COMMENTARY | Jerry Jones passed up on a franchise wide receiver in the 1998 NFL draft when he selected linebacker Greg Ellis instead of the much-needed Randy Moss.
He might be wishing now that he had passed up on another receiver that is drawing more off-field media attention than what he has done on Sundays the past two seasons. Several incidents since the Dallas Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant have caused many to question the talented receiver’s maturity and whether or not the team should cut bait.
It might be too early to say, but let’s look at the stud receiver the team passed up, and the headache they’ve chosen to endure, at least for the meantime.
Moss had questionable character issues that resulted in the Marshall star’s plummet in that draft to the 21st spot, where he was eventually chosen by the Minnesota Vikings. Jones never really outright said he made a mistake by not taking the player — Moss ended his rookie year with more than 1,300 receiving yards, including 163 and a couple scores against the Cowboys Nov. 26 that results in a 46-38 Vikings win.
Despite the pre-draft issues and sprinkles of controversy throughout his career, Moss retired with 954 receptions, 13,858 yards, a 15.6 average per catch and 153 touchdowns. Imagine what could’ve been had he kept his head on straight.
Although Ellis wasn’t the flashy pick for the Cowboys, he ended up having a very productive career, finishing with almost 400 tackles, 84 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and four INTs. He’s not the best linebacker to ever where the star, but he put up respectable stats and was a consistent performer.
That brings us to the Cowboys’ current prima donna wide receiver that seems to find trouble in the offseason — Bryant. He, like Moss, had character issues coming out of Oklahoma State. Now, some will be quick to point out that Moss’s character flaw revolved around recreational use of the wacky tobaccy, while Bryant’s was more about his work ethic and alleged dealing with former Dallas cornerback Deion Sanders, which was an NCAA violation.
Bryant was suspended for the remainder of the 2009 season as a result of the contact with Sanders.
Regardless of the circumstances, both had question marks heading into the draft. Jones decided he wasn’t going to pass up on another talented receiver, so he took Bryant with the 24th overall pick. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound receiver was said to be the most dynamic receiver coming out that year, but his stock fell because of his suspension and questionable work ethic.
His actions since he was drafted are reason for concern for the team, and, perhaps more importantly, Bryant himself. Here’s a quick recap:
March 19, 2011 — Bryant and his entourage were asked to leave a Dallas-area mall after an off-duty police officer requested they pull up their pants because underwear was showing. He and his crew were initially banned from the mall for 90 days, but the establishment dismissed the ban a couple days later.
March 25, 2011 — Not even a week after the mall incident, a New York-based jewelry company filed a lawsuit against Bryant for an outstanding debt of more than $267,000.
Jan. 15 — Bryant was detained by police a short while following an altercation at a Miami nightclub. The receiver was allegedly coaxed into the incident — reportedly involving Lil Wayne — by an agitator giving Bryant flack about his off-field issues and lackluster performance. Regardless the reason, Bryant failed to maintain his composure and yet, again, ended up in the media.
Bryant barely has more yards in his first two seasons combined than Moss had his entire rookie campaign. The Okie State product has just as much talent, if not more, than Moss. He still has an opportunity to capture the hearts of Cowboys Nation and become the player everyone thought he could be. But, it’s time for him to grow up, learn the playbook and become a professional football player.
At some point, he needs to realize that his actions on and off the field are a reflection of the star he wears. The Cowboys, too, at some point, need to realize that cutting bait is better than dangling your line in the water.