Dez wont carry williams pads (1 Viewer)

[Fear & Loathing]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

No, that's not the important thing. That's what you read into it. Others read into it that he simply believes it's a stupid ritual and it will be long forgotten when he takes the league by storm as an impact player for the first-place Cowboys.

 

[39407]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Come on you can't be serious with this? Would you allow yourself to be "hazed" by the guy cleaning the toilets at your new job?

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Eveyone know that Bryant has a TO me-me attitude, just did not think we would see it emerge so early. Now you know why he was passed over and over in the draft.

They do?We'll see how teams that passed on him are feeling after the season. Probably the same way the teams that passed on Percy Harvin were feeling.

Bryant will be on 3-4 teams before his NFL career is over.

Like future HOFer Randy Moss?

And he will have as many SuperBowl Rings as Moss.

So not as many as Jerry Rice, who also played for three teams?

 

[VaTerp]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

I think those are BIG presumptions on your part. I don't read his actions that way at all.Like Jason Wood mentioned earlier, I think it would be interesting to hear how more former players feel about this. I know a handful and have sent out a couple of texts and facebook messages to get some feedback. We'll see if I get any responses.Im also curious to see what Michael Irvin, Deion, and some of the other former players who are close to the situation feel about it.

 

[fatness]

Reminds me of Chris Samuels

In training camp, Bruce Smith and Dana Stubblefield took it upon themselves to school the rook and make his life miserable on and off the field. He took the taunts and the hazing through mini-camps, but determined he wouldn't take it once the real practices started. It took just one practice for Samuels to fight back, taking Stubblefield on a wide rush and, when Stubblefield popped him in the forehead, Samuels cold-cocked him with a roundhouse right to the neck, just below the helmet. He knew as the cornerstone of the offensive line, he had to be a fighter and defend not only his turf but his peers'. He became one of the go-to guys on the team.

 

[Banger]

is this really going to be a six page thread?

 

[ImTheScientist]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

 

[39407]

The one guy who shouldnt be doing the hazing, is the overpaid bum he's brought in to replace. End of story

 

[jaybebo]

You either hate the Cowboys or you are a Cowboys fan...To EVERYONE else this is a big deal and blah blah blah...To Cowboys fans, this is not a major issue. I wouldn't carry Roy Williams friggin pads either. That guy is a bum and if he didnt suck, the Cowboys could have drafted a top named safety instead of using a pick on Bryant in the first place.

Now, if it had been Romo, Ware or Witten, I would give a crap about this...but Williams is riding the fence here and needs to carry everything he can...

 

[Todem]

WR is a diva position. Not a red flag for me at all.

Dez is a beast, will be a beast at the elite level. And this will be shuffled away promptly as a non story.

 

[WVU Alum]

Did Roy Williams get in trouble for being unable to carry Dez's jock?

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

This really is a non issue. Hazing is stupid and has no positive effect.

As an 18 year old private in the Marine Corps, I went through a whole heck of a lot of hazing my first year. It didn't build my camaraderie or character or anything. It simply made me anxious to repeat the cycle to the next group of people when it was my turn. As is the the case with most places where hazing occurs, there are some who are reasonable and others who take things way over the top because they have the power to. There is a reason that hazing has become basically banned in the Marines now, because it does nothing to help cohesion of a unit, it only serves to create resentment and anger.

 

[Jeremy]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

He was asked to carry pads. It's not like they were asking him to do something that was against his religion or something dangerous. It was just pads. I guess it does take courage, but is it smart? I think non-conformists can be good in society, but not on a football team. When you're a rookie and haven't accomplished anything in the pros (yet being paid like you have), you best shut up and do what you're told.

 

[ImTheScientist]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

He was asked to carry pads. It's not like they were asking him to do something that was against his religion or something dangerous. It was just pads. I guess it does take courage, but is it smart? I think non-conformists can be good in society, but not on a football team. When you're a rookie and haven't accomplished anything in the pros (yet being paid like you have), you best shut up and do what you're told.

