Cowboys' Bryant changes agents, approach to the game

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

chill@star-telegram.com

OXNARD, Calif. -- The ongoing Dallas Cowboys soap opera that is receiver Dez Bryant took another turn on Friday when he terminated his relationship with agent Drew Rosenhaus with plans of returning to Eugene Parker, according to multiple sources.

The move can't officially be made until a five-day waiting period has passed.

Bryant got the ball rolling Friday, sending an official letter of termination to Rosenhaus.

Parker was Bryant's original agent and did his rookie deal with the Cowboys before Bryant made the switch to Rosenhaus last year.

Both Parker and Rosenhaus declined comment.

"I know the quality person Eugene Parker is," owner Jerry Jones said. "I think Dez benefits from that."

Certainly, Rosenhaus is not to blame for incidents involving Bryant, who has had issues throughout his brief NFL career.

But things have escalated over the past year.

He was detained by Miami police in January after getting in an altercation with the entourage of rapper Lil Wayne. Two weeks ago, Bryant was charged with misdemeanor family violence for allegedly attacking his mother.

Bryant, who has not talked to the media because of the criminal complaint, has been forced to re-examine his life and how he handles his business.

Jones has told Bryant in no uncertain terms that he must mature and be a good citizen on and off the field if he hopes to remain a member of the Cowboys.

While the family violence charge remains unresolved, the Cowboys are pleased with the way Bryant has approached his job in training camp so far. He has not let the issue be a distraction and has been one of the most impressive, if not the most impressive player, during the first week of camp.

Coach Jason Garrett said the Cowboys have talked to Bryant about focusing on football in practice.

"He's looked outstanding," Garrett said.

One of the reasons the Cowboys were excited about the possibility of Bryant breaking out in 2012 was that he had a full off-season for the first time in his career, and he was finally going to be in football shape coming to camp.

Bryant caught 63 passes for 928 yards and nine touchdowns last year, but there were four games in which he caught no passes in the second half and five in which he caught just one.

"He's one of those guys who has about 4 percent body fat," Garrett said. "He takes his shirt off and he's carved out of a mountain.

"He did a great job at different times last year of fighting through different injuries he had. He had a thigh deal going, he had some other things he fought through, so he has mental toughness to do it. He just has to continue to understand the importance of it."

According to Garrett, it's not just being in shape. It's understanding how to be a mature football player.

"I think the other factor with Dez that I think is important is understanding how to use your energy," Garrett said. "[He] has to be able to channel that energy and be mature enough to know when you need to be your best. I think he's understanding that better."

Clarence E. Hill Jr.

817-390-7760

Twitter: clarencehilljr

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