy during the team's week off not only continuing to study and grow more comfortable in the Browns' offense, but also tying up loose ends in Dallas, where he played for two-plus seasons.
Bryant has made it very clear however, that once his house is sold in Dallas, the city will be a place of the past for the 23-year-old Miami-native.
"There's no looking back," he said. "I'm here. I have caught Cleveland passes and have Cleveland stats now. I'm here."
A new environment not only gives Bryant a chance for a rebirth after a rough tenure in Dallas in which he had a well-documented rocky relationship with Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells. It also gives him a chance to excel at what he does best.
While not a physically imposing receiver at 6-1, 192 pounds, Bryant gained a reputation in college at Pitt and in Dallas for being mentally prepared.
"The biggest thing is preparation," Bryant said. "I need to control what I can control, which is whatever the coaches hand me. And I need to prepare myself the best way to benefit the team whether it's blocking, catching passes or making big plays. Those are things I love to do-whatever benefits the team to win."
Bryant was drafted in the second round in 2002 by Browns defensive coordinator Dave Campo, who was the Cowboys head coach at the time.
After injuries during the preseason depleted the team's receiving corps, Bryant became only the second receiver in Cowboys history to open the season as a starting wide receiver (Michael Irvin, 1988).
Bryant went on to lead all NFL rookie receivers with 733 yards. He finished the season tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions and second all-time in receptions by a rookie in club history.
His great start went sour over a two-year relationship with Parcells, which hit a fever pitch during '04 training camp when Bryant threw a sweaty jersey into his coach's face.
Bryant was traded to the Browns last week in exchange for receiver Quincy Morgan despite recording 16 catches for 266 yards in the team's first five games.
While Bryant is not talking about Parcells or the Cowboys any longer, he did take one jab, pointing out some strict rules from Dallas non-existent with the Browns.
"You can play the radio here," Bryant said. "You couldn't play the radio in the locker room (in Dallas). (Music) allows you to lose tension and get into your groove. It refreshes your mind.
"Football is a fun thing. When I came (to Cleveland), the coaches kept reiterating to go out there and have fun. It wasn't just, ‘You better win.' (Winning) is what we play for. If you're not here to win, you shouldn't be here. But they keep reminding us to have fun with winning. When the fun is out of football, it's not football anymore. It's just a job."
Bryant stressed perks like these and a more laid back attitude are only worthwhile if they help the team win games.
He is 0-1 with his new club, but after only two and a half days of practice, he did contribute in the loss with two catches for 26 yards, both on third down.
Head coach Butch Davis commended Bryant following the game for making only one mental mistake in 22 plays despite the short time to prepare.
"The more time you put into it, the better results you're going to get," Bryant said. "I'm going to put a lot of effort into getting better and knowing the playbook so my results are better.
"We're trying to get to the playoffs and be successful. There are nine more games left, which is a lot of football, so that's what we're trying to do."