Is Roy Williams his boss? Does Roy Williams pay his check or coordinate the offense? Roy Williams is his pier, his equal. He owes nothing to Roy Williams.

 

[comet909]

Greatest Thread Ever!

 

[Joe Bryant]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

I think it hinges on what exactly the "hazing" is. And what exactly it is that we're standing up against.I think some people would like to make this a Rosa Parks thing and Bryant is standing up against some grave injustice as she did. The reality is that carrying a set of pads or singing the fight song really isn't a big deal. It's a token bow to tradition and a quick acceptance of your position on the pecking order as a rookie for that moment. Nobody believes Bryant won't be a star soon. But for now, I think many see this small gesture as a super easy way to "pay the dues" and put yourself down for a moment to become part of the team.And again, I think it's no big deal he's bucked here. I fully suspect it'll be handled among the vets, that Bryant will concede enough and things will be fine. No problem for me with any of it.J

 

[VaTerp]

This really is a non issue. Hazing is stupid and has no positive effect.As an 18 year old private in the Marine Corps, I went through a whole heck of a lot of hazing my first year. It didn't build my camaraderie or character or anything. It simply made me anxious to repeat the cycle to the next group of people when it was my turn. As is the the case with most places where hazing occurs, there are some who are reasonable and others who take things way over the top because they have the power to. There is a reason that hazing has become basically banned in the Marines now, because it does nothing to help cohesion of a unit, it only serves to create resentment and anger.

Exactly.And to repeat a point I made earlier, to me this whole incident says more about Roy Williams than it does about Dez Bryant. Those who say that who was doing the hazing is of no consequence here arent dealing with reality. It is absolutely a factor here.I'm sure that Bryant will endure other hazing attempts such as having to sing at lunch or whatever else goes on. If he refuses to participate in that kind of stuff then it would be a red flag to me. But IMO this incident speaks more about Williams' insecurity than anything else. Given that Bryant is challenging him for a starting position and that Williams' roster spot may even be in question, why choose to target him for this?If I'm Roy Williams and I've largely been considered a dissappointment, my work ethic has been publically called into question in Dallas, and my potential replacement shows up early for work and by all indications is busting his butt, I'm trying to outwork him on the field, not pull some hazing routine just because I can.

 

[Christo]

Says a lot more about Roy than Dez. If he'd refused to carry Romo's or Witten's pads I might think differently.

 

[ImTheScientist]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

I think it hinges on what exactly the "hazing" is. And what exactly it is that we're standing up against.I think some people would like to make this a Rosa Parks thing and Bryant is standing up against some grave injustice as she did. The reality is that carrying a set of pads or singing the fight song really isn't a big deal. It's a token bow to tradition and a quick acceptance of your position on the pecking order as a rookie for that moment. Nobody believes Bryant won't be a star soon. But for now, I think many see this small gesture as a super easy way to "pay the dues" and put yourself down for a moment to become part of the team.And again, I think it's no big deal he's bucked here. I fully suspect it'll be handled among the vets, that Bryant will concede enough and things will be fine. No problem for me with any of it.J

Hazing is unacceptable no matter the degree of the Hazing taking place. You can be respectful to the "pecking order" with out being demeaned, it does nothing at all for the individual or the team. There is also nothing professional about hazing. Its immature and sophomoric as far as Im concerned. Obviously we disagree, and it probably boils down to how people feel about "tradition" and probably age. I would imagine the older you are the more inclined you are to side with "tradition" due to the way people were raised. Im 31 and tradition is rather meaningless to me. On the other hand my wife's mother views tradition as everything, and probably see's me as disrespectful at times due to my lack of respect/caring when it comes to tradition.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

