Audio: Dez Bryant interview on Ben and Skin show

[Zordon]

I think you're onto something. The fact that Dez does nothing but shower praise on the guy is the first sign of a serious issue between those two in the locker room. Good job spotting it before the rest of us ever saw it coming. I mean, I've heard Dez say on many occasions how much he appreciates Tony's patience and help getting up to speed with the offense, but I've never specifically heard him say Tony is not aloof. This dinner at Tony's is probably the wedge that's going to split the thing wide open.

Can you post where I said there was a wedge or serious issues between Dez and Romo? I'll wait...

 

[Zordon]

What thread are you reading? And, after that's explained, how does that quote in any way suggest Zordon's correct that Tony Romo is aloof and it's a problem with his leadership in the locker room?

I don't understand why some of you feel it necessary to defend Romo on every single critical point made about him. He is not your lady, you don't have to defend his honor unconditionally. It is possible to be critical of him and still be a fan. You have followed this team close enough to know that the Romo=aloof stuff has been out there for a long time via multiple media sources. You can discount each and every one of them on the grounds that they are the mythical big bad DFW media that hates the cowboys but you're just burying your head in the sand. Romo is a nice guy, a hard worker, very class person. But he also seems to be a loner that tends to stick to his small clique on the team. I don't think that's good for team chemistry. I've said for awhile that I think the chemistry on this team could be a lot better. I'm glad Garrett is stepping in and trying to improve it. He was on those 90s teams, so he saw first hand what a close knit team looks like.

 

[bayeslife]

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I accepted a long time ago I won't ever like Romo's leadership style. I do believe the aloof rumors. I've heard it numerous times from the press that follows the team every day (particularly during the T.O. years). Dez is a guy who has done nothing but shower praise on Romo. To the point where it looks like he's yearning for his attention. Romo should reciprocate. I've heard of QB's inviting draft picks to their house immediately after the draft. Romo hasn't done it in 3 years with his prized receiver? That's a little weird to me.

Usually when people tell me I do a good job my first reaction isn't to invite them to dinner. Perhaps I've been too narrow minded.

 

[Idgit]

I don't understand why some of you feel it necessary to defend Romo on every single critical point made about him. He is not your lady, you don't have to defend his honor unconditionally. It is possible to be critical of him and still be a fan. You have followed this team close enough to know that the Romo=aloof stuff has been out there for a long time via multiple media sources. You can discount each and every one of them on the grounds that they are the mythical big bad DFW media that hates the cowboys but you're just burying your head in the sand. Romo is a nice guy, a hard worker, very class person. But he also seems to be a loner that tends to stick to his small clique on the team. I don't think that's good for team chemistry. I've said for awhile that I think the chemistry on this team could be a lot better. I'm glad Garrett is stepping in and trying to improve it. He was on those 90s teams, so he saw first hand what a close knit team looks like.

I don't defend him unconditionally. I do defend him when I think a particular criticism is unfair. Especially when I think it's ridiculous.

And I didn't discount the aloof argument. I know it's out there. I happen to think it was tied to the TO drama, so I don't give it much credence, but, as I said in my very first post to you on this topic, I know it exists, but I don't know enough to know if it's true or not. It's possible it's part of his personality that he's aloof. Listening to him in interviews, and hearing his teammates talk about him, I don't think he is. I think he's very serious about the game, and about competition in general, but I see his personality to be more like Sean Lee's than, say, Orlando Scandrick (another player who's rumored to be aloof away from the field).

But the aloof question isn't what I responded to. I responded to you mistaking his invitation to Dez as an example of aloofness when it is demonstrably, the opposite. It's an example of him inviting the guy into his home. Further, you specifically stated that you know that Romo's aloof and that it has caused problems for him already in the locker room. These are just things you simply don't know if they're true or not, yet they're your biggest issues with the player. In a way, maybe it's a good thing that the issue you have the biggest problem with with the guy very likely might not even exist.

As for the team chemistry in general, I don't think you could be further from the truth on that score. 2007 was the last season I remember seeing chemistry like we had last season, and it showed up late in the games. If anything, it seems to have improved this year if only because the defensive coaches and the head coaches might actually get along better than they did with Garrett and Ryan.

 

[Idgit]

Usually when people tell me I do a good job my first reaction isn't to invite them to dinner. Perhaps I've been too narrow minded.

Great post. You hungry, by any chance?

 

[Wheeltax]

I am.

 

[Nova]

Can't believe how some of you aren't picking up on the hugely positive aspect of this.

