Dallas Cowboys await Dez Bryant’s return to greatness

Dallas Cowboys with a healthy Dez Bryant are ready to have a 1,000 yard receiver and a 1,000 yard running back combination for the first time since 2014.

This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys focused on improving the defense. I believe it’ll be possible for the Cowboys to play better on offense too. Specifically, I’ll be watching this group of receivers that have been unchanged since 2013.

Even though the role players stepped up, they haven’t had a statistical double threat since 2014. That’s when former quarterback Tony Romo tossed receiver Dez Bryant 88 passes that turned into 1,320 yards.

Dez Bryant’s 2015 season earned him a 5 year, $70 million dollar contract. The double threat that we should watch for is a 1,000 yard receiver and a 1,000 yard running back. You’ll have a hard time finding anybody that doesn’t believe running back Ezekiel Elliott will have 1,000 rushing yards.

Elliott will probably exceed that total by Week 10. I’m prepared to hear the arguments that we’re a running team. I say – not so fast! – the Cowboys had 499 rushing attempts, but also 483 passing attempts.

I like the offensive run / pass balanced numbers, but in a passing league those 483 passing attempts ranked the Cowboys 30^th. The Cowboys averaged 230.7 passing yards per game and that placed them 20^th, just a notch below the Jacksonville Jaguars who averaged 233 passing yards per game. Personally, anytime that I find a stat that places us beneath the Jaguars, there’s room for improvement.

In 2014 and 2016, the Cowboys featured a powerful rushing attack that produced the NFL’s leading rusher. The difference between Ezekiel Elliott and DeMarco Murray back in 2014 is their role in the passing game. Elliott was targeted 39 times for 363 yards. Murray received 64 targets for 417 yards. I look for Elliott to do more as a receiver.

Romo was able to use his accuracy, arm strength and experience to target Bryant and establish him as the ultimate receiving threat. Under Prescott, the Cowboys have spread the ball around with three receivers getting 90+ targets.

Next: 10 ways Dallas Cowboys fans can prepare for the 2017 season

After two years of subpar performances due to injuries, it will be nice to see our best outside receiver return to being our leading receiver. With any luck, we’ll have two 1,000 yard receivers like Romo’s 2012 season.

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