Rolando McClain is the polar opposite of Dez Bryant.
Ro is a bright guy and a freakishly good athlete by utter default. He can make an impact on Sunday almost by sheer accident. He has an intuitive grasp of the game, and he can flip a switch by choice and play well on Sunday almost on queue. He's the kid in school with the photographic memory and good looks.
Not Dez. He struggles with the nuances of football. He needs constant direction and guidance regarding the X's and O's and much of life in general. He's simply not as self-aware and self-confident in things most folks take for granted as basic, common knowledge. He's the kid that brings teachers to their last nerve trying to push through the system.
So how is it that Dez became the soul of this football team?
Ro doesn't love football. It's merely a temporary and necessary evil. He doesn't cherish the locker room, or bother with building relationships with teammates and coaches. He doesn't take pride in being an NFL player, and he doesn't consider it any great privilege. He feels no responsibility or obligation to be any more than a Sunday player for a paycheck.
Dez would willingly practice or play a game 365 days a year. He is the constant you never question come game time, and ironically, his infectious passion brings consistency and calmness to this team that his cerebral side can't. How special is that?
Dez is showboat to the world, yet a humble servant to his team. He truly listens and relies on Romo, he appreciates Garrett's fatherly guidance, and Jerry's genuine tough love. (That's why these negotiations confuse and hurt him so much. This is his closest family.)
I often wish the Ro's were like Dez, and the Dez's were like Ro. Both are puzzles wrapped in enigmas hidden in riddles. Frustratingly mesmerizing players.
But give me the Dez's all day. Not because he's great, but because he cares. About winning, about the game, about his team, and even about us. I've been truly won over by the guy after not being so much on his side early on.
Likewise, I think it's time to send Ro packing. Or, I guess just tell him to not bother packing, as it were.
Don't need his fuss, his bad moods, or his condescending arrogance toward the opportunities afforded him and the people that want to embrace him. He doesn't care, and I don't care about people who don't care.
Mike Fisher said something that is gnawing at me, and I trust his inside knowledge even if I don't share many of his views. He said that the coaches didn't really want McClain back, but the front office went ahead and signed him anyway to the veteran minimum. The coaches didn't want him back? If you just go by his performances, why would a coach possibly not want that guy back? Coaches are pros at dealing with all sorts of personalities. You'd think a talent like that would earn extra consideration and patience. But it didn't.
From Tuesday to Saturday, Fish added, McClain is completely checked out. Not interested in the work week leading up to Sunday. Offseasons are much the same. That tells me that once that youthful body starts to leave him, he'll be done in a flash. He won't do anything about it. He won't care.
Somewhere in Alabama, Ro is rehabbing a knee. I suspect his offseason football thought could be condensed within the time frame of a Sponge Bob episode. He's not doing a damn football thing. We all know he's dreading training camp and wants no part of it, and his sour attitude will be hanging over camp like soggy cereal.
Meanwhile, Dez is in sheer panic that a deal won't get done and he'll have to miss camp to make a statement. I don't think he can do it, and neither does he. Miss football practice? On purpose? Are you $%^#$%^ kidding me? Dez is flat freaking out right now over that nightmare scenario.
I really hope Dez eases off his demands enough and gets his deal by July 15th. We all want to celebrate with him. We all want to be happy for him. We all know that he wants to play his ever-loving tail off for all of us. We hurt with him, as do the Joneses, I imagine. Please make the business stuff hurry and go away. Make him understand, so we can get this done and ease his suffering.
It's like watching your kid get a booster shot while they're looking at you with tears in their eyes. You want to punch the nurse in the face even though she's doing the right thing.
As for Ro? I really don't care anymore. Just go away and leave us alone.