I think it hinges on what exactly the "hazing" is. And what exactly it is that we're standing up against.I think some people would like to make this a Rosa Parks thing and Bryant is standing up against some grave injustice as she did. The reality is that carrying a set of pads or singing the fight song really isn't a big deal. It's a token bow to tradition and a quick acceptance of your position on the pecking order as a rookie for that moment. Nobody believes Bryant won't be a star soon. But for now, I think many see this small gesture as a super easy way to "pay the dues" and put yourself down for a moment to become part of the team.And again, I think it's no big deal he's bucked here. I fully suspect it'll be handled among the vets, that Bryant will concede enough and things will be fine. No problem for me with any of it.J

Hazing is unacceptable no matter the degree of the Hazing taking place. You can be respectful to the "pecking order" with out being demeaned, it does nothing at all for the individual or the team. There is also nothing professional about hazing. Its immature and sophomoric as far as Im concerned. Obviously we disagree, and it probably boils down to how people feel about "tradition" and probably age. I would imagine the older you are the more inclined you are to side with "tradition" due to the way people were raised. Im 31 and tradition is rather meaningless to me. On the other hand my wife's mother views tradition as everything, and probably see's me as disrespectful at times due to my lack of respect/caring when it comes to tradition.

Hi,In my opinion, it boils down to what you're calling "hazing". And more specifically, how negative it is.In my opinion, carrying a set of shoulder pads or singing before dinner is no big deal. I could be wrong, but I don't think age has anything to do with that.J

 

[Ghost Rider]

This is probably not as big a deal as some will make it out to be, but I am laughing at those dogging Williams and lauding Bryant, as if it should be the other way around. Remember, as disappointing as Williams has been, he has still done more than Dez Bryant, who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Remember that.

 

[Donnybrook]

This is probably not as big a deal as some will make it out to be, but I am laughing at those dogging Williams and lauding Bryant, as if it should be the other way around. Remember, as disappointing as Williams has been, he has still done more than Dez Bryant, who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Remember that.

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if Adrain Peterson carried Chester Taylors pads or Fitzgerald carried Boldins. Dez is just being dis-respectful to his teammate IMO.

 

[Team ROFLCOPTERS]

It's a time honored tradition but I don't see anything wrong with this. He was tactfull in his explanation.

 

[VaTerp]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

I think it hinges on what exactly the "hazing" is. And what exactly it is that we're standing up against.I think some people would like to make this a Rosa Parks thing and Bryant is standing up against some grave injustice as she did. The reality is that carrying a set of pads or singing the fight song really isn't a big deal. It's a token bow to tradition and a quick acceptance of your position on the pecking order as a rookie for that moment. Nobody believes Bryant won't be a star soon. But for now, I think many see this small gesture as a super easy way to "pay the dues" and put yourself down for a moment to become part of the team.

And again, I think it's no big deal he's bucked here. I fully suspect it'll be handled among the vets, that Bryant will concede enough and things will be fine. No problem for me with any of it.

J

Hazing is unacceptable no matter the degree of the Hazing taking place. You can be respectful to the "pecking order" with out being demeaned, it does nothing at all for the individual or the team. There is also nothing professional about hazing. Its immature and sophomoric as far as Im concerned. Obviously we disagree, and it probably boils down to how people feel about "tradition" and probably age. I would imagine the older you are the more inclined you are to side with "tradition" due to the way people were raised. Im 31 and tradition is rather meaningless to me. On the other hand my wife's mother views tradition as everything, and probably see's me as disrespectful at times due to my lack of respect/caring when it comes to tradition.

Hi,In my opinion, it boils down to what you're calling "hazing". And more specifically, how negative it is.

In my opinion, carrying a set of shoulder pads or singing before dinner is no big deal. I could be wrong, but I don't think age has anything to do with that.

J

Just curious, do you think WHO was asking him to carry the pads factors in to this? IMO, for the reasons I've stated previously, it does significantly.Singing before dinner to me is entirely different because that is in front of the entire team and is a group activity. If Bryant refuses to do that sort of thing then I would have a problem with it. Williams singling out Bryant to carry his pads, given the context of the situation, is much different to me. And I think his comment to the media about just being there to play football and not do the other stuff was more the PC thing to say and not necessarily an indicator that he would not particiapte in ANY rookie hazing.

