EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. _ Browns general manager John Dorsey said former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant left him hanging.
Bryant heard the message loud and clear and announced he'll visit the Browns next week.
On Thursday, before the Browns faced the New York Giants in the preseason opener, Dorsey revealed Bryant, considered the top free-agent receiver on the open market, hadn't returned his phone calls.
After Dorsey's comments were distributed on Twitter by Browns beat writers, Bryant tweeted he would be bound for Cleveland.
"Starting my visits next week ... I'm coming to the Land to see you Mr Dorsey," Bryant wrote on Twitter.
As Dorsey sat in the press box at MetLife Stadium and became aware of Bryant's tweet in the second quarter, the GM quipped, "My phone's not ringing."
Prior to the game, Dorsey said the Browns will work out a group of receivers next week.
Asked if Bryant will be among those auditioning, Dorsey replied, "If he returns a phone call, it may be. But he doesn't return any phone calls."
Browns receiver Jarvis Landry lobbied Wednesday on Twitter for Bryant to join Cleveland.
It happened after Bryant, whom the Cowboys cut in April, took to Twitter to compliment Landry for his impassioned speech on the premiere of Hard Knocks.
"Yea Juice!!!!.. gave me chills man!!! I love this @God _ Son80," Bryant tweeted.
Landry responded by tweeting, "Ride With Me @DezBryant."
Told Bryant, 29, had been in correspondence with Landry, Dorsey said, "I'm sure they did. He won't return the general manager's (call)."
When a reporter pointed out that's not a good sign, Dorsey said, "Maybe (Bryant is) still thinking about other stuff."
Bryant weighed in via Twitter almost immediately after Dorsey's quotes surfaced online.
"I'm going to play...just whenever I get ready... I'm not on anybody time...I'm still getting myself ready...if you disagree go to hell," Bryant tweeted.
Bryant, a three-time Pro Bowler, later responded to someone who tweeted "bosses don't make moves out of desperation" with the following tweet: "For real... I wouldn't mind playing for the browns. I just want to be right first."
So is Dorsey still open to the possibility of signing Bryant, an option the GM first publicly mentioned July 25, the day before training camp opened?
"I'd be open to anything if it's proper," Dorsey said. "I'm just going to measure that on a case-by-case basis and see what happens when the guys come in next week."
Dorsey pointed out he does his due diligence with every position.
"We're going to bring in some receivers next week and work them out, and this was pre-planned two weeks because we wanted to see going through preseason game No. 1," Dorsey said. "Then we were going to bring that group of receivers in here, just kind of see what we have here, and it'll be a mixture of veterans and some young guys."
And Bryant promised to be there.
