Dez Bryant Fires Back at Media for Relating His Past to Aaron Hernandez

Dallas Cowboysreceiver DezBryant is apparently tired of having his name drug in the dirt alongside former New England Patriots tight end and accused murderer Aaron Hernandez.

In response to comments made by an ex-NFL scout regarding Bryant's pre-draft background checks, the Cowboys receiver fired back via Twitter Monday afternoon.

   Last week, former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus told 105.3FM in Dallas (via the Dallas Morning News) that background checks on Bryant leading up to the 2010 NFL draft were  "the worst I had ever seen." The comments came after a question regarding Hernandez, who was charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd and released by the Patriots last Wednesday.

Later, Broaddus talked at length about the worries associated with drafting a player like Bryant.

On Dez…that’s the thing as a personnel guy. You wake up. You don’t sleep at night. And when you wake up, you’re thinking did he go off the reservation today. That was something that we had to deal with. You deal with ok what happened, checkTMZ, nothing happened, ok, we’re good for a day. You’re constantly worrying about players because they get put in terrible situations, sometimes by their own doing.

A majority of the NFL media picked up the story, including NFL.com and CBS Sports. 

As expected, Bryant wasn't happy about his named being associated with a man charged with murder.

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Bryant has had a quiet offseason off the field.

While Bryant grew up with a mother convicted of selling cocaine (per ESPN Dallas) and an absentee father, he's mostly stayed out of serious trouble since being drafted by the Cowboys. 

Bryant has dealt with minor incidents such as wearing his pants too low at a Dallas mall (via USA Today), a lawsuit for unpaid jewelry debt (via Dallas Morning News) and an argument that turned violent with his mother (via Dallas Morning News). He was arrested for the dispute with his mother (his only NFL arrest), but all charges were later dropped.

While far from an angel, Bryant is just as far removed from a murderer. 

Even a quiet offseason hasn't kept Bryant's name out of the dirt. This May, Bryant told ESPN Dallas that he had "found himself." 

"I'm comfortable with my life," Bryant said. "I'm enjoying being in the NFL. I wish it could've been a couple years back, but I had to go through a couple of things to figure it out."

Bryant, 24, caught 92 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Cowboys last season. 

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New Orleans Pelicans make offer to Tyreke Evans

  

The New Orleans Pelicans made a four-year, $44 million offer to restricted free agent Tyreke Evans during their meeting on Sunday night, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks. While the Sacramento Kings have the right to match any offer sheet that Evans eventually signs when the free agency moratorium lifts on July 10, it remains to be seen if they would match such a lucrative deal.

Evans has serious interest in signing with the Pelicans, and will likely agree to sign the deal if the Kings tell him later today in their meeting in Los Angeles that they will not match. Owner Vivek Ranadive, general manager Pete D'Alessandro and coach Michael Malone are expected to take part in the meeting, and a person with knowledge of the Kings' thinking said they are considering matching the offer if he agrees to sign it. Evans is visiting with the Detroit Pistons before seeing the Kings.

Evans won the 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but his scoring and passing production has declined each of his four years in the NBA. Last season he averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game for the Kings.

While the Pelicans were among six teams meeting with small forward Andre Iguodala today in Los Angeles, they made Evans a top priority when free agency began at 9:01 PT on Sunday night with an in-person meeting. If New Orleans lands Evans, it remains to be seen what it means for the rest of the roster that is now stacked with perimeter players.

The Pelicans have an agreement to bring Philadelphia Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday their way in a deal in which they gave up No. 6 pick Nerlens Noel (Kentucky) and a 2014 first-round pick. They also have Greivis Vasquez at the point guard spot and Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers at shooting guard, but see Evans as a combo talent who can play point guard, shooting guard, and small forward.

Jay-Z raps about NFLPA investigation on new record

Jay-Z has been leaking the lyrics to his upcoming, modestly-titled album "Magna Carta Holy Grail," and while he doesn't mention Jets quarterback Geno Smith by name, he comes off as confident that he won't lose Smith to an impending NFLPA investigation.

The Player's Association is looking into the rapper's agency, Roc Nation, for an alleged violation of the "runner rule" during the recruitment of Smith. While most of that will fall on Smith's agent, Kim Miale, the NFLPA is looking into whether or not Smith was swayed by a meeting with Jay-Z.

The lyrics to Jay-Z's song "La Familia" came out today and contained a verse about the inquiry.

"NFL investigations/ Oh don't make me laugh /FBI investigation /We stood up to that" 

So while we don't know what the fallout will be from the investigation, we're at least led to believe that it won't bother Jay-Z.

Knicks express interest in Monta Ellis

As the free-agent negotiatiing period opened Monday morning, the Knicks expressed an interest in pursuing a deal with Bucks shooting guard Monta Ellis, league sources told CBSSports.com.

A union of Ellis and the Knicks is viewed as a longshot, as the Knicks only have the $3.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception available. Ellis just opted out of a deal that would have paid him $11 million next season in Milwaukee.

But Ellis, 27, and his Washington, D.C.-based agent, Jeff Fried, are known to be willing to compromise in order to sign with a contending team. And the Knicks, who face the free-agent loss of sixth man of the year J.R. Smith, would provide ample opportunity for Ellis to showcase his scoring prowess deep into the playoffs.

The Bulls, Spurs, Nuggets and Suns also are among the teams who expressed interest in Ellis as the free-agent negotiating period began Monday at 12:01 a.m. ET, league sources said.

New York already has one deal pending, the acquisition of Raptors center Andrea Bargnani for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak and draft picks. The deal won't be official until July 10.

The Bucks are facing the possible free-agent loss of Ellis and restricted free-agent Brandon Jennings this summer. Unrestricted free agent J.J. Redick has been the subject of sign-and-trade talks, but has had no discussions about staying in Milwaukee, Yahoo Sports reported.

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Jadakiss speaks on rumors that he may sign to MMG

Yesterday we heard from Jadakiss on his upcoming projects, namely, his own solo album Top 5 Dead Or Alive, but as well he announced a joint project with Yo Gotti, and confirmed the LOX album is still happening. Jada himself was recently featured on Rick Ross' Self-Made Vol. 3 single "Oil Money Gang," which sparked rumors that the rapper would be signing to MMG. In a new interview with XXL, Jadakiss addresses this possibility.

Jadakiss reveals that if anyone is singing to MMG, it would be the LOX. The rapper didn't confirm or deny an MMG deal would happen, however it sounds like MMG deifnitely has an interest in the trio of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch.

"The LOX might get an offer from MMG," Jada said. "That’s what that’s about. I’m signed to Def Jam though for three or four more albums. But definitely that was one of the places that were inquirying about the new LOX album. You’ll hear about a couple more. The LOX album is definitely coming."

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