Animated receiver Bryant fit for Cartoon Network

<p>SAN FRANCISCO - It was the third quarter and the score was tied, 10-10, and the 49ers had just changed the play. Quarterback Alex Smith relayed the change to the players in the huddle, and wide receiver Antonio Bryant announced: “Meet me in the end zone.”</p><p>Meet Antonio Bryant. He is a borderline wild man. Even he says about himself: “I’m colorful.” The minute he heard the play call, he knew he could score. It had something to do with the Niners loading the right side with receivers and the Rams not having enough defenders. Smith dropped back and Bryant ran right, ran past the defense, and he caught the ball and scored. </p><p>And here’s the funny thing. All the offensive linemen were laughing, and Smith, who hadn’t heard what Bryant said, asked what was so funny. They said Bryant had said “meet me in the end zone,” and then he did it. Then Smith broke up, too. Meet me in the end zone. What a line, a takeoff on what defensive ends say. Meet me at the quarterback.</p><p>The pass play went for 72 yards, and it put the 49ers ahead to stay. And it shows, although the Niners are not a great team, probably not a very good team, they are more talented than anyone thought and they play hard and they will not be the patsy in their division.</p><p>Let’s be honest about Bryant. His behavior during games is borderline, on the cusp of Terrell Owensness. Did you get a look at him Sunday? Whenever Smith threw a pass to him but missed, he waved his arms in moral outrage. Or if he was open and Smith didn’t throw to him, he waved and jumped around like somebody with a hotfoot. That’s known as showing up the quarterback and, honestly, he walks a very dangerous line. But, there’s a difference between Bryant and T.O.</p><p>Bryant is relatively rational once the game ends, but T.O. is still the maniac he was on the field. Bryant regains perspective, while Owens is incapable of perspective. He does not live in a Copernican universe. He lives in an Owensian universe.</p><p>After the game, Bryant sat by his locker talking. He talks. He is so full of pent-up energy, he needs to talk just to feel normal. Here is a sample of Bryant caught in the act of talking.</p><p>Question: “Antonio, can this team make the playoffs?”</p><p>Answer: “To have you ask that question is almost an insult.” He turned to Arnaz Battle. “Arnaz, what are we trying to do out there?”</p><p>“We try to win,” Battle said on cue.</p><p>“Every day, we work to win,” Bryant said, almost levitating and flying around the room.</p><p>Bryant on himself: “I’m very animated. I’d be the best cartoon character in here if this was a cartoon.” (Last year it was.)</p><p>More Bryant on Bryant.</p><p>“I vent. That doesn’t mean I’m negative. I’m getting a load off. When Alex comes to the sideline, he’s usually talking to the coaches, and I need to vent so I talk to Trent (Dilfer). Me and Trent were together with Cleveland, so it’s real normal for me to go to him because he was my quarterback there.”</p><p>Oh, Dilfer. This you should know. Bryant feels comfortable with him. Good thing. He tells Dilfer what’s bothering him about Smith. He knows Dilfer will convey his thoughts to Smith in a way that won’t offend. And vice versa. If Dilfer doesn’t throw a pass this season, he’s earning his money by keeping Smith from murdering Bryant, or maybe it’s the other way around.</p><p>And here’s the best Bryantism of all.</p><p>“Nothing calms me down. (After the game,) I’ve got to ride by myself and turn on oldies and do the vocals.”</p><p>Chuck Berry? Little Anthony and the Imperials? The Shirelles? Sunday night, he had plenty to sing about. The Niners had won a game, and he and Alex Smith were still friends.</p>