After bouncing around between Dallas, Cleveland and San Francisco over the first five years of his career -- and wearing out his welcome in each place, it seems -- Antonio Bryant found himself out of the NFL during the 2007 season. Prior to this season, the 27-year old Bryant signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and not only made the team out of training camp, he found himself as a starting wide receiver and, eventually, the Buccaneers go-to target in the passing game. He had a career year in Tampa Bay, leading the team with 83 receptions, 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which were career highs. For his efforts, the Buccaneers are looking to re-sign Bryant, and as Jim Flynn of Pewter Report mentions, if the Buccaneers can't work out a long-term contract with him they would consider placing franchise tag on him, paying Bryant roughly $9 million in 2009.
The Buccaneers are expected to enter the free agency period with nearly $46 million in salary cap space -- most in the league -- so they should be able to handle such a number for their No. 1 receiver.
Bryant was a standout receiver in college at the University of Pittsburgh, becoming one of only three sophomores to ever win the Biletnikoff award as the best wide receiver in college football (Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald were the others).
Despite his on-field ability, there were concerns surrounding his attitude entering the NFL draft, leading to him falling to the second-round of the 2002 draft. I still remember when the Pittsburgh Steelers pick came up that year with his name still on the board, and wondering if they would take him. They did not, instead opting for Antwan Randle-El, while Bryant went one pick later (No. 63 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys.
Initially, Bryant endeared himself to then-Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells for his toughness after he returned to practice with a broken finger. The following season, however, the two had a rather large disagreement in practice that resulted in Bryant throwing his jersey at Parcells. Not long after, he was sent to Cleveland in exchange for Quincy Morgan.
After spending the rest of 2004 and all of 2005 in Cleveland, Bryant signed a four-year, $14 million deal with San Francisco and played one season (14 games) with the 49ers before being released.
Obviously, 2008 was a bounce back year for Bryant, which will end up being a great thing not only for his career in the NFL, but his bank account as well.
