Cowboys rookie Dez Bryant already being compared to Terrell Owens ... and that’s not a good thing

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There was a time not so long ago any young wide receiver would have loved being mentioned in the same breath as Terrell Owens.

But if you’re an NFL rookie receiver in 2010, you probably don’t want to be likened to the still-unemployed T.O.

Especially if you play for the Cowboys.

After just the second day of training camp, Dez Bryant, a first-round pick for the Cowboys back in April, is making headlines. Check out this one from the Orlando Sentinel:

‘Dez Bryant is Terrell Owens 2.0’

As we all know, things did not end well for Owens in Dallas. And things might not be starting too well for Bryant, at least if you buy into all the hype surrounding Bryant’s refusal to carry veteran receiver Roy Williams’ pads after the team’s first practice session with pads Sunday.

It may be tradition for rookies to perform certain rituals, including carrying the pads of veteran players. But Bryant says he’s having none of it.

‘I’m not doing it,’ Bryant said. ‘I feel like I was drafted to play football, not carry another player’s pads.’ He added, ‘If I was a free agent, it would still be the same thing. I just feel like I’m here to play football. I’m here to try to help win a championship, not carry someone’s pads. I’m saying that out of no disrespect to [anyone].’

The Sentinel says: ‘Sounds like the signs of a locker room cancer. And as Terrell Owens aka T.O. can tell Dez Bryant, there is no escaping that reputation. So it’d be in Bryant’s best interest to get that attitude in check now.’

Speaking of T.O., the controversial wide receiver may not be unemployed much longer. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported over the weekend that Owens could sign with the St. Louis Rams or Cincinnati Bengals sometime soon.

-- Chuck Schilken

Top photo: Dez Bryant at training camp Sunday. Credit: Ron Jenkins / MCT. Bottom photo: Terrell Owens with the Cowboys in 2006. Credit: Chris McGrath / Getty Images