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Dez Bryant Playing Dangerous Game With Dallas Cowboys

By Erik Lambert

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Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The reasoning behind his actions are clear enough to see.  Wide receiver Dez Bryant has played like one of the best in the NFL the past two years and expects to be paid like it.  That is not in question at this point.  What must be questioned is how he’s going about his efforts to secure a new contract.

Holding out is nothing new in pro football.  Many players do it during minicamps or OTAs all the time.  However, Bryant seems intent to take it a step further.  He is willing to not only sit out training camp but even actual football games this season.  The idea of course is that the Cowboys offense won’t be able to function without him on the field and will look lost.  It’s a fair idea and one that could hold a lot of water.

At the same time, it’s a huge gamble.  The reason being the possibility exists that the team is able to function without him.  There are several examples of such holdouts with different results.  In 1993, running back Emmitt Smith wanted a new contract from the Cowboys and sat out the first two games of the regular season.  The team went 0-2 in that stretch, forcing Jerry Jones to make the deal.

In 1985, following his historic 2,105-yard season running back Eric Dickerson held out from the Los Angeles Rams for 47 days.  Like Smith he missed the first two games, but even without him the Rams were able to win both of them.  Dickerson was forced to return and ended up not getting the contract he asked for.

This is where Dez Bryant stands.  If he’s really going to ride it out, he’s going to have to hope the Dallas Cowboys aren’t able to adjust to life without him because if they’re able to win games in his absence it could end up pulling millions of dollars out of his pockets.  Jerry Jones seems confident it won’t get that far.

"“I have no doubt that when we play, if we’re still in a franchise situation, I have no doubt that he’ll be leading the way (Week 1) against the Giants.  We just know how competitive Dez is and how much he wants to beat the Giants and how much he wants to support his teammates.”"

Fans pray he’s right, and Bryant better pray that Tony Romo doesn’t find a new favorite target while he’s gone.

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