More legal issues for Dez Bryant: He's being sued

Dez Bryant/Courtesy: mediatourage.com

((ht: dallasnews.com))

Dallas Cowboys wide reciever Dez Bryant has some issues. One the plus side for him, the issue with the Mall appears to have been resolved. On the negative, he's now the target of a lawsuit claiming he's not paid his bills.

He's being sued by a New York jeweler who says Bryant hasn't paid him for the $240,000 of jewelry that he ordered in 2010. And....according to the Dallas Morning News, he's being sued for another $293,000 of  jewelery and $12,000-plus of sports event tickets that he charged. Mind you, both of these "Lawsuits" were for purchases he apparently made before he was drafted.

Read the story from DallasNews.com RIGHT HERE

Ok. If reading this pisses you off, it probably should. We are in no position to tell young Mr. Bryant how to live his life, but somebody probably needs to.

With the NFL on strike and the NFLPA (not a union), claiming the players need to help the players afford things after they retire, Mr. Bryant is proving that the players...or at least some of them are just plain stupid.

No, most of us can't relate to the amount of money that Bryant and other players make or pay for things. But we find it hard to believe that players can't afford to buy themselves health insurance. Oh, wait, they have to spend $500,000 on jewelry, that's much more important. For that same amount, Mr. Bryant can have health insurance for the rest of his life.

With the litany of issues Dez Bryant is having this off-season, its obvious he needs to find someone responsible to help him live his life. We get...no, we understand that he like many other athletes are overwhelmed with the idea of being poor their entire life and suddenly have more money than god being foisted upon them. We get that. And the teams should have some responsibility for either providing or strongly encouraging these kids to invest their money instead of blowing it all on stupid stuff.

We are guessing that some do listen to advice such as that. But we are also guessing, based largely on the evidence, that Dez Bryant...well, he's not listening.

Dez Bryant no longer welcome at Dallas area mall

Bwahahaha! Sorry, we couldn't contain our laughter after reading this story. It seems as though Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has been banned from a Dallas area mall after creating a "Disturbance".

According to a report by WFAA-TV, Bryant received a "Criminal Trespass warning at the NorthPark Center on Saturday night. He received the warning apparently after he and some friends went to the mall wearing pants that according to Mall Security--were half down their hips, exposing their underwear".

As the story goes, security asked the men to pull up their pants and were summarily treated to "Profanity Laced" tirade which necessitated Mr. Bryant being asked to leave--and not come back.

Read the entire story from WFAA-TV RIGHT HERE

And--get this. It apparently was not Bryant's "1st issue" at the mall. According to the warning he was issued, Bryant is subject to arrest if he is found at the mall within the next 90 days.

Interesting. On first read, the response here is Bryant needs to act like a grown-up. If he's offending people at the Mall and is asked to pull up his pants, that, despite the potential cultural issues, is not an unreasonable request. Had he complied, we wouldn't be discussing this.

We realize, the "Low-slung" pants thing is somewhat cultural and not necessarily something we totally understand. But...that being said. You just can't do that in a public place. Period. If you want to dress like that around your neighborhood or in your house, go for it. But you are in a public place--a mall.

At second glance, the bigger issue is that it wasn't his first "Disturbance" at the Mall. And while he may feel picked on, we think that the opposite is true and the Mall has given him multiple chances and overlooked some things.

The bottom line here is Bryant just needs to "Shut Up" and let this go away. But we are guessing he won't. He just proves and verifies what people think about some NFL Football players, they don't act like grown-ups, because people don't make them act that way. Grow-up dude, despite what you think, you aren't 15 anymore.

Here's the TV Story from WFAA:

When Is A Seat In JerryWorld Not A Seat...???

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

When your seat is deemed a safety concern...

850 tickets in temporary seating were able to be relocated... 400 more were not...

"The safety of fans attending the Super Bowl was paramount in making the decision and the NFL, Dallas Cowboys and City of Arlington officials are in agreement with the resolution," according to a statement issued by the NFL late Sunday afternoon.

The letter given by the NFL sayeth quote:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please be advised that due to the unforeseen conditions, the installation of temporary seating at Super Bowl XLV was not fully completed.

