ESPN MacMahon: Crayton won't 'complain about things I can't control'

[WoodysGirl]

By Tim MacMahon

IRVING, Texas -- Patrick Crayton arrived at Valley Ranch with his head held high and no regrets about his absence during the first three weeks of organized team activities.

Crayton, however, didn't feel the need to fight any more public battles with Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones.

Crayton said what he wanted to say about his situation on ESPN 103.3's Ben and Skin Show 10 days ago. He stands by those words and wants to move on.

He said on the radio show that he felt like he was being used as "insurance" and would not be given a fair chance to compete for a significant role.

Has he changed his mind on those matters?

"This is my thing right now: I’m not going to sit here and complain about things I can’t control," said Crayton, who worked with the second team in three-receiver sets despite Dez Bryant sitting out with a sore hamstring.

"If I go out there and give it my all and bust my tail and do what I’m capable of doing, I’ll be here. If that’s not the case when it comes down to it and the numbers get crunched and I’m not here, I don’t know what to tell you. But you’re going to get my all every day."

Crayton had always intended to participate in this weekend's mandatory minicamp. He said he decided to report for voluntary OTAs this week because he wanted to get a few days of work with his teammates before the minicamp.

He didn't rescind his request to be release, a wish Jerry Jones has no intention of granting right away anyway. Crayton said he can't be concerned about his roster status at the moment.

"Right now, I’m not worried about being released," Crayton said. "My goal right now is to stay here for minicamp, OTAs and get better, get back in here with my teammates, get back in my sanctuary."

However, Crayton does hope that Jerry will grant his wish to discuss the situation face to face.

The only conversation the owner and veteran receiver have had this offseason occurred just before Tuesday's workout. Jerry asked Crayton, who had been working out at Michael Johnson's facility in McKinney, if he felt like he was in good shape. Crayton assured him he wouldn't brave this heat if he wasn't.

"If you’re an employee of an employer, you’ve earned every right to be able talk to him," Crayton said. "Even the president’s people talk to him. So I mean, you’ve always earned the right to talk to your employer.

"We’ll see. If it comes, it comes."

That, like his job security, is a matter that Crayton can't control.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Romo Excited To Get Crayton Back

Posted by nickeatman at 6/7/2010 10:05 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

Focused on trying to get himself in the U.S. Open, Tony Romo wasn’t exactly up to speed on who will be attending Tuesday’s OTA practices.

But he sounded rather enthusiastic when learning that Patrick Crayton is at least expected to end his two-month absence at Valley Ranch and attend the workouts.

“I didn’t know he was returning, Good,” Romo said. “We need all the guys there. It’ll make us deeper at that position.”

Romo said he expects to chat with Crayton about a lot of issues, but didn’t sound too worried about the receiver being a distraction to the current makeup of the team.

“I’ll talk to Patrick, no question. But Patrick has been around a long time,” Romo said. “He knows the game. He knows the business side of things. He knows the competitive side of things. He knows he has to come in and perform and do good things. That’s how these guys are going to win a position. It’s all part of going out there, and Patrick knows that. He’s a competitor. It’ll be good to have him out there.”

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

The only conversation the owner and veteran receiver have had this offseason occurred just before Tuesday's workout. Jerry asked Crayton, who had been working out at Michael Johnson's facility in McKinney, if he felt like he was in good shape. Crayton assured him he wouldn't brave this heat if he wasn't.

Wow! Talk about Jerry Jones having ALL the leverage and controlling the conversation as a result.

As for Crayton, he has a wife and kids and the good sense to know that he has a responsibility to them first -- meaning he's doig the right thing by coming back to OTAs, working his butt off and doing all he can to earn the right to keep his job.

 

[pgreptom]

Better attitude, but it sounds like he was trying to be snarky and apply once again that he knows they're going to cut him and there's nothing he can do about it.

 

[superpunk]

Wow! Talk about Jerry Jones having ALL the leverage and controlling the conversation as a result.

As for Crayton, he has a wife and kids and the good sense to know that he has a responsibility to them first -- meaning he's doig the right thing by coming back to OTAs, working his butt off and doing all he can to earn the right to keep his job.

Yeah, I think the way we keep seeing contract situations shows how legit of an organization we are running here. People don't hold out, they either play and are confident that Jerry will do them right, or play because Jerry has mad hand.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

In the video, Crayton looks pretty intense. Refreshing to see him with the Cowboys again. He is trimmer, probably faster and is playing for his football life...Roy, O-Tree, Hurd better come ready to play. I think this guy is not going down without a fight and that will only make the team better.

 

[mldardy]

In the video, Crayton looks pretty intense. Refreshing to see him with the Cowboys again. He is trimmer, probably faster and is playing for his football life...Roy, O-Tree, Hurd better come ready to play. I think this guy is not going down without a fight and that will only make the team better.

Especially him. This guy better produce early or I have a feeling it will be a short leash this season. This team has the depth where he will be on the bench if he doesn't show something quickly.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Glad to hear Crayton is returning. I have been very critical of Crayton staying away because he is under contract and I believe that players should honor their contracts.