Rightly or wrongly, Bryant very well could have taken it as this guy sees me out here busting my butt and doing everything to put myself in position to succeed and he wants to take me down a notch and play some mind games with me by having me carry his pads. To which Bryant responded "Hell no, I'm here to take your job not be your flunky." And I respect him more for taking that stance rather than just playing along.

 

[B-Deep]

I doubt this is a big deal, and the hazing is stupid. But as a cowboys fan part of me wishes he'd just shut up and carried the pads. The fact that it was Roy Williams, who I think very little of, concerns me. Is Roy going to try and make this a large issue going forward.

 

[jaybebo]

This is probably not as big a deal as some will make it out to be, but I am laughing at those dogging Williams and lauding Bryant, as if it should be the other way around. Remember, as disappointing as Williams has been, he has still done more than Dez Bryant, who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Remember that.

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if Adrain Peterson carried Chester Taylors pads or Fitzgerald carried Boldins. Dez is just being dis-respectful to his teammate IMO.

Terrible...just terrible examples...Taylor and Boldin both proved they could do the job without ADP or Fitz...Williams could not even hold off an undrafted free agent...

 

[PatsFanCT]

I love all the comments here about how hazing is antiquated and wrong and good for Dez to stand up to it. Maybe the NFL still does it because they actually like it and believe it builds team chemistry. Some of you make it sound like a prison chain gang, being forced to break rocks in the desert.

If the rest of his team thinks it builds chemistry, then by not doing it doesn't build chemistry with his team. How many players do you know of who succeed without team chemistry?

It might not be a big deal, but the only opinions that matter are the rest of the Dallas Cowboys. Not ours, and certainly not the medias. If they don't think it's a big deal, then it's not. And likewise, if they do think it's a big deal, then it most certainly will be.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

having the new players think they have entitlement doesn't help with team chemisty.

This isn't about entitlement. Only someone who has participated as the "hazer" would frame it in those terms. It's about someone who is standing up against a tradition/ritual he believes is wrong. Do you always "just go along" in the face of others attempting to get you to do something you don't believe is right ... or even useful?

Really? It's carrying shoulder pads. I'd hardly call that hazing.I used to work on a team of about eight people. We rotated who brought bagels/donuts to the weekly meetings. When a new guy joined the team, he or she joined the rotation. No one with any common sense is going "stand up against that tradition". At least no one that cares about fitting in with their new team.Choose your battles.

 

[JamesTheScot]

Good for him. It's an antiquated ritual anyway. I'm glad that he's showing fire and a capacity to stick up for himself in the face of a lame tradition, one usually involving at least one overzealous fringe veteran taking out his own frustrations on the new guys.

Lame tradition or not, it is a tradition and not worth causing issues on a team over something as small as that.

I see this as a warning sign.Yes, it's a stupid tradition. Yes, I wouldn't like it either if I were in Bryant's place.If Bryant said he wasn't going to do it because it's a stupid tradition for rookies to carry vets' pads generally, I'd have less concern. But it smacks a bit more of "I'm Dez Bryant and I'm too good to carry anyone's pads". I'm guessing he doesn't care if some other rookie has to carry a vet's pads, he just doesn't think he should have to.But we already knew he was this type of guy, right? He makes poor choices in his life and then thinks he's being slighted when some teams pass on him in the draft because of those poor choices. Classic immaturity. It's all about him. He should be able to screw up and not have you hold it against him. If you do hold it against him, you are at fault, not him.He could still be a geat NFL receiver, though.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Just curious, do you think WHO was asking him to carry the pads factors in to this? IMO, for the reasons I've stated previously, it does significantly.Singing before dinner to me is entirely different because that is in front of the entire team and is a group activity. If Bryant refuses to do that sort of thing then I would have a problem with it. Williams singling out Bryant to carry his pads, given the context of the situation, is much different to me. And I think his comment to the media about just being there to play football and not do the other stuff was more the PC thing to say and not necessarily an indicator that he would not particiapte in ANY rookie hazing.Rightly or wrongly, Bryant very well could have taken it as this guy sees me out here busting my butt and doing everything to put myself in position to succeed and he wants to take me down a notch and play some mind games with me by having me carry his pads. To which Bryant responded "Hell no, I'm here to take your job not be your flunky." And I respect him more for taking that stance rather than just playing along.

