Cowboys ground Dez Bryant

Go to your room, Dez.

The Cowboys announced yesterday that they have set new restrictions for “troubled” WR Dez Bryant to try and keep him out of trouble. Here’s a list of the rules:

-Midnight curfew. If he wants to stay out past it, he must let the team know.

-No alcohol

-No attending strip clubs, and he can only attend a nightclub if he lets the team know and brings security with him.

-Attend counseling sessions twice a week

-A 3 man security team will be with Bryant, one being there at all times.

-Members of the security team will drive Bryant to practices, team meetings and games.

First of all, you just have to laugh at all of this. They really did just ground him like he was a 12 year old kid and he’d  just gotten a bad report card. Secondly, I’m not sure how this is allowed in the CBA. Bryant actually signed off on the rules, but they don’t seem like something that’s going to go over too well. Thirdly, how would this have stopped any of the problems Bryant has had? His most recent problem was a domestic dispute with his own mother. Seeing his mom is something that wouldn’t be against these rules, and I’m sure they’d sign off on him going to his mom’s after midnight. In March of 2011, he was sued for not paying for jewelry. Would this have stopped that?

These “Dez Bryant rules” are incredibly ridiculous. It further shows that the Cowboys have no idea what they’re doing. I really hope that we don’t see more of these rules instituted with players in the future.

NFL Players have a troubling weekend; what’s next?

The offseason is a time for NFL players to keep learning, training and getting ready for the upcoming season. It’s also a time when players have a lot of down time and usually that ends up in trouble for some players. This past weekend, three different NFL players got in trouble with the law.

The first was Denver Broncos linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who was arrested on Saturday in a road rage incident. Police say that Dumervil got out of a car with another passenger and threatened a women in another car. The women, Kristine Ramirez, says that Dumervil lifted his shirt and showed her a gun tucked in his waistband. When police arrived a gun was found in the car, but according to reports the gun nor the car belonged to Dumervil. Dumervil’s attorney says that “once the full investigation is complete, no charges will be filed against Mr. Dumervil”. While there are conflicting details at this point, if Dumervil is found guilty he could be facing suspension. It seems like he’s not for now though, so I wouldn’t expect a suspension for the Bronco.

Also on Saturday, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch got arrested for DUI. A slap on the wrist would be fine for a first time offender, but unfortunatley this isn’t the first time Lynch has seen trouble with the law. He was suspended for three games in 2009 on a misdemeanor gun charge and due to his prior problems he is almost surely seeing a suspension from Roger Goodell. A fair suspension for Lynch would be 3-5 games.

Finally, on Monday troubled Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant was arrested for domestic violence. Police say that Bryant assaulted his mother. Rebecca Lopez of  WFAA-TV said Bryant “Slapped her across the face and pulled her hair”. Bryant turned himself in and was released on $1,500 bail. While some of Bryant’s troubles in the past have been “lighter” problems, this assault is serious and will be taken that way by the NFL. I expect Bryant to be suspended around 4 games.