The reason they have to keep Dez

[erod]

I'm not seeing that. The guy can't beat coverage on a regular basis because he's not a precise route runner.
8 years as the #1 guy, mostly with Romo.
Averaged 66.4 catches on 114.4 targets on average per year. (58%)
Averaged 932 yards, eclipsing 1,000 only 3 times
Averaged 9 TD's per year.

He's an 8 year veteran; he's not going to get better even if a change of scenery or focus here slightly inflates his stats the first year.

Rodgers could back shoulder and high point teams to death with Dez. Better than Romo did.

 

[GORICO]

Some buddies and I were kicking around the Dez situation the other day, and Peter King touched on a point we were making. He added context.

We concluded that the Cowboys have no choice but to keep Dez Bryant. Replacing him in the draft is too hard, and buying their way out of it only compounds the financial albatross of Dez' contract even further.

In the past three years, look at the first-round receivers that were drafted. Virtually every one has been a disappointment so far, except for Amari Cooper.

2015: Amari Cooper, Kevin White, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Breshad Perriman, Phillip Dorsett
2016: Corey Coleman, Will Fuller, Josh Doctson, Lequon Treadwell
2017: Corey Davis, Mike Williams, John Ross

And keep in mind, 2018 is supposed to be a weak draft at receiver.

College football is doing a terrible job of developing wide receivers for the pros, just like so many other positions. Receivers show up completely lost with no idea how professional offenses work. They don't understand how to run routes, how to read defenses, and they aren't used to catching balls in traffic.

I know that sounds like Dez a bit, but he had the knack for catching in traffic from day one.

If they cut Dez, then Cole Beasley or Terrance Williams is the #1 receiver. That is, unless you think tiny Calvin Ridley is going to come in and be a seasoned pro his first year. Eeeek.

erod--Daks completion rate with Dez...50% and 70% to all other receivers...make a play for James Washington from OKL.st....runs a 4.4 ...40 in. vert..weighs 215 and 34 inch arms ( 31 or 32 considered long for receiver )..and catches like a beast in traffic...gets great separation...can do no worse than Dez...but it would save the team north of 10 mil post june 1 cut of Dez and that includes washington salary...that way we keep Hitchens and Irving...and get a solid-great starter in free agency too....i say cut Dez and Crawford for the money and wheel and deal in free agency and hit on draft...Dak played better when Dez is out of game because Dez is in Daks head and Dak forces ball to Dez...ball placement is poor and Dez drops passes too much...Dez no way is worth that kind of salary and we could be a better team without him...Dak always forced ball to Dez to keep him happy.....its gotta stop...more than willing to take chances in draft for receiver and develop chemistry in camp with Dak...Dak wont feel he has to force ball to rookie plus rookie will get more open then Dez cause Dez can only run 3 routes of the 11 in route tree..Dez never developed his route tree when he could have like Fitzgerald did...now Fitz has lost a step but still caught more balls than any other receiver in league...its too late for Dez to develop now...plus Dez cant read defenses well...we need his money to add more quality pieces

I've stated my issues with Dez for a many years, but he's the best option for this team in 2018 at that spot. Keep him, bite hard on the contract, and just hope the running game returns in full force.

 

[Melonfeud]

Yeah, wow, what a way to build a team...we can then go 4-12 and draft a WR in 2019. and still have a lame coaching staff to go 8-8 that year.

,,,er,,,once again, let the RECORD STATE,,,"duly noted"

 

[Chuck 54]

We don't need a fast receiver.
We don't need a tall receiver.
Those are just advantageous traits that can pay dividends now and then, especially in your #2 or #3, and certainly if all other traits are even in the #1, you'd take the taller, faster guy.

What every offense needs desperately, whether it's a WR (Michael Irvin/Anthony Miller) or TE (Novachek/Witten/Tony Gonzalez) is a guy who sees what the QB sees, understands coverages, runs precise routes, uses his body for leverage and to present a target to the QB, and makes all the catches consistently, including those that are contested.

