Antonio Bryant Is Confusing

December 02, 2009 at 02:25pm by Scott   •  2 Comments »

I love reading interviews with Antonio Bryant. Even though he kind of talks in circles the way Raheem Morris does, it doesn’t frustrate me in nearly the same way. It’s like the difference between trying to have a conversation with a small child and a crackhead. Neither one is going to be very enlightening, but at least one of them is mildly endearing and kind of cute. Crackheads are the best.

The interview is mostly about how Bryant isn’t getting the ball but that’s okay because he just wants to win but he still really wants the ball and it’s not about the money but please someone pass him the fucking ball. Like for instance:

“You want opportunities in a game, but you don’t sit there thinking about that at the time. You just play football. We’re trying to win, and there are a lot of different things that need to happen in order for us to win besides me getting the ball.”

That’s the right thing to say. Compare that with this, said within two minutes of the above:

“It’s hard to watch other guys … I can name guys all over. A good friend of mine over there in Houston [Andre Johnson], I swear, already has 100 attempts at the ball. I probably don’t even have 50. It’s just disturbing to me that guys are getting an opportunity to get the ball.”

He’s not going all T.O. on us, but he’s obviously frustrated. Does he blame it on Josh Freeman? Maybe a little.

“There are times when I’m running around wide open and Josh [Freeman] doesn’t see me. That may be due to seeing that read in practice, but also you have to be coached up on where to look and throw the ball as well. Those things have to happen.”

Or maybe not. Maybe it’s the coaches.

“With me being hurt I don’t have my own section on the play sheet anymore like I used to for a play to be called. I know that for a fact.”

Players have their own section of the play sheet? And Bryant doesn’t have one? FIX THIS! Holy shit, the guy had a hurt knee for a few weeks, he didn’t have his legs amputated. Bryant is the most talented receiver on the team. Why would you remove him from the play sheet? Now I’m frustrated.

Here’s something the coaches are going to enjoy:

This is not college. When I first came into the NFL the first thing I learned is they don’t really coach you here.

Damn. Then what’s all the yelling for?

“You can plan a picnic but you can’t predict the weather.”

No real reason to print that other than I like it. It sounds Bill Parcells-ish.

There’s a lot of stuff in there about his knee, his willingness to return to Tampa Bay next season, how he’s not in a position to say anything despite the fact that he just keeps on talking. Oh, and he says the phrase “Point blank, period” several times. It’s 2010′s “Know what I’m saying?”, so get to know it.