TEXANS TALKIN' TURD-KEY WITH TUNA
A league source tells that the Houston Texans have contacted the Dallas Cowboys regarding disgruntled receiver Antonio Bryant. We're also hearing that several other teams have inquired about the third-year receiver. "Every team that needs a receiver has called," another source said.
Though the 'Boys and the 'Xans are geographic rivals, their placement in separate conferences causes them to meet on the field only once every four years. Thus, the 'Boys would be more likely to ship Bryant to Houston than, say, to Philly or D.C., both of which teams the Cowboys see twice per year.
And a trade of Bryant to Houston would represent the second Texas two-step that these two franchises have danced this spring, with the Texans sending quarterback Drew Henson to the Cowboys for a third-round draft pick.
Our guess is that the Cowboys initially will try to recoup that third-rounder, arguing that the Texans surely would have traded Henson for Bryant straight up, if that were the deal on the table at the time.
Meanwhile, Bryant reportedly is in Miami as the team wraps up minicamp sessions. Following the Tuesday altercation, Bryant has not been at practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and he won't be present on Friday.
Bryant's mother, Irene, is trying to talk some sense into her prodigal son. "I talked to Antonio for an hour last night," Mrs. Bryant said. "I told him that respect has to be given before it is received. I'm hoping and praying for the best."
Yet another league source tells us that the episode is the result of resentment on Bryant's part regarding newcomer Keyshawn Johnson, whom Bryant believes is the recipient of favoritism on the part of coach Bill Parcells. Before the Johnson-for-Galloway trade, it widely was assumed that Joey Galloway would be dumped, permitting Bryant to crack into the starting lineup.
We've confirmed that the situation turned ugly on Tuesday when Bryant threw his jersey in Tuna's face. Bryant also tried, we're told, to continue his assault on Parcells as Bryant was being thrown out of the team's practice facility.
The players, we're told, are behind Parcells on this one, which indicates that Bryant likely won't be back, under any set of circumstances.
The irony in all of this, as we see it, is that Bryant was third on the depth chart behind two veterans who know a thing or two about falling out of favor -- and getting run out of town. Though we're hearing that the league in general is becoming less willing to give second chances to guys who have demonstrated turdish behavior, both Keyshawn and Terry Glenn have made the most to date of their second chances.
The question at this point is whether Bryant will.