Besides, it is not like we are low balling Crayton, he is one of the highest paid "non starting" WRs in the league. I think his pay for 2010 is like over $2 million, so he cant say jack about his compensation.

I figured alot of Crayton's mouthing off was just for show. Seriously, even if we keep him strictly for insurance, $2 million is alot of money to just throw in the crapper. Even if Crayton ends up being #4 or #5 on the depth chart, he isnt going to turn down #2 million large.

Hell, for $2 million I will guard the water bucket like nobody's business!!!

 

[Stautner]

Glad to hear Crayton is returning. I have been very critical of Crayton staying away because he is under contract and I believe that players should honor their contracts.

Besides, it is not like we are low balling Crayton, he is one of the highest paid "non starting" WRs in the league. I think his pay for 2010 is like over $2 million, so he cant say jack about his compensation.

I figured alot of Crayton's mouthing off was just for show. Seriously, even if we keep him strictly for insurance, $2 million is alot of money to just throw in the crapper. Even if Crayton ends up being #4 or #5 on the depth chart, he isnt going to turn down #2 million large.

Hell, for $2 million I will guard the water bucket like nobody's business!!!

I'm not defending Crayton sitting out, but I'm sure he is looking longer term than this year. Let's say he sits on the bench all year and earns his $2 million, then becomes a free agent. What kind of earning power will he have then? What is the next team going to pay for a receiver that caught 10 passes the year before? What I imagine he wants is for the Cowboys to trade him or release him and then try to negotiate a longer term deal with another team.

 

[Alexander]

Glad to hear Crayton is returning. I have been very critical of Crayton staying away because he is under contract and I believe that players should honor their contracts.

There is not a thing in his contract that stated he had to attend voluntary OTA sessions though. So really your criticism really was not all that fair if you were using your belief system to validate it.

 

[Doomsday101]

There is not a thing in his contract that stated he had to attend voluntary OTA sessions though. So really your criticism really was not all that fair if you were using your belief system to validate it.

True nothing in his contract or any players contract about attending the voluntary OTA. Crayton, Hurd and Austin given their situations did not have to attend, 2 of them did and one didn't.

 

[tomson75]

True nothing in his contract or any players contract about attending the voluntary OTA. Crayton, Hurd and Austin given their situations did not have to attend, 2 of them did and one didn't.

If you can't see the differences is those three player's situations....well, that's you're problem.

 

[Doomsday101]

If you can't see the differences is those three player's situations....well, that's you're problem.

Hurd situation is worse than any of them yet was at OTA, Miles is hoping for a long term deal if he gets hurt during this time how does that help him get the deal he wants?
If you can't see that then that is your problem.

Crayton by league rules does not need to be there that is fact and was agreed to by the players union and owners, however missing team actives be it voluntary or mandatory is not going to benefit you.

 

[tomson75]

Hurd situation is worse than any of them yet was at OTA, Miles is hoping for a long term deal if he gets hurt during this time how does that help him get the deal he wants?
If you can't see that then that is your problem.

Crayton by league rules does not need to be there that is fact and was agreed to by the players union and owners, however missing team actives be it voluntary or mandatory is not going to benefit you.

Again, you're missing obvious differences in these player's situations. The far greater majority of NFL players in Crayton's shoes would be doing the exact same thing. Many wouldn't even be here for mandatory stuff.

The incessant *****ing about him missing OTA's is purely uninformed, adolescent BS.

 

[Doomsday101]

Again, you're missing obvious differences in these player's situations. The far greater majority of NFL players in Crayton's shoes would be doing the exact same thing. Many wouldn't even be here for mandatory stuff.

The incessant *****ing about him missing OTA's is purely uninformed, adolescent BS.

It is his choice others have the same choice and some choose to attend. Hell Hurd situation is a lot worse than Crayton but he is there. Hurd just as Crayton knows the likelihood of remaining on the team is in doubt and just like Crayton was granted the opportunity to seek a trade. Crayton sitting out is not doing 1 single thing that is going to benefit him. He is upset and pouting about it again his choice.

Also as I mentioned Miles has not even signed a tendered offer and has allot at stake yet he is there getting in the work, if he goes out blows out knee or tears and Achilles that could adversely affect his negotiating power with the club. You want to defend Crayton that is your business

 

[Stautner]

It is his choice others have the same choice and some choose to attend. Hell Hurd situation is a lot worse than Crayton but he is there. Hurd just as Crayton knows the likelihood of remaining on the team is in doubt and just like Crayton was granted the opportunity to seek a trade. Crayton sitting out is not doing 1 single thing that is going to benefit him. He is upset and pouting about it again his choice.

Also as I mentioned Miles has not even signed a tendered offer and has allot at stake yet he is there getting in the work, if he goes out blows out knee or tears and Achilles that could adversely affect his negotiating power with the club. You want to defend Crayton that is your business

The difference with Hurd is that merely making the team isn't a demotion for him. He's been at or near the bottom of the depth chart almost his entire career. If he has to go catch on with another team it will be the same. Crayton is looking at the possibility of dropping from a No. 3 WR to a No. 4 or 5, and while he will still get paid this year, that can dramatically affect his future earnings.

