First day not all it was cracked out to be for Cowboys' Bryant

Photo courtesy of Kansas City Star

You would think the eyes if the NFL universe would revolve around Brett Favre’s injured ankle and his thoughts as he ponders his future on his farm in Mississippi.

Instead the cameras and journalists armed with pen, pad and tape recorder converged upon Valley Ranch, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

A few days remained before draftees and undrafted free agent report for rookie mini-camp, yet a buzz already surrounded an incoming player prior to his arrival on the practice field.

Drafted by the Cowboys late in the first round of April’s NFL Draft, former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant was already hailed as one of the premier talents available.

Armed with size, speed, athleticism and football smarts, his arrival in Dallas added to an already potent offense including the likes of Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Felix Jones and others, team officials felt he was a missing piece for a team expected to make deep playoff runs each season.

He did come with some baggage. Contact with future hall of famer and former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders was deemed “inappropriate” by the NCAA.

Teams knew this coming into the evaluation process leading up to the draft, and despite being a premier talent his stock fell in the eyes of pundits and NFL general managers alike.

Bryant fills one of the Cowboys’ needs, presenting a strong, physical receiver to compliment Austin, who with another good campaign in 2010 could earn a lot of money next season (should the NFL not go into a strike).

However, the rookie likely wasn’t expecting his life – in particular his parents’ past – drug into the equation.

During pre-draft evaluations, Bryant was asked by Miami Dolphins’ general manager Jeff Ireland allegedly asked him whether his “mother previously had been a prostitute?”

All players are drilled during this process. Football is a business and understandably team officials will go to all lengths to find out about a person of whom they may potentially decide to spend millions of dollars on.

It may be just me, but certain questions about people’s parents are out of bounds. Though lacking in taste, however, Ireland is not wrong in asking the question either, particularly when the issue was brought up in evidence, rumor or conversation – whether it be during a discussion with the player in question or another source.

I’m more mad this story seems to be overshadowing the first day these rookies step onto a professional practice field, getting their initial NFL experience. At least for one “freshman,” the first day was more than bargained for.

In time, this storm will pass and he’ll be able to kick back and just play ball. Hopefully, this is one of those passing rains that reaps bountifully for the Bryant and his family, but for the time being they might want to keep an umbrella and a forgiving heart available at all times.