Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has claimed that his side need more players like Dez Bryant despite the wide receiver drawing criticism for his sideline antics.
Bryant had to be separated from Witten shortly after the Cowboys had conceded a touchdown with just 12 seconds left that ultimately saw them beaten 31-30 by the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was also involved in an altercation with quarterback Tony Romo during the match, but Witten insists that there is absolutely no problem between Bryant and his teammates.
"There's not a guy that you love playing more with on Sundays than Dez Bryant. I feel like I have a lot of passion and I think he matches that passion. I love that. It's been an honour to watch him develop into the player and the person that he's become, really an elite player at his position and what he does," Witten told reporters.
"You can't have too much passion in those situations. It wasn't about him. It was about our team. So you want more guys like that. I am not just saying that. It really is. You want more guys who care and that are upset. That's all of us. It wasn't about him. It's about us.
"You've seen the way he's developed over the last four years. It's pretty special, you know? I don't think what happened on Sunday was a lack of poise. I thought he was very poised. There's nothing wrong with being frustrated."
In the days following the incident, Bryant insisted that he had nothing but respect and love for Witten and Romo, and Witten revealed that the feeling is mutual.
"I know he's got a lot of respect for me, and I've honestly got a lot of respect for him. Really, that's what makes it special. Him and I, it's a close relationship, and really it's a handful of guys. He said that about Tony. He wants to make Tony proud and know that he can throw it up to him in any of those situations. That's what makes him such a great teammate," Witten added.
"If it was just about him, it would be different. That's what you love about Dez. Any time it's an opportunity, [he will say], 'You did this to help out.' And it's like, 'No, I really didn't do that. You just kind of went over the top of the guy and caught the ball.' But he's always wanting you to feel a part of it and being there with him. That's why you love playing with guys like that."
Despite last weekend's defeat, the Cowboys still sit top of the NFC East going into Sunday's match against the Minnesota Vikings.
Barney Corkhill
