Well, it appears that Jerry Jones was indeed serious about his disappointment with Dez Bryant's summer arrest over an alleged domestic violence incident that still hasn't had it's day in court.
Word has surfaced that the Cowboys have requested a set of strict rules and regulations on Bryant, who has accepted them, including a rotating three-man security team, according to ESPN's Calvin Watkins.
The security team that will be with Dez will be hired by Dez Bryant's longtime adviser, David Wells. I leave that to your discretion whether you think that's a good or bad thing. Regardless, Jerry Jones is indicating that Dez is doing his part to adhere to the rules that have been in place since the team returned to Dallas from Oxnard. Bryant did not play in Saturday night's preseason game because of a slight bout of knee tendinitis that should be fine for the regular season opener in New York.
"Oh yeah, very much willing to do anything he can to help himself and help the team," Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said of Bryant. "He's very open minded and cooperative. He's doing the right things by his teammates and everybody is counting on him."
I will admit though that I am surprised to see this list of regulations set for Bryant without any kind of legal conclusion. Although I do see the Cowboys wanting to supercede any action by the league and Sheriff Goodell; these are serious inhibitors on a grown man's personal life. Here's a list of them all:
- A midnight curfew. If he's going to miss curfew, team officials must know in advance.
- No drinking alcohol
- He can't attend any strip clubs and can only attend nightclubs if they are approved by the team and he has a security team with him.
- He must attend counseling sessions twice a week
- A rotating three-man security team will leave one man with Bryant at all times
- Members of the security team will drive Bryant to practices, games and team functions
More...
When asked, Jones said that this isn't the strictest regulations he's ever placed on a player. My question, does that group include a player that has never been suspended from the league or convicted of a crime? Which begets another question, is this a mandatory, behind-the-scenes measure to keep Bryant from a suspension; as in did the league wink-wink suggest some action?
Now, before we go off in the comments section, let's all remember the community guidelines here. Discuss, but keep things civil. I myself have arguments for and against this style of preemptive intervention, so I anticipate an interesting debate. Stay classy, BTB.