News: BTB: Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: "Dez Bryant Will Lead The League In Receiving This Year."

NewsBot · Aug 27, 2013

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"Dez Bryant will lead the league in receiving this season." - CBSSports.com
Pat Kirwan offers up nine bold predictions for the 2013 NFL season, including this one about Bryant:

"Dez Bryant will lead the NFL in receiving this season instead of Calvin Johnson. Bryant has improved every season in targets, receptions and touchdowns. Last year he had 92 receptions and 12 touchdowns, and this season looks better for Bryant because the Lions will spread the ball around more, meaning Johnson will be targeted less. Megatron still cracks the 100-catch mark, but Bryant gets the edge here."

Dez Bryant's approach: Little talk, lots of production - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas
MacMahon calls Dez Bryant "the most talented receiver to ever wear a Cowboys uniform," and you'll come away feeling all warm and fuzzy after reading this article.

NFL Over/Under Expert Picks: Cowboys & Eagles win totals - CBSSports.com
Seven CBSSports writers provide their assessment of a number of headline-generating topics, among them the Cowboys and Eagles win totals in 2013: Six of the seven panelists don't see the Eagles with a losing record; four of the seven panelists like the Cowboys for more than 8.5 wins.

The Dollars And Sense Of The Cowboys Releasing Jay Ratliff - Mike Fisher, CBS DFW
Many observers are growing impatient with Jay Ratliff and wondering whether it's time to part ways with the defensive tackle. Fisher argues that it makes no financial sense to release Ratliff now, but that may change drastically in 2014.

Beasley wishes he had more preseason games to prove himself to Cowboys again - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
It's usually a good sign when veteran players are worried about losing their spots.

Scout's Notebook: Evaluating Parnell's Play; Cohen Could Fit - Bryan Broaddus, DallasCowboys.com
Broaddus offers a sweeping look at various roster spots. In summary, Broaddus thinks Parnell doesn't look as good as last year, Landon Cohen has outplayed Sean Lissemore, it might be too late for Kowalski to make the roster, and Micah Pellerin may have outplayed Sterling Moore for the fifth CB spot.

Terrance Williams' blocking noticed - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Despite getting called for a holding penalty, Garrett liked what he saw from the rookie wide receiver.

"He’s a tough guy, and he’s a willing guy," coach Jason Garrett said. "And that was the scouting report coming out of school and that’s what we’ve seen from him. It’s important to him and he knows what his role is on every play, and he tries to get it done. On some of that stuff the receiver’s block is critical, and I thought he did a good job of coming back from the penalty."

Bubble Watch: Jeff Heath - Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas
Rookie safety Jeff Heath has been turning heads over the last couple of weeks, and might be the latest Cowboy to go from camp body to member of the 53-man roster, writes Archer. Heath has been running with the first special teams unit, which should be a good sign for the Division II prospect.

Injury Updates

Hatcher confident he'll be '100 percent' vs. Giants - Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas
Garrett said Hatcher's groin injury isn't "too serious", and that the added rest time for starters this week should help improve team health. Hatcher agrees:

"I’m very confident I’ll be ready 100 percent when New York comes," Hatcher said. "I’m feeling good, man. Just being smart about it. Get ready for New York. Take a few days off and let it calm down a little bit."

Spencer says he plans to practice full-speed next week and be ready for Giants - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
Spencer acknowledges that he may not be in top condition for the opener, but believes he'll be ready to play some snaps against the Giants.

"I have never struggled with conditioning in the NFL," he said. "I work hard, and I get in condition pretty quickly. Regardless, I won’t be in top condition for the opener. I will be good for the first 10, 15 plays."

"I’m able to run now," he said. "I feel a lot better. I’m more hopeful that I will be ready for the game."

Practice Report: Claiborne, Beasley, Sims Return - David Helman, DallasCowboys.com
Morris Claiborne, Ernie Sims and Cole Beasley rejoined team practice yesterday.

Practice rundown: Bernadeau, Hatcher missing; Spencer, Ratliff still out - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
The Cowboys resumed practice today. Missing: Brandon Magee, Matt Johnson, Eric Frampton, Danny McCray, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Cook and the four guys in the title of the article.

Around the East

Eagles' search for safety continues - ESPN
Phil Sheridan writes that for a team that once prided itself on its dominating safeties, the roll call of the current safetes is depressing.

For Eagles fans.

Philly's Danny Watkins on the roster bubble with cuts approaching - SI.com
Chris Burke offers a rundown of former draft pundit favorites who may not survive cuts this year, among them the Eagles' Watkins:

"A first-round pick in the 2011 draft, Watkins played his way out of Andy Reid’s lineup last season and has struggled to really claim a role in Chip Kelly’s attack this summer. Watkins may get one more shot to prove his worth in the Eagles’ preseason finale, but he is definitely treading on thin ice at this point."

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has been activated from the physically unable to perform list by the New York Giants - FOX Sports
The Giants activated Jason Pierre-Paul from the physically unable to perform list yesterday.

''I'm not playing any preseason games and I don't even know about the Dallas game,'' Pierre-Paul said. "I just want try to get better and test it out and see how it is taking on double teams and all that. Right now, there's nothing to be said about whether I'm going to play come the opener.''

Commanders CB Crawford out for season; faces a nine-month recovery - CSNWashington
Crawford tore his ACL, LCL and MCL during Saturday’s game and faces a nine-month recovery. Crawford had been poised to be Washington's top punt returner and fifth cornerback.

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News: BTB: Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: "Dez Bryant Will Lead The League In Receiving This Year."

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