Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was adamant Wednesday afternoon that he was not making comparisons between himself and Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson. I wasnt comparing myself at all, Bryant said on a conference call with Detroit media, his frustration obvious, even over a phone hundreds of miles away. I think a lot of people took it the wrong way. Clearly, I said theres no comparison. Thats something that I do not do. I dont compare myself with anybody. Bryant instead explained that he meant he can do things Johnson can do -- and that other receivers can do as well, such as catching the ball. Bryant said he even texted Johnson, with whom he does not have much of a relationship, on Tuesday. He declined to elaborate what the text said. Its just a pride thing, like I said, Bryant said. Calvin Johnson set the standard, set that bar high for every wide receiver in the league. I think its the respect, its really respect to him that he makes receivers like us go out there. So is Bryant saying Johnson is, in fact, the leagues best wide receiver? He scoffed initially at that before explaining, again, what he meant. He broke Jerry Rices [single-season yards] record last year, Bryant said. Thats setting the bar. So for every receiver in the league, thats what Im saying. This all started Monday, when Bryant told 103.3 FM ESPN in Dallas that I believe I can do whatever he can do. Its just a pride thing. When it comes to football, just being on the field, its a mindset and having a mentality. It grew even more when Detroit wide receiver Nate Burleson, speaking in defense of Johnson, said Bryant should keep it real as part of his explanation for why Johnson is better. Bryant was asked about Burlesons comments in an interview with SportsCenter that will air Wednesday. Well, you know, Nates right -- Im not Calvin Johnson, Im Dez Bryant. I didnt open up a can of worms. I wasnt going out for nobody. He was also asked in the interview if any of his coaches or teammates have spoken to him about his comments. They havent really said anything to me about it because they all heard what I said, he told ESPN. I dont take back anything I said because I didnt say anything wrong. I think its how a lot of people are looking at it. Im not lying about anything Im saying. I take pride in my game. Theres a lot of stuff that I believe I can do, just besides football. In his conference call Wednesday, Bryant said he was among Johnsons biggest fans when he was growing up and while in school at Oklahoma State. Bryant watched Johnson and watched and tried to learn from him. As far as Bryant is concerned, though, this all is something over nothing. Really, this is a nonissue, Bryant said. This is not a comparison. Theres nothing to compare.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:02:37 +0000