Addressing the problems facing the Cowboys, NFL Network’s Michael Irvin lit into Cowboys tight end Jason Witten as lacking “a heart” on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning Sunday, then praised rookie Dez Bryant for the effort he showed in Monday night’s loss to the Giants.
“Jason Witten — the game’s on the line here,” Irvin said. “No, your season’s on the line.”
As Irvin spoke, NFL Network showed Witten catching a pass and then running out of bounds just short of the first down line as Giants safety Antrel Rolle approached.
“You’re going out of bounds with Antrel Rolle right there?” said Irvin, a Hall of Fame receiver who played his entire career with the Cowboys. “Are you serious? You hit Antrel Rolle in the mouth, you get up and you play with some intensity.”
Then, with video of a Dez Bryant catch showing, Irvin said it was the rookie who was showing his veteran teammates how to play.
“Look at this young guy,” Irvin said. “This is the kind of intensity that the Dallas Cowboy’s whole team needs to play with.”
Irvin has long been a supporter of Bryant’s, so it’s no surprise that he had such complimentary things to say. But it was a little surprising to hear Irvin rip into Witten the way he did. Probably surprising to Witten, too.