Bryant says ‘frustrations’ affected him
FRISCO — Dez Bryant didn’t seem sure how to respond when asked if he would be willing to take a pay cut after perhaps the most difficult season of the Dallas receiver’s career.
Once the 2014 All-Pro came to his senses, he was emphatic.
“Hell no, man,” Bryant said Wednesday, three days after the Cowboys were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Seattle. “I believe in me.”
Bryant opened up in his first lengthy session with reporters in weeks, taking responsibility for a subpar season by saying he let frustrations affect him during games. But he also said some of those frustrations were rooted in the offensive scheme, which he said he would probably address with owner Jerry Jones and coaches in the offseason.
The eighth-year pro also blamed some of his struggles on knee tendinitis, something that hadn’t been revealed. Bryant was listed on the injury report for three weeks earlier in the season, including one week when he missed two practices when an ankle injury also was listed.
But Bryant didn’t miss any games and is on the verge of going all 16 without a 100-yard outing for the first time in his career unless he sits for a meaningless finale Sunday at Philadelphia. In his second season in 2011, Bryant didn’t reach 100 yards in 15 games, missing one for injury.
“I’m a grown man, and I should be able to sit there and have my frustrations in check, regardless of whatever the situation might be,” Bryant said. “All I know is if my mind’s not cluttered, I can beat whoever, whenever, anybody at any time. It’s just sometimes I let certain things get to me that I shouldn’t.”
Overall, the numbers are sobering for a player due to make $12.5 million with a salary cap hit of $16.5 million in 2018.
In the three years before the big contract, Bryant averaged 91 catches, 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns per season. With a game he might not play remaining, the averages in the three years since are 49 catches, 671 yards and six TDs.
Giants name Gettleman GM
The Giants (2-13) have hired former Carolina executive Dave Gettleman as their general manager, bringing back a 66-yearold who spent 15 seasons with the franchise before going to the Panthers and helping them get to the Super Bowl in 2015.
Gettleman, who helped the Giants build strong offensive and defensive lines in his tenure, will be introduced at a news conference Friday.
Odds and ends
Saints rookie running back Alvin Kamara says the NFL has fined him $6,079 for wearing Christmas-themed red cleats with white trim during last Sunday’s victory over Atlanta. … Jordy Nelson missed a second day of practice with a shoulder injury, leaving his availability in the Packers’ already short-handed receiving group in doubt for Green Bay’s season finale against Detroit. … The Saints have placed edge pass rusher Hau’oli Kikaha on injured reserve, ending his season. New Orleans filled his spot on the roster by bringing back Kasim Edebali, who spent the previous three seasons with the club. … The Bills have activated safety Colt Anderson after he missed the past 11 weeks with a broken forearm.