Once again, I'm not trying to defend Crayton for sitting out, but what I am saying is that it's not really fair to compare his situation with Hurd's, and it's also not accurate to depict this as a purely football related situation. Crayton's motivation is not only playing time, but earning potential. As soon as he gets relegated to being a seldom used No. 4 or 5 guy his earning potential drops like a rock.

 

[Doomsday101]

The difference with Hurd is that merely making the team isn't a demotion for him. He's been at or near the bottom of the depth chart almost his entire career. If he has to go catch on with another team it will be the same. Crayton is looking at the possibility of dropping from a No. 3 WR to a No. 4 or 5, and while he will still get paid this year, that can dramatically affect his future earnings.

Once again, I'm not trying to defend Crayton for sitting out, but what I am saying is that it's not really fair to compare his situation with Hurd's, and it's also not accurate to depict this as a purely football related situation. Crayton's motivation is not only playing time, but earning potential. As soon as he gets relegated to being a seldom used No. 4 or 5 guy his earning potential drops like a rock.

Sitting out does not help the cause. He gained nothing from it. No doubt it is his choice and there are others around the league who will make the same choice does not mean it is the right thing to do.

If I'm worried about slipping down the roster best thing you can do is show the coaches why that is a mistake.

As far as I'm concerned I see no difference of mandatory or voluntary other than the fact players can't be fined for not showing up for a voluntary, the workouts are to help players get ready for the upcoming season be it on the team they are currently with or another team they may end up on. It may be an old school view but I think these workouts serve a purpose or the coaches would not bother having them.

 

[Stautner]

Sitting out does not help the cause. He gained nothing from it. No doubt it is his choice and there are others around the league who will make the same choice does not mean it is the right thing to do.

If I'm worried about slipping down the roster best thing you can do is show the coaches why that is a mistake.

As far as I'm concerned I see no difference of mandatory or voluntary other than the fact players can't be fined for not showing up for a voluntary, the workouts are to help players get ready for the upcoming season be it on the team they are currently with or another team they may end up on. It may be an old school view but I think these workouts serve a purpose or the coaches would not bother having them.

Like I said, I'm not defending Crayton. I don't at all disagree that he needed to be there proving why he needs to hold onto his spot.

My point was only that he is in a different situation than Hurd, and while it is true that he didn't end up gaining anything, he didn't know that at the time. He didn't have the benefit of hindsight that he has now. He thought that by making a statement (not coming to the OTA) he might force the team to make a move or a commitment, either of which would be better for his financial future than finding out at the end of training camp that he would be cut or be a seldom used bench player.

 

[tomson75]

It is his choice others have the same choice and some choose to attend. Hell Hurd situation is a lot worse than Crayton but he is there. Hurd just as Crayton knows the likelihood of remaining on the team is in doubt and just like Crayton was granted the opportunity to seek a trade. Crayton sitting out is not doing 1 single thing that is going to benefit him. He is upset and pouting about it again his choice.

Also as I mentioned Miles has not even signed a tendered offer and has allot at stake yet he is there getting in the work, if he goes out blows out knee or tears and Achilles that could adversely affect his negotiating power with the club. You want to defend Crayton that is your business

Wrong, again.

The simple fact is, that sitting out when a veteran is in the position that Crayton is in is a standard practice in today's NFL. It's a business decision. one of the things you're failing to realize is that he is trying to retain any leverage he can, with the Cowboys AND with other teams. If he is released by the Cowboys or is traded or what have you, how much leverage would he have if he had torn a muscle or ligament in OTA's? Not much. Mile's situation is different. He's essentially our #1 receiver, had a monster season last year, is younger, and an injury will do far less damage to his negotiating leverage than Crayton. Crayton gets hurt, and he loses his last chance for a significant payday.

There are reasons veterans do these things, and as much as the uniformed, biased fans want to ***** about it and label it "pouting", the fact remains that they're making a business decision....and the only ones "pouting" are the fans with unrealistic expectations.

 

[Doomsday101]

Wrong, again.

The simple fact is, that sitting out when a veteran is in the position that Crayton is in is a standard practice in today's NFL. It's a business decision. one of the things you're failing to realize is that he is trying to retain any leverage he can, with the Cowboys AND with other teams. If he is released by the Cowboys or is traded or what have you, how much leverage would he have if he had torn a muscle or ligament in OTA's? Not much. Mile's situation is different. He's essentially our #1 receiver, had a monster season last year, is younger, and an injury will do far less damage to his negotiating leverage than Crayton. Crayton gets hurt, and he loses his last chance for a significant payday.

There are reasons veterans do these things, and as much as the uniformed, biased fans want to ***** about it and label it "pouting", the fact remains that they're making a business decision....and the only ones "pouting" are the fans with unrealistic expectations.

Miles is #1 in name only he has no contract and is out there his risk could be very great but it is the work he has put in that has put him in the position he is in today. Look you may think it is a good thing I don't sorry I think players need to be out there after a few months away from the game. You are right some do choose not to attend others do attend.