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SEATTLE - JANUARY 06: Patrick Crayton #84 of the Dallas Cowboys looks up after diving in for a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Seattle Seahawks on January 6, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
After the Dallas Cowboys traded up to nab Dez Bryant with the 24th overall pick in last month's NFL Draft, veteran receiver and return man Patrick Crayton left the team's offseason conditioning program. The word out of Valley Ranch had the team shopping the veteran throughout draft weekend, and Crayton has since reportedly gained permission to assist in finding a suitor.
Crayton has been working out independent of the team, and insists that he'll be ready to play in 2010, regardless of the helmet he's wearing. Quarterback Tony Romo hopes it doesn't get that far, but he understands Crayton's position, as he tries to balance being an athlete with being a businessman.
"Obviously, I'd like for Patrick to be there, but I understand his situation,'' Romo said, per the Dallas Morning News. "I understand the way he's thinking. I want him to be a part of things so we can go forward and stay committed to the approach and what we're doing. But there is that other side of the game sometimes that plays a role."
If Crayton does return to Dallas, Romo has no doubt that he'll come prepared.
"Patrick is the kind of kid who works hard," Romo said. "He'll be prepared, he'll be ready. He's just in a tough situation for what he thinks. He's doing what he thinks he needs to do.''
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