Anyone who has ever played football at any level, hell probably any sport, knows that there are different tiers of cliques within the team. Dez has just ascended to being in the tier with the leaders.

Those of you who haven't had a chance to play ball and be a part of a team, think of it like this... should a GM be buddy-buddy with camp bodies who are on the bubble? Absolutely not.

And for the same reason, leaders don't typically spend their time off the field making sure every player has a spot at their dinner table. That would inhibit him from doing his job correctly. A leader can't be concerned as to what other teammates think of him, or else he's likely not going to do his job correctly. Do you think Witten cared about how Brodney Poole felt when he got him jettison from the team last TC? And consequently, why would a teammate want to hang out with a leader after the leader has barked in his ear all day for not doing the right thing.


The only teammates that sympathize with leaders are, well... other leaders. There's a mutual understanding that you're both there to strive for excellence, and you can put all petty things aside. There's a bond. There's a mutual respect that you have to earn.

Dez has that now and is in good company.

 

[Zordon]

But the aloof question isn't what I responded to. I responded to you mistaking his invitation to Dez as an example of aloofness when it is demonstrably, the opposite. It's an example of him inviting the guy into his home. Further, you specifically stated that you know that Romo's aloof and that it has caused problems for him already in the locker room. These are just things you simply don't know if they're true or not, yet they're your biggest issues with the player. In a way, maybe it's a good thing that the issue you have the biggest problem with with the guy very likely might not even exist.

3 years and you don't invite the single biggest piece to you winning a Super Bowl to your house...that's just weird to me. Do you think Witten had to wait that long? I know I'm kinda sounding like a sour T.O. right now but my point is Romo seems to get very comfortable with a select few people on the team and then closes the circle. He's improving but it would have been nice to take reigns of Dez earlier considering how much he needed some guidance. Also, I'm a strong believer that off the field chemistry will improve on the field chemistry.

As for the team chemistry in general, I don't think you could be further from the truth on that score. 2007 was the last season I remember seeing chemistry like we had last season, and it showed up late in the games. If anything, it seems to have improved this year if only because the defensive coaches and the head coaches might actually get along better than they did with Garrett and Ryan.

Jerry Brown incident brought them together. But a really close team does not stand around like zombies when their leader on the defense gets blindsided and taunted.

This is the type of reaction you expect from a close knit team:

 

[Cowboys=SuperBowl]

I am lost for words...no one here knows these people's relationships on a day to day basis, but them. I find very disturbing that someone is questioning our team' s chemistry over a dinner comment in a interview. Seriously??!

 

[The Natural]

Jerry Brown incident brought them together. But a really close team does not stand around like zombies when their leader on the defense gets blindsided and taunted.

That play, or maybe I should say the lack of a response from our team still absolutely disgusts me. I don't care what any of you choir boy posters say you gotta be willing to take a fine or sit down a week for coming to the aid of your teammate

 

[SDCowboy]

why is Romo just now inviting Dez to his house?

this is one of my biggest problems with Romo and something that caused him issues in the past in the locker room.

he is really aloof about getting to know his teammates off the field.

if Romo is ever going to win a super bowl, dez is going to be a big part of it. so weird that he would just now invite him 3 years into dez's career.

lol are you being serious with this? Wow...

 

[Zordon]

@Idgit @WoodysGirl Listen to Dez's answer here at the :45 second mark. He gets it.

 

[Idgit]

@Idgit @WoodysGirl Listen to Dez's answer here at the :45 second mark. He gets it.

Zordon, I don't know what's so difficult about this point. *Nobody* says chemistry, respect, and being a close-knit team is not important. Dez doesn't, WG doesn't, I certainly don't, and I know you're not saying that. That's what this clip is saying, too.

That has zero to do with you contention that Tony doesn't do these things already. And--the point everybody reacted to--that somehow Tony now inviting Dez over to his house is actually a sign of the opposite of him building chemistry and the single biggest issue you somehow have with the guy in the first place.

Now, I know common practice on a message board when you go over the line is to backpedal to reduce your argument enough that it's diluted into a larger point that nobody's going to argue with. You're welcome to keep trying to do that here if you care to, I don't particularly want to belabor the point. Personally, I think it's better to say, 'you know, I might not have picked the best example here, but I do generally wonder if part of our issues on offense have historically been with Tony being aloof with certain players.' I'd say that I'd agree that that's possible, and then move on. Otherwise, I happen to think that in this case you're barking up the wrong tree for the wrong reason.

Either way, it's ok with me. We can probably at least agree that it's a good thing they're hanging out together now, right?

