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Big Catch: Bryant Impressing Browns
By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 3 minutes ago
Antonio Bryant arrived last season with the reputation of being an underachieving, jersey-throwing bad boy.
Since joining the Cleveland Browns, however, the wide receiver has been a regular Mr. Goody Two Cleats. But being a nice guy, solid teammate and decent player aren't titles the four-year veteran is after.
Bryant's goal is greatness.
"When people leave the stadium, I want them saying, 'That's the best receiver I saw today,'" Bryant said.
He easily has been the Browns' best player during training camp, finally showing signs of tapping into the potential and stardom forecast for him when he came out of Pittsburgh in 2002 after winning the Biletnikoff Award as college football's top wide receiver — as a sophomore.
During workouts, the 24-year-old, who can become a free agent after this season, stands out among the club's cadre of wideouts because of his blazing speed and the crispness of his pass patterns.
"I've never seen a guy run routes like he does," rookie quarterback Charlie Frye said. "He cuts on a dime."
On Saturday, Bryant caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Trent Dilfer and had three receptions for 78 yards as the Browns improved to 2-0 in the exhibition season with a 21-13 win at Detroit.
Bryant missed a few days of practice last week to attend a family funeral, but returned focused.
"He's had a great camp," Dilfer said. "He's really developing into a fine player. I want to try and give him the ball every chance that I get. He made a very average pass look good — he attacked the football in the air. When you have guys that will do that for you, and I have not had many of those in my career, it makes you willing to make more aggressive decisions in plays.
"I would like to see a lot more of that from him."
Last October, the Browns acquired Bryant in a straight-up deal with the Dallas Cowboys for wideout Quincy Morgan.
Bryant's exit from Big D was greased when he got into an argument with Cowboys coach Bill Parcells during a minicamp. Bryant, upset that he was behind Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn — players Parcells coached in New York — first exchanged words with the coach before tossing his sweaty uniform at him.
Bryant had to be removed by security from the practice and didn't rejoin the team until training camp.
He isn't dwelling on what happened, but Bryant said it has taught him some valuable lessons.
"It's a learning process. Either you're going to get stronger or it's going to weaken you. I think I'm going to get stronger," he said. "I learn from things. It didn't kill me. I'm still breathing."
In seven starts for Cleveland, Bryant had 42 receptions for 546 yards and four TDs. Adding in his numbers in Dallas, Bryant finished with 58 catches for 812 yards, an average of 14 yards per grab.
Bryant's first two seasons in Dallas were solid, but not spectacular. In his mind, he can do so much more and is just beginning to blossom.
"When I first came in the league, I saw a tree," he said. "Now, I can see the apples on the tree. Some guys get it earlier. I'm just starting to understand things a little better. As I catch up, it's moving faster. You mature.
"When I first got in the game, I was doing a lot of things off anxiety. When you learn how to bring your emotions under control, then you can distribute that energy where you need it best."
As for the run-in with Parcells, Browns coach Romeo Crennel spoke with Cleveland offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, who was with Dallas, to find out more about Bryant's character. "I asked Maurice what happened and he told me. That was it," Crennel said. "I really wasn't worried that Antonio and I would have a confrontation. If he did, well, I'm the head coach."
By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 3 minutes ago
Antonio Bryant arrived last season with the reputation of being an underachieving, jersey-throwing bad boy.
Since joining the Cleveland Browns, however, the wide receiver has been a regular Mr. Goody Two Cleats. But being a nice guy, solid teammate and decent player aren't titles the four-year veteran is after.
Bryant's goal is greatness.
"When people leave the stadium, I want them saying, 'That's the best receiver I saw today,'" Bryant said.
He easily has been the Browns' best player during training camp, finally showing signs of tapping into the potential and stardom forecast for him when he came out of Pittsburgh in 2002 after winning the Biletnikoff Award as college football's top wide receiver — as a sophomore.
During workouts, the 24-year-old, who can become a free agent after this season, stands out among the club's cadre of wideouts because of his blazing speed and the crispness of his pass patterns.
"I've never seen a guy run routes like he does," rookie quarterback Charlie Frye said. "He cuts on a dime."
On Saturday, Bryant caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Trent Dilfer and had three receptions for 78 yards as the Browns improved to 2-0 in the exhibition season with a 21-13 win at Detroit.
Bryant missed a few days of practice last week to attend a family funeral, but returned focused.
"He's had a great camp," Dilfer said. "He's really developing into a fine player. I want to try and give him the ball every chance that I get. He made a very average pass look good — he attacked the football in the air. When you have guys that will do that for you, and I have not had many of those in my career, it makes you willing to make more aggressive decisions in plays.
"I would like to see a lot more of that from him."
Last October, the Browns acquired Bryant in a straight-up deal with the Dallas Cowboys for wideout Quincy Morgan.
Bryant's exit from Big D was greased when he got into an argument with Cowboys coach Bill Parcells during a minicamp. Bryant, upset that he was behind Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn — players Parcells coached in New York — first exchanged words with the coach before tossing his sweaty uniform at him.
Bryant had to be removed by security from the practice and didn't rejoin the team until training camp.
He isn't dwelling on what happened, but Bryant said it has taught him some valuable lessons.
"It's a learning process. Either you're going to get stronger or it's going to weaken you. I think I'm going to get stronger," he said. "I learn from things. It didn't kill me. I'm still breathing."
In seven starts for Cleveland, Bryant had 42 receptions for 546 yards and four TDs. Adding in his numbers in Dallas, Bryant finished with 58 catches for 812 yards, an average of 14 yards per grab.
Bryant's first two seasons in Dallas were solid, but not spectacular. In his mind, he can do so much more and is just beginning to blossom.
"When I first came in the league, I saw a tree," he said. "Now, I can see the apples on the tree. Some guys get it earlier. I'm just starting to understand things a little better. As I catch up, it's moving faster. You mature.
"When I first got in the game, I was doing a lot of things off anxiety. When you learn how to bring your emotions under control, then you can distribute that energy where you need it best."
As for the run-in with Parcells, Browns coach Romeo Crennel spoke with Cleveland offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, who was with Dallas, to find out more about Bryant's character. "I asked Maurice what happened and he told me. That was it," Crennel said. "I really wasn't worried that Antonio and I would have a confrontation. If he did, well, I'm the head coach."
:laugh2: :laugh1: 