Hi VaTerp,I can see how it's different than the singing as it becomes a person vs person thing. But from what I understand, it's not that big a deal for Williams. There is some position unity and I'd think it would be pretty normal for a rookie to carry the pads of a vet that plays his position. I guess he could have carried another WRs pads but it doesn't seem out of line that it would be Williams. I'd expect that Martellus Bennett carried Witten's pads a couple of years ago. I wouldn't take that as Witten rubbing it in Bennett's face. I'd see it as more that's just how it works.But yes, I can see how it's different than the singing before dinner thing in that regard.And again, I don't think it's a big deal from any angle. Although it clearly is something that we want to talk about...J

 

[39407]

I used to work on a team of about eight people. We rotated who brought bagels/donuts to the weekly meetings. When a new guy joined the team, he or she joined the rotation. No one with any common sense is going "stand up against that tradition". At least no one that cares about fitting in with their new team.Choose your battles.

"I'm going to pass on that club, sorry. You see I care about what I stuff my face with, nothing personal hope you understand."

 

[PatsFanCT]

I used to work on a team of about eight people. We rotated who brought bagels/donuts to the weekly meetings. When a new guy joined the team, he or she joined the rotation. No one with any common sense is going "stand up against that tradition". At least no one that cares about fitting in with their new team.Choose your battles.

"I'm going to pass on that club, sorry. You see I care about what I stuff my face with, nothing personal hope you understand."

Then bring fruit. Or just enjoy being an outcast.

 

[Balco]

The important thing is that dez believes himself to be above NFL tradition, doesnt respect his teammates and is willing to damage team relations at the drop of a hat. HUGE warning sign.

Just because something is "Tradition" doesn't make it right. History has proven it time and time again. It takes more courage to stand up for yourself then it does to just allow #### like this to happen. I actually like him a whole lot more after this.

Give me a break with the "tradition" and "bonding" garbage. It is a completely stupid thing to make rookies do. It is a completely stupid thing that frats, and high school athletes do as well. You want to have a cohesive team unit and have a cohesive locker room? Instead of making the rook carry your pads or pick up an exorbitant bill. You take him out to a dinner, you pay the tab, and you act as a mentor to ease his transition to the pros. The media makes it seem like every player does this, but it is not true. There are a ton of veterans who refuse to participate in it. They were talking about it on nfl radio this morning.

 

[mrip541]

I think people are blinded by names of the players involved when they shouldn't matter. What we have is a rookie making it clear that he won't play nice and he's willing to make public comments about it. We have a player who doesn't seem to mind publicly disrespecting his teammates over a harmless request. I think it's the kind of thing that's indicitave of someone with an entitled mindset who won't be making many friends. That is a huge problem, as I said before.

 

[MJD_Mafia]

I am neither a Cowboys fan nor a Cowboys hater. I think hardcore Dallas fans and haters alike are clouding the logic behind this so-called story. Bottom line is Dez is already perceived as a diva and a questionable character guy. If anyone would bother looking into why he was suspended from the NCAA, they'd see it was a questionable move by the NCAA - excessive at the very least. It is very clear that Dez is passionate about football – based on the evidence we’ve seen so far, this guy could end up having Kobe-like commitment to the game and improving his game. He signed his contract months before most people would have predicted. It's obvious the guy wants to get down to business. His refusal to carry the shoulder pads of a player who is the antithesis (lazy, no passion, no discipline) of what Dez is trying to become is nothing short of 100% logical.

