Cowboys training camp controversy, or not

The Dallas Cowboys are a few days into training camp and the only controversy is made by the media.  It seems all anyone wants to talk about is the Roy Williams/Dez Bryant hazing fiasco, which doesn’t really amount to anything. 

For those who don’t know, wide receiver Roy Williams told rookie Dez Bryant to carry his shoulder pads.  Bryant refused.  It is not uncommon for a veteran to give a rookie instructions like this, it is part of the ritual.  That Bryant refused might or might not mean anything.  Either way, it is no big deal to the team.  But the media won’t let go.  It makes a good story when a starting player is disrespected by a younger player, even more so when the younger player was obviously drafted because the starter did not play as well as expected.   But a good story does not always tell the whole story.  Wide receivers are not known to be the type that gives a lot of respect to anyone else.  They are the type that believe in themselves.   The team knows this, and won’t care whether or not someone carries another’s pads.

In the interest of keeping tradition, Bryant should have carried the pads in deference to the veteran.  On the other hand, Roy Williams should demonstrate his superiority on the field.  He has had mediocre years as a Cowboy and needs to prove he is worthy by running routes and catching balls, not by hazing a rookie who may well be his replacement.

What is a shame is that we are talking about carrying shoulder pads rather than what is happening during the practices.  Such is the life of the Dallas Cowboys, controversy finds a way to make news.

Another player who needs to have a good training camp, and then back it up during the season, is Martellus Bennett.  Bennett was a media darling at last year’s training camp and pre-season.  Then he disappeared.  Disappeared on the field that is, he continued to be a media presence, most notably with his use of social media.  This year, after tweeting during the trip to San Antonio to report to camp, Bennett suffered an ankle injury which has kept him out of practice.  Without warning, on the same day, he announced he would no longer produce his online streaming video hit, MartyBTV.  Bennett needs to produce on the field this year, his personality can only go so far with the fans.  Today it was reported there are nude photos of him circulating the internet.  Bennett has issued an apology, but will the Cowboys keep him on a short leash this time?  Bennett needs to grow up and be a professional, after all, he is paid like one.

All in all, it must be a good camp if the controversy is as trivial as these.   Let’s hope it stays that way.

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