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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee fired back at free agent receiver Dez Bryant on Friday after his former teammate called him a ”snake” on Twitter while suggesting Lee played a role in the club’s decision to release its career leader in touchdown catches.

The exchange was prompted by a radio station’s tweet from an interview with executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones. He suggested that quarterback Dak Prescott felt pressure to get the ball to Bryant.

”First thing Mike Remmers Jersey , to say that I can get anybody off the team and have any input on a roster is absurd,” Lee said. ”The second thing, I love Dez and I want the best for him.

”You know, to be honest, we did butt heads, because I wanted Dez to be more accountable to this team and his teammates. To be honest with you, a lot of the team felt that way. I think he needs to look at himself and hold himself accountable.”

In an expletive-laden response to the radio station’s tweet, Bryant criticized the team’s play-calling. A second tweet suggested ”my brother snake Lee I mean Sean Lee” and center Travis Frederick had a hand in the decision to release Bryant.

Frederick said it wasn’t reasonable to think a fifth-year player Doug Flutie Jersey , which he is, could wield influence on roster decisions.

”It’s certainly disappointing,” Frederick said. ”It’s disappointing when you hear guys turn against each other, but I think in the end Dez was a great teammate of mine and I’d still consider him a friend.”

The radio station’s original tweet didn’t include all of Jones’ quote, leaving out a portion that made a reference to tight end Jason Witten. The club’s leader in catches and games retired after 15 seasons to go into broadcasting. The station sent a subsequent tweet with the portion about Witten.

”He’s gotta trust the system, which at times last year, there was pressure, with Dez in his ear and to some degree Jason in his ear Jim Otto Jersey ,” Jones said in the radio interview. ”Those great players want the ball.”

Later, Jones said he didn’t intend to criticize Bryant.

”You got great players like Dez and Witten, they want the ball,” Jones said at Cowboys camp. ”Everybody sees it. It’s on every team. They let the quarterback know that sometimes. In no way was it intended to be negative.”

Jones wouldn’t discuss whether the front office solicited the opinions of players before releasing Bryant in April. Owner Jerry Jones said then, ”We arrived at this crossroad collectively with input from several voices within the organization.”

The owner’s comments prompted a reply on twitter from Bryant, who wrote that was ”something he already knew.” In interviews later that day, Bryant suggested that team captains and ”Garrett guys,” in reference to coach Jason Garrett Jordan Phillips Jersey , played a role in his release.

After seeing reports of Lee’s response Friday, Bryant wrote on Twitter, ”he sat right across from me.. everything he said he could have addressed with me…sounds like a back stabber to me.”

Bryant’s release came after three sub-par seasons following the $70, five-year contract he signed after his only All-Pro season in 2014. Cleveland has shown interest in signing him in recent days.

Stephen Jones said he believes Bryant knows the Cowboys still have positive feelings for the three-time Pro Bowl player. Bryant’s 73 touchdowns are two more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.

”Obviously these are tough times in terms how this has turned out,” Stephen Jones said. ”Dez is thinking about his future and certainly not easy on anybody. No one knows more about what I think of Dez than me.”

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The Carolina Panthers wasted little time naming a new defensive coordinator after Steve Wilks left to become head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera promoted defensive line coach Eric Washington as Wilks’ replacement on Monday, just hours after the hiring of Wilks became official. Rivera said after the season that had a hunch Wilks would get a head coaching job, and was prepared in the event that it happened.

Wilks’ departure means the Panthers will enter next season with three new coordinators.

Rivera fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula two days after the season and replaced him with Norv Turner. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was replaced by former assistant coach Chase Blackburn. McGaughey’s contract was up and he wanted to pursue other options.

It’s the second straight season the Panthers have lost a defensive coordinator to a head coaching gig.

Last year the Buffalo Bills hired Sean McDermott as their new head coach.

It’s expected that Wilks will take a few current Carolina assistants with him, including linebackers coach Al Holcomb and assistant offensive line coach Ray Brown.

Washington has served as the Panthers defensive line coach for the past seven seasons. During that span the Panthers defensive line has recorded more sacks (219) than any team in the NFL.

Washington’s defensive line has not only been productive in getting to the quarterback Jordy Nelson Jersey , but also fared well against the run. Carolina has ranked in the top six in the NFL in four of the past six seasons in run defense, including a No. 2 ranking in 2013.

Under Washington, the Panthers defensive line has featured two All-Pro selections and two Pro Bowl selections. Since 2013, a Panthers defensive lineman has earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week three times and NFC Defensive Player of the Month twice.

The Panthers defense has finished in the top 10 in defense five of the last six seasons, including four consecutive from 2012-15. Washington has been a part of a Carolina coaching staff that has led the Panthers to playoff appearances in four of the past five seasons, including a Super Bowl 50 appearance two seasons ago.

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