Antonio Bryant: His Stock Is on the Rise

Wide receiver Antonio Bryant’s 2008 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been nothing short of great coming off an up-and-down year in 2006 and 2007. 

In 2007, the San Francisco 49ers waived Antonio Bryant due to his legal problems, bad relationship with Coach Mike Nolan, and what seemed like his lack of commitment.

Although he has been a solid receiver on the field, Antonio Bryant ran into a few legal problems which involved an arrest for reckless driving in his Lamborghini on Nov. 19, 2006 and his violation of drug problems that later occurred in the 2006 season which led to his NFL suspension.

He was charged with suspicion of reckless driving, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest.  The NFL followed the arrest and charges with a four-game suspension, and Bryant was also scheduled to be benched for the final two games of the 2006 season and the first two games of the 2007 season.

The 49ers felt like Bryant was a continued risk that would get worse, which resulted in the 49ers waiving Bryant, which saved them about $1.5 million in cap room.

Antonio Bryant was a free agent for the 2007 season, and picked up by the Bucs for the 2008 season.

Bryant has been a solid player as well as a great role player while Bucs’ WR Joey Galloway has been struggling with injuries all season.

 Bryant has had 936 yards, 310 YAC, 5 TD's, and averages 14.2 yards per catch thus far this season.

Bryant’s credibility and maturity has been rising throughout this 2008 season while playing for Tampa Bay, especially after what might have been one of the most “skilled” catches of the 2008 season he made in Week 14’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Antonio Bryant had 9 catches, 200 yards, 2 TD's, and averaged 22.2 yards per catch in his best performance of the season against the Panthers’.

Bryant has become a legitimate starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ and a great addition for their team.

Antonio Bryant will become a free agent in the 2009 season, as well as Jeff Garcia. 

I wonder what the Bucs’ will do as both players have been incredible for their organization in this 2008 season.