You give a QB that guy, whether he's 6'2" or 5'10", whether he runs a 4.4 or a 4.6, and he will be the go-to guy who moves the chains game after game because he is always in play.

 

[Idgit]

ldgit---my sentiments exactly....Daks completion rate to Dez was 50%...and 70% to all other receivers...Dez in actuality hurts out team...i would make a play for James Washington..runs 4.4 jumps 40 vert..weighs 215 and has 34 inch arms and catches in traffic well....he could do no worse than Dez but save cowboys 11 million post june 1 cut of Dez...that is including what we would pay Washington...use the 11 mil to keep Hitchens and Irving and pay for the whole rookie group and get a solid free agent too....i am back and forth with Dez...maybe he comes back with vengeance or maybe same disconnect between him and Dak?

Yeah, he's lost some deep speed, but overall is a guy who can win contested balls and who can high point a catch like few other players in the league right now. It seems like there ought to be a Larry Fitzgerald role there for Dez. Though Dez doesn't run routes like Larry does, they're sort of similar otherwise. I guess we also have Beasley, though, taking up some of those slot routes.

Anyway, it seems like we should be able to find a way to use him, and I like Dez, like his emotion, and like his commitment to the team. I'd like to keep him around. But if they can't get more return for the money, either the return or the money has to change. It's hurting the Cowboys overall right now.

 

[Aviano90]

Rodgers could back shoulder and high point teams to death with Dez. Better than Romo did.

For some reason people like to believe Dez would be a great fit in Green Bay. He wouldn't. He would be a horrible fit in that system. Their receivers have to be quick studies and learn all 4 receiving positions so they can realign the receivers without much communication. Those are not Dez's strong points. It took him years to learn the playbook here.

 

[Chuck 54]

Yeah, he's lost some deep speed, but overall is a guy who can win contested balls and who can high point a catch like few other players in the league right now. It seems like there ought to be a Larry Fitzgerald role there for Dez. Though Dez doesn't run routes like Larry does, they're sort of similar otherwise. I guess we also have Beasley, though, taking up some of those slot routes.

Anyway, it seems like we should be able to find a way to use him, and I like Dez, like his emotion, and like his commitment to the team. I'd like to keep him around. But if they can't get more return for the money, either the return or the money has to change. It's hurting the Cowboys overall right now.

To me, you guys are describing a #2 when you talk about today's Dez....a slower version of Alvin Harper, but not a guy your QB can depend on regarding his route-running and presenting himself as a viable target after reading the defense correctly. Dez costs too much to be a #2 unless he's paired with someone on a rookie contract for a few years.

 

[noshame]

I am probably one of the biggest Dez supporters I have seen on this board and I am pretty sure I won't be on suicide watch.

It's those that think Dez is the problem that are going to be having a hard time once Dak dissapoints them anyway if Dez is gone.

Dez had a rough year. He did not handle it well. He has to improve mentally and emotionally to see improvements on the field. I don't know if he will but I don't believe his skills have declined to any significant degree. He had a great situation with Romo and had never had to deal with this type of adversity. Will he mature or will he turn into TO who never did? We'll see!

There's just no separation you can't just throw it up and hope he out jumps the defense

 

[Idgit]

To me, you guys are describing a #2 when you talk about today's Dez....a slower version of Alvin Harper, but not a guy your QB can depend on regarding his route-running and presenting himself as a viable target after reading the defense correctly. Dez costs too much to be a #2 unless he's paired with someone on a rookie contract for a few years.

Yeah, I don't like the #1, #2 convention, but his production has diminished for whatever reason. He needs to adjust his contract, or we need to look at other options.

 

[Aven8]

I'm not buying WR's now in college are different. They've always taken time to develop in the pros as every corner is usually way better than anyone they've seen in college.

I agree that we can't cut Dez, but we also can't try to get a WR in the 4th or later as well. He needs to be a player.