Your assigned seat is unavailable for today's game.

The NFL and the Cowboys sincerely regret this inconvenience.

The NFL was offering displaced ticket-holders a payment of three times the face value. But what we don't know is if that's three-times ticket broker value or just three times face value...

Here's Jason Whitely standing outside since he can't be inside...


Don't know about you folks, but I'd still be majorly pissed...

DEVELOPING: JerryWorld Thawability Update- Is There A Hole In The Roof...?

((HT: MyFoxDFW))

Despite appearances, an official says there is no hole in the roof of Cowboys Stadium. Arlington ((TX)) Fire Chief Don Crowson denied there was any damage to the world's largest enclosed dome.

"There is no hole in the roof," Crowson said. "It's a matter of ice pack."

Despite Crowson's explanation, an apparent opening remains on the roof, which is made of Teflon-coated woven fiberglass.

In fact, aerial footage showed what appears to be a peel back and a gash...

Both marks appear on the roof along one of the joining girders to the roofing edge...
And it doesn't look pretty...

Here's an interview with Chief Crowson, thanks to our friends at Fox 4...

Hole in Cowboys Stadium Roof?: MyFoxDFW.com

Your JerryWorld Thawability Update

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

Here's your update as we get closer to the last game in the NFL season...
They hope it'll be super...

Gary Reaves is outside...
It may be a little warmer today than yesterday...

Speaking Of Dallas: Cowboys Settle With Player On Collapse

A former Dallas Cowboys player who was inside the practice facility when it collapsed in 2009 has settled a lawsuit against the company that designed the building and companies operated by team owner Jerry Jones.

UTEP grad and tight end Jamar Hunt was attempting to make the team as a rookie free agent at the time of the bubble's collapse in 2009.

Attorney Michael Guajardo says Hunt received an undisclosed amount to settle his claim that he suffered a neck injury when a steel beam landed on him. Hunt maintained in his lawsuit that the injury prevented him from making any NFL team in future seasons, and that he was subject to a double standard if he did want to pursue a job in the league.

He couldn't get clearance to play until doctors gave an all-clear, but then he would be viewed as untouchable because of his injury history.

Here's the piece WFAA-TV ran after Cowboys employees settled with the builder

BREAKING: 5 Injured By Falling Ice At JerryWorld

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

At least five people were injured, including one critically, after ice fell onto them outside Cowboys Stadium in Arlington ((pictured, thanks WFAA-TV)).

The person who was critically injured was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in nearby Fort Worth.

A safety zone has been created completely around the stadium as ice continues to melt and fall off the stadium in chunks.

Watch live coverage from MyFoxDFW/Fox 4 hyah...

Here's WFAA-TV's update from above the scene...

Guess What...??? The Media Hate The Dallas Weather...

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

Full disclosure...

The HQ has been part and parcel of RNC coverage before- three, actually... 28, 33, and 34. The 34th renewal gave the HQ's home city a freak ice storm that paralyzed the city and gave the visiting media something to bitch about.

Atlanta hasn't had a sniff of another RNC since...

The Metroplex is getting the same thing this week... freakishly cold weather, but the temps should be in the 60's by the weekend.

Ya think JerryWorld will get another one down the line...???
You bet your capitalistic ass it will...

But the media are still complaining...

Casey Norton turns the camera on the credentialed...


Guys... guess what...???
The game is indoors, and if you've got a parking pass, leave early...

We covered the baseball Winter Meetings when the weather sucked. We made fun of it the whole time and took a few extra minutes to get from Point A and Point B.

It MUST be too simple a solution...

Why JerryWorld Never Loses Power This Week

Not just because Jerrih says so...

But the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI asked for an exemption for the property during "rolling blackouts" that are going on in the Metroplex during their Ice-A-Pa-Looza 2011...

Lari Barager is freezing outside with an explanation...
((HT: MyFoxDFW))

Why Cowboys Stadium Never Lost Power during Rolling Blackouts: MyFoxDFW.com

Good to know that terrorists won't disturb the BlackEyed Peas performance after all.

