Should the Dallas Cowboys blame Dez Bryant for missing playoffs?
The Dallas Cowboys have managed to devalue the wide receiver position. Don’t focus on Dez Bryant when Terrance Williams hasn’t had a touchdown this season.
I’ll be the first to admit that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant isn’t without football flaws. Bryant is one reason our former quarterback, the great Tony Romo was retired without a Super Bowl ring. If you thing Bryant is selfish, then we have to talk about “The Catch”.
As Romo effortlessly marched the Cowboys downfield against the Green Bay Packers, our Cowboys found themselves with a 4th and 2 at the Packers 32 yard line. Allow that to sink in – it was 4th and 2 in January on the frozen tundra (in my dramatic voice). With the wind swirling and gusting and the NFL’s leading rusher DeMarco Murray in the backfield, plus the best offensive line in football – the Cowboys break the huddle.
Our ultra-conservative head coach Jason Garrett – that everyone now wants fired – stood on the sideline and clapped on an elite level. Meanwhile, Romo took the snap and launched a perfect pass 30 yards down the sideline. Bryant caught the ball but failed to secure it to his chest and fall down.
Instead, Bryant’s desperation to throw up the X eliminated his situational awareness. To me, Dez’s goal line lunge was an enormous act of selfishness. Others feel Bryant was a football player doing what a football player does. We can debate that in the comments.
That still remains the only time that I’ve ever felt Dez Bryant put himself above the team. Against the Seattle Seahawks, having the ball punched out was a great defensive football play that our players should utilize more.
We can’t criticize Bryant for attempting to do more at that moment. Bryant is a playmaker that isn’t allowed to make plays due to the poor play of his inaccurate quarterback Dak Prescott. In basketball terms, it’s like Kobe Bryant only getting 3 shots per game.
Garrett’s offensive system – the Air Coryell – with Romo in charge made Bryant a 1300+ yard receiver with 16 touchdowns, while having the NFL’s leading rusher. With Prescott, our wide receivers have decreased production across the board.
Cole Beasley‘s production went from 75 receptions and 833 yards to 36 receptions and 314 yards. Terrance Williams hasn’t had a touchdown this season – did you notice that? Somehow, the Cowboys have managed to devalue the wide receiver position and elevate the running backs and tight end.
I’m not sure why we even have receivers when Prescott doesn’t take advantage of man to man coverage. Defensive secondaries simply aren’t threatened by Prescott’s arm. They are more concerned of him scrambling out of the pocket or executing the read action with running back Ezekiel Elliott.
I don’t know if it’s Prescott changing the play or offensive coordinator Scott Linehan calling passing plays. There are moments we abandon the run as if the goal is to promote Prescott’s greatness at throwing three yard passes for pick 6’s. Cowboy Nation shouldn’t blame that on Bryant. It’s impossible to be an elite receiver without catchable passes. Remember life with quarterback Matt Cassel?
In other words, Bryant can only run the routes. Why should he take a pay cut because Prescott can’t get him the football? Are we going to ask Prescott for a refund too? Jump balls and back shoulder fade passes to Bryant used to be automatic in the red zone. If Prescott isn’t trusted to do that, then he won’t throw a 30-yard dart on 4th and 2.
Yet, I feel like I’m the only person not surprised by this development. I told Cowboy Nation to lower their expectations for Bryant. I mentioned that any drop in production by Bryant would have Cowboy Nation demanding he take a pay cut. That’s three articles where my favorite writer accurately predicted the future.
All of the focus on Bryant’s salary and performance is inspiring me to make another bold prediction. Rookie quarterback Cooper Rush is going to inspire a quarterback controversy when he plays. With nothing to lose, Rush will let it fly and every receiver will have 125+ yards and two touchdowns. Finally, when it’s 3rd and 6, Rush won’t throw a 3 yard pass.
Next: 5 moves to fix the Cowboys Wide Receiver corps
I’m not saying Rush will top Kellen Moore on my Quarterback Scale of Awesomeness, but this last game will be fun to watch.
#GoCowboys