Buzz - Dez Bryant got the x

The Dallas Cowboys officially released Dez Bryant on Friday, after an eight-year stint with the team. He holds a franchise record for 73 touchdowns. Bryant met with owner Jerry Jones, and it was obvious that the outcome of said meeting would either result in Bryant taking a pay cut or his release. Apparently, a pay cut wasn't even given as an option.

On his way out the door (supposedly, because we don't really have any real way of knowing this), Bryant told Cowboys' brass that he'll see them "twice a year," meaning that he wants to play for a divisional rival. Out of the three remaining teams in Dallas' division, the one I'd lean further towards is the Philadelphia Eagles, just because they're stacked already and why not?

There was also some controversy brewing this weekend over whether remaining Cowboys players (most notably, quarterback Dak Prescott) pushed him out. Bryant referred to them as the team captains and "Garrett's guys," meaning Jason Garrett's minions, I assume. While we'll probably never know, Prescott responded to Bryant's release, reiterating that releasing players is "not my decision."

buzz-worthy-

• New Eagles receiver Mike Wallace will receive a $585K bonus if he shows up to workouts at 250 lbs. or less. Wallace failed his first conditioning test with Baltimore two years ago. 
• In other new Eagles players news, CB Daryl Worley was arrested on Sunday morning after a fight with police. He was apparently tasered and a gun was found at the scene. He was cut on Sunday night. I've only been out in Philadelphia one time, but it looks like things get pretty lit indeed there.
• Panthers QB Cam Newton surprised Special Olympics athletes over the weekend at an event in Atlanta. What a thug.
• Former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians will accept a broadcasting gig soon, as he is currently weighing two different offers. Arians is personally one of my favorite "football minds," and it couldn't hurt imo.
• Richie Incognito is apparently un-retiring or is just plain mentally unstable. Either, or both are true. He said on Twitter (which I can't see because he blocked me) that he'll show up today for OTAs and that he wants to be released from his contract. Ok sure.
• Danny Amendola had a lot to say about Bill Belichick, and his current gig with the Miami Dolphins. Amendola mentioned that the Patriots' offer didn't even come close to the  Dolphins', and shared his thoughts on the whole Malcolm Butler, Super Bowl fiasco.
• Mark Sanchez gets suspended on his days off, and it was announced on Friday that he has been suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season. He's currently not on a team, but has been on the Seahawks' radar as of recently.
• Which brings me to my next point. Seattle signed some made-up person named Stephen Morris, who is apparently a quarterback. He hasn't played in an NFL game. After canceling their visit with Colin Kaepernick because he said he would still kneel during the National Anthem, I've got nothing for ya here.
• RG3 gave some advice to rookie quarterbacks on Friday, and it was something. He told them to "listen to your coaches, they'll make you better." Even the ones who send you into the game with your leg hanging on a string? K
• Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end and giant human being ​Calais Campbell reflected on living through being homeless as a child. He's since made $70 million in his NFL career. How's that for a turnaround feel-good story on a Monday morning? Rise and grind, or something like that.
• Rob Gronkowski will not attend OTAs today, according to Adam Schefter. He's still contemplating playing in 2018 apparently (he's probably just hungover).

What I'm reading today-

• Frank Gore happy to be home (dolphins.com)
• Ryan Shazier: "It motivates you" (steelers.com)
• Chiefs, Rams to face off in Mexico City on Monday Night Football (Chiefs Wire)
• In their own words: Aqib Talib on becoming a Los Angeles Ram (therams.com)

last word-

People don’t really know the value of cheese... like you can damn near eat cheese with everything

— DIGGS (@stefondiggs) April 14, 2018