The draft after Demarco left we waited and waited and didn't draft one RB. That was an awful plan!

 

[Chuck 54]

James Washington's draft profile:

WEAKNESSES
Rarely challenged by press coverage in Big 12. Exposure to the route tree is limited. Gives away comeback route with more deliberate vertical push in his route. High cut with body type like a running back. Top-heavy frame causes him to roll into breaks rather than sink sharply into them. Footwork inside routes feels clunky and lack of timing. Doesn't have skillset for fluid, complex routes. Lacks short area footwork and suddenness to win underneath against tight man coverage. Not a smooth, easy pass catcher and tends to fight some throws. Has issues finishing contested catches on first and second levels.

This could be totally wrong, but he sounds like another #2 guy who will make some plays for you. We need a real #1 route runner, regardless of speed., in my opinion.

 

[GORICO]

Yeah, he's lost some deep speed, but overall is a guy who can win contested balls and who can high point a catch like few other players in the league right now. It seems like there ought to be a Larry Fitzgerald role there for Dez. Though Dez doesn't run routes like Larry does, they're sort of similar otherwise. I guess we also have Beasley, though, taking up some of those slot routes.

Anyway, it seems like we should be able to find a way to use him, and I like Dez, like his emotion, and like his commitment to the team. I'd like to keep him around. But if they can't get more return for the money, either the return or the money has to change. It's hurting the Cowboys overall right now.

ldgit--- i think Dez emotionally is committed to the team but has not been committed to discipline in honing his craft...and that is what will cause his decline in years ahead

 

[cowboy_ron]

Geez when they cut this guy half the board will be on suicide watch

Tantrum throwing mediocre players with bloated contracts are hard to let go of.

 

[Diehardblues]

Always amazing how we’ll bash Dez talent but defend Daks based on our emotions and attachments. Sounds like Jerry not a hard nosed GM or HC who trys to remain unbiased for the good of the team.

 

[ICP]

Whichever way Dez leaves, if he does, then I really hope they have a plan that is better than T-Will pretending to be a #1

 

[Aviano90]

Whichever way Dez leaves, if he does, then I really hope they have a plan that is better than T-Will pretending to be a #1

This isnt necessarily directed at you, but many feel Dez’s problems are due to the QB issues. Would TWill not be given that same benefit of the doubt? He only had 1 year with Romo and was the clutch receiver with him, especially in the playoffs.

 

[erod]

Always amazing how we’ll bash Dez talent but defend Daks based on our emotions and attachments. Sounds like Jerry not a hard nosed GM or HC who trys to remain unbiased for the good of the team.

Dez is a flawed player.

Dak is a much more flawed player.

 

[erod]

We don't need a fast receiver.
We don't need a tall receiver.
Those are just advantageous traits that can pay dividends now and then, especially in your #2 or #3, and certainly if all other traits are even in the #1, you'd take the taller, faster guy.

What every offense needs desperately, whether it's a WR (Michael Irvin/Anthony Miller) or TE (Novachek/Witten/Tony Gonzalez) is a guy who sees what the QB sees, understands coverages, runs precise routes, uses his body for leverage and to present a target to the QB, and makes all the catches consistently, including those that are contested.

You give a QB that guy, whether he's 6'2" or 5'10", whether he runs a 4.4 or a 4.6, and he will be the go-to guy who moves the chains game after game because he is always in play.

That's all great....if you have a pinpoint accurate QB.

You also need big receivers that can compete for a contested ball.

 

[reddyuta]

I am completely against cutting Dez,there is simply no way we can replace his production even though he skills have declined.no rookie will even put half his numbers even if he was drafted early.the option is a mutually agreed upon pay cut or some kind of incentive deal.

 

[Sandyf]

Have to see what happens in free agency 1st. If Dallas goes after a Sammy Watkins or Allen Robinson then it shouldn't surprise anyone if they cut or trade Dez.