Dez Bryant is gone, but certainly not forgotten.
Though the Pro Bowl receiver has yet to sign the $12.8 million franchise tag tender offer from the Cowboys and hasn’t shown up for voluntary off-season workouts, he was a hot topic during Jerry Jones’ pre-draft press conference this week at Valley Ranch.
Now Jason Garrett sadi he’s been in regular contact with Bryant as well.
“I've spoken to Dez a number of times over the course of this offseason,” Garrett said. “He's working very hard. Dez has not been here. This is a voluntary period for us. There's nothing mandatory about it. But we're fortunate. On our team we have so many guys who live in Dallas that are participating in the offseason program. It's off the charts in a voluntary situation. Dez has not been part of that up to this point, but he's working hard. We love Dez Bryant. Dez Bryant's a heck of a football player. He's the right kind of guy. Got great football character and hopefully some of his situations from a business standpoint can be worked out and he'll back in here working out with us.”
Bryant’s fitness and work ethic have never been questioned. But the fact that he’s working out alone is concerning to him and Cowboys fans.
Without team supervision and without a signed contract, Bryant wouldn’t receive any money should he get injured. Upon signing the tender the $12.8 million becomes guaranteed.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
