Cowboys LB Lee: I still love Bryant

OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee fired back at free agent receiver Dez Bryant on Friday after his former teammate called him a “snake” on Twitter while suggesting Lee played a role in the club’s decision to release its career leader in touchdown catches.

The exchange was prompted by a radio station’s tweet from an interview with executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones. He suggested quarterback Dak Prescott felt pressure to get the ball to Bryant.

“First thing, to say that I can get anybody off the team and have any input on a roster is absurd,” Lee said. “The second thing, I love Dez and I want the best for him.

“You know, to be honest, we did butt heads, because I wanted Dez to be more accountable to this team and his teammates. To be honest with you, a lot of the team felt that way. I think he needs to look at himself and hold himself accountable.”

In an expletive-laden response to the radio station’s tweet, Bryant criticized the team’s play-calling. A second tweet suggested “my brother snake Lee I mean Sean Lee” and center Travis Frederick had a hand in the decision to release Bryant.

Frederick said it wasn’t reasonable to think a fifth-year player, which he is, could wield influence on roster decisions.

“It’s certainly disappointing,” Frederick said. “It’s disappointing when you hear guys turn against each other, but I think in the end Dez was a great teammate of mine and I’d still consider him a friend.”

The radio station’s original tweet didn’t include all of Jones’ quote, leaving out a portion that made a reference to tight end Jason Witten. The club’s leader in catches and games retired after 15 seasons to go into broadcasting. The station sent a subsequent tweet with the portion about Witten.

“He’s got to trust the system, which at times last year, there was pressure, with Dez in his ear and to some degree Jason in his ear,” Jones said in the radio interview. “Those great players want the ball.”

Later, Jones said he didn’t intend to criticize Bryant.

“You’ve got great players like Dez and Witten, they want the ball,” Jones said at Cowboys camp. “Everybody sees it. It’s on every team.”