 

[DFWJC]

why is Romo just now inviting Dez to his house?

this is one of my biggest problems with Romo and something that caused him issues in the past in the locker room.

he is really aloof about getting to know his teammates off the field.

if Romo is ever going to win a super bowl, dez is going to be a big part of it. so weird that he would just now invite him 3 years into dez's career.

Good grief.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I agree this team has to learn to build relationships off the field as well...

 

[BAZ]

Do we think Austin or TO ever got the invite? Doubt it. Maybe its only now he truts the missus' cooking on team mates.

 

[percyhoward]

Can't believe how some of you aren't picking up on the hugely positive aspect of this.

I probably wouldn't have picked up on it, but you're right. There are nothing but positives in it.

 

[DuceizBak]

Maybe he was scared Dez would beat him up(semi-jk), especially since he had character concerns entering the league. Romo doesn't seem to have problems getting along with witten and other team mates. I honestly do believe Romo could've been a little "shy" about inviting the guy over, who wouldn't with a co-worker with character concerns. Wether you think that's a good reason or not is a different story.

hahahaha.

Great interview. He seems to have better speaking presence, more eloquence in his voice. Definitely liked it.

 

[Hoods]

Dez isn't just any co-worker. He is Romo's Michael Irvin. He's the best thing to happen to Romo in his career. Who cares if they have anything in common? Do you think they have anymore in common now then he did 3 years ago (FYI they both love to play basketball so there goes that point out the window). He's your teammate, a very important one, get to know him. Dez came into the league like a lost puppy dog. It would have been nice if Romo took him under his wing a little more. Was Dez interested in getting to know Romo? LOL WG you are better than this. I know you have read enough tweets and seen enough interviews to see what kind of person Dez is. He is very visible in Dallas and always down to hang out with teammates outside of work. In fact I remember specifically an interview he had on the NFL network where they asked him what do the Cowboys need to do to improve/get over the hump and he said they needed to develop better chemistry and get closer as teammates OFF the field. 3 years and he doesn't invite his troubled receiver to his house one freaking time for some dinner and talk. Wow....



He's improved but still unacceptable not to invite your #1 receiver to your house. I accepted a long time ago that Romo will never be the type of leader that I want him to be. It's not natural for him but what I won't accept is him still being closed off to his teammates 10 years into his career. Hey Romo, you're not an undrafted FA anymore.....you belong....take reign of the team on and off the field please.

Dude, what's wrong with you? Go outside and get some fresh air or something.

 

[Zordon]

Zordon, I don't know what's so difficult about this point. *Nobody* says chemistry, respect, and being a close-knit team is not important. Dez doesn't, WG doesn't, I certainly don't, and I know you're not saying that. That's what this clip is saying, too.

That has zero to do with you contention that Tony doesn't do these things already. And--the point everybody reacted to--that somehow Tony now inviting Dez over to his house is actually a sign of the opposite of him building chemistry and the single biggest issue you somehow have with the guy in the first place.

Now, I know common practice on a message board when you go over the line is to backpedal to reduce your argument enough that it's diluted into a larger point that nobody's going to argue with. You're welcome to keep trying to do that here if you care to, I don't particularly want to belabor the point. Personally, I think it's better to say, 'you know, I might not have picked the best example here, but I do generally wonder if part of our issues on offense have historically been with Tony being aloof with certain players.' I'd say that I'd agree that that's possible, and then move on. Otherwise, I happen to think that in this case you're barking up the wrong tree for the wrong reason.

Either way, it's ok with me. We can probably at least agree that it's a good thing they're hanging out together now, right?

Never said it was a bad thing he was inviting Dez over. My only thing is that he should have done it earlier. Sort of like how we're all happy that the team is finally practicing a more hurry up style of offense but you still have to ask, what took so long?

I posted the video b/c WG made an assertion that Dez might not have wanted to build a relationship with Romo which is why he hadn't invited him. I believe that''s false and the video proves it. Also being from Dallas and having family that works for the Cowboys and friends that work in the Galleria and bars/clubs, I know for a fact that Dez is very sociable with his teammates outside of work.

So in conclusion, I'm not backtracking from what I said. This is only going to help their on/off the field chemistry but I still believe its strange that Romo has not invited him before considering Dez's need for guidance when he came out of college and the simple fact that he's your ace receiver. I've always believed there is something to the aloof stuff concerning Romo and this is just more evidence of it. People have said the same thing about Kobe Bryant his entire career. It didn't make him less of a player but I do believe it hinders overall team chemistry.