I love rooting for players who work harder than everyone else. It's why it was easy to root for Jerry Rice, and why it's easy to root for Peyton Manning. Hopefully Dez will become the next great WR who truly transcends the position.

 

[Balco]

I think people are blinded by names of the players involved when they shouldn't matter. What we have is a rookie making it clear that he won't play nice and he's willing to make oublic comments about it. I think it's the kind of thing that's indicitave of someone with an entitled mindset who won't be making many friends. That is a huge problem, as I said before.

Huh? He won't pick up a players pads because he is supposed to as a rookie?

 

[Moniker]

is this really going to be a six page thread?

This.

 

[39407]

is this really going to be a six page thread?

This.

Agreed. And yet I'm strangely drawn to the thread.

 

[mrip541]

I think people are blinded by names of the players involved when they shouldn't matter. What we have is a rookie making it clear that he won't play nice and he's willing to make oublic comments about it. I think it's the kind of thing that's indicitave of someone with an entitled mindset who won't be making many friends. That is a huge problem, as I said before.

Huh? He won't pick up a players pads because he is supposed to as a rookie?

Just the beginning. Doesn't even make it to a preseason game before making waves when he knows that people are just waiting for it. I'll try and remmeber to bump this thread when he falls of the tracks completely.

 

[VaTerp]

Just curious, do you think WHO was asking him to carry the pads factors in to this? IMO, for the reasons I've stated previously, it does significantly.Singing before dinner to me is entirely different because that is in front of the entire team and is a group activity. If Bryant refuses to do that sort of thing then I would have a problem with it. Williams singling out Bryant to carry his pads, given the context of the situation, is much different to me. And I think his comment to the media about just being there to play football and not do the other stuff was more the PC thing to say and not necessarily an indicator that he would not particiapte in ANY rookie hazing.Rightly or wrongly, Bryant very well could have taken it as this guy sees me out here busting my butt and doing everything to put myself in position to succeed and he wants to take me down a notch and play some mind games with me by having me carry his pads. To which Bryant responded "Hell no, I'm here to take your job not be your flunky." And I respect him more for taking that stance rather than just playing along.

Hi VaTerp,I can see how it's different than the singing as it becomes a person vs person thing. But from what I understand, it's not that big a deal for Williams. There is some position unity and I'd think it would be pretty normal for a rookie to carry the pads of a vet that plays his position. I guess he could have carried another WRs pads but it doesn't seem out of line that it would be Williams. I'd expect that Martellus Bennett carried Witten's pads a couple of years ago. I wouldn't take that as Witten rubbing it in Bennett's face. I'd see it as more that's just how it works.But yes, I can see how it's different than the singing before dinner thing in that regard.And again, I don't think it's a big deal from any angle. Although it clearly is something that we want to talk about...J

Good points. I'm just not sure that most people look at things as objectionally and rationally as you laid it out. Especially in a ultra-competitive environment. I would be interested to see if Benett did in fact carry Witten's pads as I remember some small stuff goin on between them as well.At the end of the day I agree it's not a big deal from any angle. But it's interesting the buzz this has created. My wife says sports are like soap operas for men and the attention this thread is getting seems to support that.

 

[domvin]

You either hate the Cowboys or you are a Cowboys fan...

To EVERYONE else this is a big deal and blah blah blah...

To Cowboys fans, this is not a major issue.

I wouldn't carry Roy Williams friggin pads either. That guy is a bum and if he didnt suck, the Cowboys could have drafted a top named safety instead of using a pick on Bryant in the first place.

Now, if it had been Romo, Ware or Witten, I would give a crap about this...but Williams is riding the fence here and needs to carry everything he can...Including Dez's jockstrap

Fixed

 

[Da Guru]

I remember reading an article about how Matt Stafford carried three sets of pads during training camp last year. Stafford himself was on the local news laughing and joking about it.

