The Art of a Sideline Tantrum

Peyton Manning storms off the field after succumbing to a goal line stand, throwing three consecutive incomplete passes, and forcing his team to settle for a late-game field goal in a Monday showdown against the Rams. His emphatic "Dammit" can probably be heard from the expensive seats by the end zone, and every single viewer of the NFL Films special published a few months later. Moments later, any skilled cameraman in the building has their eyes on Peyton screaming at pro bowl center Jeff Saturday. "Quit calling the f****** plays", Peyton's NFL Films mic picks up, and his enraged demonstrations affirms any doubts that he's pretty pissed off.

This is considered leadership.

Tom Brady lights into then Offensive Coordinator Bill O'brien for criticizing an interception in a 34-27 win.

This is considered competitive spirit.

Dez Bryant flails his arms in encouragement at Tony Romo and his offensive coordinator, passionately begging for them to run plays toward him and quoted as saying "that's what we do, we're the best in the league at that" and "they can't stop us".

This is considered a tantrum.

The difference between Tom Brady/Peyton Manning and Dez Bryant is obvious, two of them are clean cut, well spoken men who are future hall of famers, the other is a flashy receiver with an attitude problem and a checkered past. However, if we put this in a social vacuum, and discount all previous accounts of super  bowl greatness, prostitute mothers and illegitimate dinners with the best defensive back in NFL history, are we singing the same song?

Dez has a temper issue, sure. So does Tom Brady, but when he blows up on a receiver who dropped a pass we smile and commend him for his intensity and love for the game. Dez is just what the Cowboys should be asking for, somebody who wants to win more than he wants to go on one more date with Jessica Simpson. Dez is somebody who is more impressive on the field than in a fantasy league, and somebody who doesn't just want-but will perform with- the ball in his hands in the defining moments of a game. Before the tantrum, did you catch the freakish one handed grab with a defender draped all over him? That was one of the few targets he received all game.

Think about it: You, a confident receiver, a freak of nature, a BEAST, are watching one of the only players in this league get double-digit targets and set records in front you, while you're having an average game and aren't getting the respect you deserve. Sucks right? Now add that the guy on the other side just helped his team rip your heart out, and take the game out of your hands. You'd be pretty pissed.

If Tom Brady watches Peyton Manning formulate a game-winning drive while he hasn't so much as touched the ball for an entire quarter, he'd be throwing a water cooler, cursing out a teammate, and divorcing Giselle for another woman to procreate with and divorce.

But he'd be a hero for it.