Dallas Cowboys: Is Patrick Crayton Hurting Himself?

OTA’s are voluntary, but still help everyone get better. But Patrick has decided to sit this one out, and find a better deal. So far, no takers. Word is, apparently Crayton is not sending a message by skipping now according to his agent Fred Lyles. The reality of the situation is this, the Cowboys, and Crayton, might find it difficult in finding a trading partner as Crayton’s two years into a $14 million, four-year contract (with a base salary of $2 million for 2010). Unless a team is willing to trade for him and plans to start him, that’s a fair bit to be paying a backup.

Still today, Crayton remains one of the most reliable wide receivers since moving into the spotlight when Terry Glenn went down in 2007 (ending the year with career highs in catches (50), yards (697) and touchdowns (7)). That December Crayton signed a five-year contract extension and entered the 2008 season as the starting wide out opposite T.O. With the arrival of Roy Williams, Crayton dropped back on the depth chart to the 3rd option ending with 39 receptions, 550 yards and 4 TDs.  In 2009, Crayton racked up 37 receptions, 626 yards, and 5 TDs.

In 2010, the Cowboys are obliviously stacked at wide receiver, but that isn’t always the worst problem to have. After all, show me a recent high profile first round wide out, just turned multi-millionaire (with a little bit of an attitude) — that turned into an impact player in year one. Certainly, Dez has talent, and Roy Williams has something to prove. But to date, Crayton remains the most reliable wide out on the Cowboys – certainly capable of helping some team this season, but his best opportunity might be here in Dallas.

Play on Crayton.

Questions about Lebron James Future

And now the most anticipated sports contract ever – finally upon us. After falling to Boston 4-2, NBA free agencies season has officially begun. Stay? Go? Are the tools in place in Cleveland? Move and build? Shaq did it. What about a change of scenery? New York? Chicago? Miami? Sacramento? Yes, apparently the Kings are on the radar. The sports world remains a buzz.

Win a championship in Cleveland this year and Lebron stays? Likely. Lose in the in the conference finals and Lebron stays? Possibly. Our world seems rocked that the Cavs lost to the Celtics in six.  Coming off the game 5 performance, James faced criticism for his lackluster 3-for-14 performance. In game six James responded with a triple-double (27-19-10), but during the final minutes remained somewhat carefree, emotionally spent.

Not to say an entire career decision rests on a week of poor play, or a series, but the larger factors need to be considered. Are the pieces in place? It seems every year Cleveland tries a new player here, or there. The plan changes, but the outcome remains the same. Back to Cavs, the real loser in this entire scenario is the city of Cleveland. This was supposed to be the year the Cavs won the title — or at least reached the NBA Finals. Now, it seems the Cavs’ poor showing against the Celtics will make it more likely James will sign elsewhere this summer.  One more win, one more series, and this might have had a different outcome.

July 1^st is right around the corner.