Thios is not a real "hazing" but more of a football ritual for rookies. Shoulder pads weight about 3-4 lbs these days so it is not like being tortured. It is about joining a group and accepting that you are the rookie on the team. When players do this they usually do it because they like you..not to abuse you.

Matt Stafford was the highest paid player by far on the Lions last year and he had a good time with it. Bryant should have done the same.

 

[Christo]

This is probably not as big a deal as some will make it out to be, but I am laughing at those dogging Williams and lauding Bryant, as if it should be the other way around. Remember, as disappointing as Williams has been, he has still done more than Dez Bryant, who has yet to play a down in the NFL. Remember that.

Oh, I remember that. It pretty much forms the basis of my opinion that Roy should just be happy he still has a job in the league.

 

[Joe Bryant]

My wife says sports are like soap operas for men and the attention this thread is getting seems to support that.

I think your wife may be right there.J

 

[Balco]

I remember reading an article about how Matt Stafford carried three sets of pads during training camp last year. Stafford himself was on the local news laughing and joking about it. Thios is not a real "hazing" but more of a football ritual for rookies. Shoulder pads weight about 3-4 lbs these days so it is not like being tortured. It is about joining a group and accepting that you are the rookie on the team. When players do this they usually do it because they like you..not to abuse you.Matt Stafford was the highest paid player by far on the Lions last year and he had a good time with it. Bryant should have done the same.

Has nothing to do with whether one is a rookie or not, nor whether the rookie is a high paid/high profile rookie. You need everyone on the team to win, rookie or 10 year vet. The ritual is stupid, and has always been stupid. You want a team bonding event? Have a cookout, go to the movies. And I don't buy the make you do it because they like you. If they liked you, they wouldn't make you do stupid things like carrying your pads. Why would one expect bryant to have a good time with it? Jeremy Shockey thought it was so fun when Brandon Short kept razzing him when he wouldn't sing that he punched him the face.

 

[Da Guru]

I remember reading an article about how Matt Stafford carried three sets of pads during training camp last year. Stafford himself was on the local news laughing and joking about it. Thios is not a real "hazing" but more of a football ritual for rookies. Shoulder pads weight about 3-4 lbs these days so it is not like being tortured. It is about joining a group and accepting that you are the rookie on the team. When players do this they usually do it because they like you..not to abuse you.Matt Stafford was the highest paid player by far on the Lions last year and he had a good time with it. Bryant should have done the same.

Has nothing to do with whether one is a rookie or not, nor whether the rookie is a high paid/high profile rookie. You need everyone on the team to win, rookie or 10 year vet. The ritual is stupid, and has always been stupid. You want a team bonding event? Have a cookout, go to the movies. And I don't buy the make you do it because they like you. If they liked you, they wouldn't make you do stupid things like carrying your pads. Why would one expect bryant to have a good time with it? Jeremy Shockey thought it was so fun when Brandon Short kept razzing him when he wouldn't sing that he punched him the face.

By bucking team tradition Bryant is now being talked about on every sports website, on SportsCenter, on Mike and Mike. Without realizng what he has done Bryant has already put a bulls eye on his back for critics. Bryant came into the NFL with attitude issues and things like this will not help him at all.What Bryant should have done was Suck it up for one day and carried the dam pads.

 

[Christo]

I remember reading an article about how Matt Stafford carried three sets of pads during training camp last year. Stafford himself was on the local news laughing and joking about it. Thios is not a real "hazing" but more of a football ritual for rookies. Shoulder pads weight about 3-4 lbs these days so it is not like being tortured. It is about joining a group and accepting that you are the rookie on the team. When players do this they usually do it because they like you..not to abuse you.Matt Stafford was the highest paid player by far on the Lions last year and he had a good time with it. Bryant should have done the same.

