Patrick Crayton's Plea To Dallas

Patrick Crayton has been far from quiet about the way he feels he is being treated by the Dallas Cowboys' front office recently.

He told the media that Dallas is "messing with people's careers and people's lives."

Crayton says this because he feels like he should be granted his release so that he has more time to adjust to a new team and so that his family has more time to adjust to a new town.

While it may be fair to feel this way, it is far from fair to be vocal about it to the media.

The NFL is a business.  Dallas made an investment in Crayton and have not gotten the return they hoped for. 

In six NFL seasons, he has never broken 700 yards receiving for a season and only once caught for more than five touchdowns.

So what does he expect, to be treated like a star?  I've got news for you Patrick, if Green Bay wouldn't grant Brett Favre his release then why do you think you should get special treatment?

You don't really fit into the team’s plans anymore—that is easy to see.  Miles Austin is looking to become a star, Dallas has invested far too much in Roy Williams to let him go, the team just drafted a top college receiver in Dez Bryant and many people like Kevin Ogletree's potential to make a big play.

This being said, Dallas does not want to let Crayton go without seeking some kind of return for him.  I mean, if a team can get something for Bobby Carpenter then there has to be some hope for Crayton, perhaps from his former coach's, Bill Parcells', new team in Miami.

To say that the team is messing with people's lives is absurd. Players who are traded the day before the deadline make less noise about it than Crayton has here.

Dallas told Crayton's agent that he could seek a trade, but not a release.  So if there is no trade to be found, maybe it is Crayton's agent who should work a little harder.

If the receiver continues to make noise about the situation he is only making himself look like a headache for potential suitors.  

There is no loyalty in the NFL if it stands in the way of winning the one game that matters, the Super Bowl.  With Crayton as a top receiver, Dallas cannot go the distance and they realize that now.  

The team held on as long as they could, Crayton should understand the business and let it go.  With $2 million owed to him this season; you can't blame the Cowboys for waiting it out to see if a worthwhile deal presents itself for the 31-year-old receiver.