DEVELOPING: Tent Collapse At Cotton Bowl

((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

As is part of the RNC celebration week, a lot of corporate sponsors stake out a lot of space for appeasing and partying...

But what everyone didn't see coming in was ice, snow, and 20-degree temps...
It took out a tent at the Cotton Bowl...

Here's Gary Ultee...

RNC Brings A Lot Of Media Folks To Dallas

((HT: MyFoxDFW))

And a lot of different people come from all over to cover the RNC in Dallas...
Sophia Reza tries to track them down by looking at their credentials...

Super Bowl Draws Media to North Texas: MyFoxDFW.com

Rex Ryan Playing For A Trip To Dallas, Brother Rob Is Going To Dallas

At least one Ryan brother will be in Dallas. Rob Ryan is heading to big "D" to become the Cowboys defensive coordinator.

The Associated Press is reporting that Ryan accepted the offer to run the defense in Dallas. The AP is citing two people with direct knowledge.

Here's Rob Ryan's numbers when he was the defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns

Oakland Raiders Defensive Coordinator
Year PPG Vs Sacks Takeaways
2004 27.6 (31st) 25 (31st) 18 (30th)
2005 23.9 (25th) 36 (18th) 19 (29th)
2006 20.8 (18th) 34 (19th) 23 (27th)
2007 24.9 (26th) 27 (28th) 26 (21st)
2008 24.3 (24th) 32 (13th) 24 (17th)

Cleveland Browns Defensive Coordinator
Year PPG Vs Sacks Takeaways
2009 23.4 (21st) 40 (29th) 19 (31st)
2010 20.8 (13th) 29 (25th) 28 (13th)
Source: Dallas Morning News

Hard to make a judgement strictly by the numbers because those were some awful Raider and Brown teams.

The Cowboys were bad on defense finishing 23rd in the NFL in total defense. The Cowboys were OK against the run ranking 12th in the league in rushing defense but had a hell of a time stopping the pass ranking 26th in passing defense.

Cowboys owner/GM and grand pooh-bah Jerry Jones is banking on the Ryan family bloodlines to improve those numbers.

I'm willing to bet Rob Ryan keeps his "Grizzly Adams" look.

Here's Rob making fun of his brother Rex. Yes they are identical twins and you would swear Rex put a mop on his head and glued a faked gotee.



Photo Courtesy: AP

DEVELOPING: Garrett Takes Interim Title Away In Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys have called a 2:30 eastern press conference to announce their new head coach- Jason Garrett.

Garrett went 5-3 as interim coach. The team was 1-7 under then head coach-new Houston Texans DC Wade Phillips before Garrett was promoted from offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

The other candidates Jerry Jones is known to have interviewed are receivers coach Ray Sherman ((to quickly satisfy the Rooney Rule requirement)) and Miami assistant head coach Todd Bowles.

Here's Garrett getting his first one-on-one grilling as head coach...
((HT: WFAA-TV Dallas))

Sunday Carousel: Weis And Garrett Make An Odd Couple

Only because they're in the same story...

Charlie Weis looks like he's going to take the OC job in Boomtown after all.
Nothing like being an overbearing, Type-A personality that will be paired with another Type-A personality for a coaching staff.

Will Muschamp will be the enthusiastic one in Gainesville, and the question now becomes: Who gets to recruit...??? And how do they recruit as a unit...???

Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun has the details about Weis and Aubrey Hill joining the staff.

Now, to the NFL... and it looks like Jason Garrett, winner of 4 of the 7 games he's coached as the interim leader in Dallas, may get that "interim" label pulled after all.

But David Moore of the Dallas Morning News has things still in flux and indecision.

But if you check in to Michael David Smith at PFT, it's a done deal since the Cowboys brought in Ray Sherman to satisfy the Rooney Rule.

OTHER STUFF: Looks like Tom Cable is in question for a return to Oakland, Gary Kubiak is returning to Houston and the Texans, and Marvin Lewis can stay in Cincinnati if his staff changes- which Lewis may balk at...

More when we know more...

