I don’t think for a minute that Sean Payton and Drew Brees would have added Bryant unless they had a plan for him.
Dez Bryant was the best wide receiver tagged in the 2010 NFL draft. The Dallas Cowboys drafted the stud receiver from Oklahoma State with the 24th pick in the 1st Round. The only other wideout to be drafted in the first round was Demaryius Thomas (by the Broncos two picks before Dez).
Courtesy: Footbology.com
Bryant was given uniform #88. Would he follow in the footsteps of other Cowboy greats to wear that jersey number, like Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin? Things were certainly headed in that direction as Dez busted on the scene and made three Pro Bowls.
Between 2012-’14, Dez Bryant was a top-tier wide receiver with over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns in each of those seasons. But then Dez got bit by the injury bug and he hasn’t been the same since.
Today, he’s being given a second chance with the New Orlean Saints–a team with one of the best locker rooms in the NFL, n0t to mention a contender for the Super Bowl.
When I learned Dez was finished in Dallas, I thought the New England Patriots would grab him–doing with him what they had done with Randy Moss. But the Pats decided to do another reconstruction project, this time with Josh Gordon. As expected, Josh is fitting in just fine with Tom Brady and Company.
I believe Dez can be just as great in New Orleans.
For as potent and high scoring as is the Saints offense, they have lacked a solid #2 receiver– even a high-grade #3 receiver–who can line up in the slot and take advantage of linebackers and safeties.
The Saints are a Class A organization and Dez will need to fall in line if he wants to remain in the League. Let’s face it: it wasn’t like teams were knocking at his door or blowing up his cell phone. And that makes you wonder why? Could it be because he has displayed attitude problems, including being outspoken about in-house issues? If so, that could be a major reason for lack of interest.
Amari Cooper (photo, ESPN.com)
The fact is that the Cowboys had one of the worst wide receiving groups in the NFL until Amari Cooper was traded from Oakland to Dallas in exchange for a first-round pick.
So the Cowboys were willing to let Dez go, insert Cole Beasley as their #1 WR, and spend a first-round draft pick to get Cooper, a player who’s coming off his worst season. Those moves tell me that something bigger is happening in the heart of Texas.
Apparently, though, the Saints know something we don’t. They believe the team can get legitimate use out of this former first-team All-Pro.
It took Dez Bryant from April (when he was released) to now to find a home–a place to resurrect his career at age 30. Time will tell whether it was worth signing Dez to a one-year contract.