Has nothing to do with whether one is a rookie or not, nor whether the rookie is a high paid/high profile rookie. You need everyone on the team to win, rookie or 10 year vet. The ritual is stupid, and has always been stupid. You want a team bonding event? Have a cookout, go to the movies. And I don't buy the make you do it because they like you. If they liked you, they wouldn't make you do stupid things like carrying your pads. Why would one expect bryant to have a good time with it? Jeremy Shockey thought it was so fun when Brandon Short kept razzing him when he wouldn't sing that he punched him the face.

Maybe Shockey didn't know the words.

 

[Balco]

I remember reading an article about how Matt Stafford carried three sets of pads during training camp last year. Stafford himself was on the local news laughing and joking about it. Thios is not a real "hazing" but more of a football ritual for rookies. Shoulder pads weight about 3-4 lbs these days so it is not like being tortured. It is about joining a group and accepting that you are the rookie on the team. When players do this they usually do it because they like you..not to abuse you.Matt Stafford was the highest paid player by far on the Lions last year and he had a good time with it. Bryant should have done the same.

Has nothing to do with whether one is a rookie or not, nor whether the rookie is a high paid/high profile rookie. You need everyone on the team to win, rookie or 10 year vet. The ritual is stupid, and has always been stupid. You want a team bonding event? Have a cookout, go to the movies. And I don't buy the make you do it because they like you. If they liked you, they wouldn't make you do stupid things like carrying your pads. Why would one expect bryant to have a good time with it? Jeremy Shockey thought it was so fun when Brandon Short kept razzing him when he wouldn't sing that he punched him the face.

By bucking team tradition Bryant is now being talked about on every sports website, on SportsCenter, on Mike and Mike. Without realing what he has done Bryant has already put a bulls eye on his back for critics. Bryant came into the NFL with attitude issues and things like this will not help him at all.What Bryant should have done was Suck it up for one day and carried the dam pads.

The media sites I have listened too are actually supporting Bryant, and I agree with them. It might be a tradition, but it is a stupid tradition, that singles out rookies. There are many other ways to welcome a rookie to a team. Just an excuse that some players use to be jerks to rookies, and they have justification because it is a "tradition".Dez Bryant has done nothing since he has been drafted that has raised any red flags to me. He signed on time, reported to camp in great shape, and has been as good as advertised thus far on the field. If I was a Cowboys fan, I would be thrilled.

 

[Balco]

I remember reading an article about how Matt Stafford carried three sets of pads during training camp last year. Stafford himself was on the local news laughing and joking about it. Thios is not a real "hazing" but more of a football ritual for rookies. Shoulder pads weight about 3-4 lbs these days so it is not like being tortured. It is about joining a group and accepting that you are the rookie on the team. When players do this they usually do it because they like you..not to abuse you.Matt Stafford was the highest paid player by far on the Lions last year and he had a good time with it. Bryant should have done the same.

Has nothing to do with whether one is a rookie or not, nor whether the rookie is a high paid/high profile rookie. You need everyone on the team to win, rookie or 10 year vet. The ritual is stupid, and has always been stupid. You want a team bonding event? Have a cookout, go to the movies. And I don't buy the make you do it because they like you. If they liked you, they wouldn't make you do stupid things like carrying your pads. Why would one expect bryant to have a good time with it? Jeremy Shockey thought it was so fun when Brandon Short kept razzing him when he wouldn't sing that he punched him the face.

Maybe Shockey didn't know the words.

It's possible. I can't stand Shockey, but I was kind of happy when he stuck up for himself there. Short broke his stones about not singing, got angry about it, then rammed his head against Shockey's fist. I also love the Chris Samuels Dana Stubblefield story.

 

[rizzler]

seems to me like anyone finding a problem with this is nitpicking.

as always, people love to see monster talents fail. so they can say 'told you so'

...not even close to a Cowboys fan, but I hope this kid craps on records throughout his career.