Dale Hanson sits out for one story after Dress Code violation

This is silly, but it made us laugh. Dale Hansen of WFAA-TV in Dallas is one of our favorite people. He never lacks for opinions and has no problem sharing them. We've often used clips of him talking about his team...the Cowboys along with some other things Dallas.

So, in light of that, we enjoyed seeing his take on the Cowboys fining RB Marion Barber for a dress code violation.

Enjoy the Video (and you need to watch the whole thing). Thanks WFAA.com:

UPDATING: Wade Phillips Is Still Fired

((HT: WFAA-TV))

Wade Phillips spoke, in paper form, after his dismissal Monday afternoon...

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the fans of the Cowboys and to the entire Jones family for all of the support that we received here in Dallas. I would also like to thank our coaches and players for their loyalty and dedication.

“I told the team today that I have been proud to be a part of their family, and that will never change. I have enjoyed the privilege and responsibility of representing this franchise as its head coach.

“I am disappointed in the results of this season to this point, but I am also very proud of what our team and our players accomplished in the previous three years. In good times and difficult times, our players stuck together and never lost hold of their belief in each other and the strong team bond that they have shared. Family and coaching football have always defined my life and I will always be grateful for my experiences here with the Dallas Cowboys.”

Jerry Jones held a 5:00 eastern time press conference on Monday afternoon at Valley Ranch...

"Obviously, this is a very difficult decision for me, our team and our organization," Jerry Jones said. "We're grateful to Wade and his contributions to the Cowboys leading us to two division titles in his first three seasons with the club. We're not where we want to be at this time, and that's an understatement."

"An in-season coaching change is something that I've not done before; it's something that I was reluctant to even consider as late as this past week," Jones added. "But at this time, I believe in what's the best interest of the organization and the fans is a coaching change."

Dale Hansen and Joe Trahan discuss...

Jerry Jones making threats...finally realizes his team sucks...

We've been laughing all morning about the quote from Jones "I think there are a lot of people here that certainly are going to suffer and suffer the consequences". Why, because he sounds like the Emperor from Star Wars for one.

Yeah, the Cowboys looked pretty darn pathetic last night against the Packers and yeah, there needs to be changes made, but the question we have is..."Couldn't you have phrased it a little better?"


Needless to say, the scribes in Dallas are in a feeding frenzy right now.

Here is the Dallas Morning News with excerpts from the Jerry interview RIGHT HERE

Yeah, we know. We all get it. Wade Phillips is going to fired. It's just a matter of when. Wade is a really good person, everyone likes him. They should. But Wade has been patently unsuccessful everywhere that he's been as a head coach. Really. Look it up.

Not really being Cowboy fans, we find some humor in their current struggles. We find it funny as hell that Jerry spent a Gazillion dollars building Jerry World and now has a crappy team playing in it. We also are going to say "Told you so"...to all the various football writers who pre-ordained them the best team in the NFL before they played a game this year.

Here is an OSG Fave, Dale Hansen opining on Wade's future. Thanks WFAA:

Cowboys looking for answers to questions that nobody knows....

Cowboys fans//courtesy: sharon ellman/ap

This is why you have to take the football expert predictions with a grain of salt. To listen to most of the "NFL Pundits", guys who make a living predicting the NFL, you'd have thought it was pre-ordained that the Dallas Cowboys would be playing in there own Jerry World this year for the Super Bowl.

But, that's why nobody has ever won a title on paper.

The Cowboys are now 1-6 after losing 35-17 to Jacksonville on Sunday and the head scratching and looking for blame has officially gone over the top.

So much so that owner Jerry Jones has apologized to his fans.

Read that story from the Dallas Morning News RIGHT HERE

The local media...they are calling for Coach Wade Phillips' head. Phillips, a likable sort, who has coached for short periods of time for several teams, doesn't appear to be the guy to fix it. For his part, Jones says that Phillips is safe....for now.

NBCDFW.com has the list of people calling for Phillips's head RIGHT HERE

Here is the Jerry Jones post-game interview. Yes, he may be the only owner in the NFL who has his own post-game presser. Please don't mind the laugh track....it was the only place we could get this video from

Thanks mrdallassuxx/YouTube: