News: ESPN: Cowboys need Dak Prescott-to-Dez Bryant connection to heat up fast

[Tass]

When asked about getting Dez the ball, didn't Dak say something last year to the effect of "I'll throw it to whomever is open".

That seemed to work. Why change it? I seem to remember our offense humming right along while Dez was out injured.

 

[jday]

Dak led the NFL in passer rating on 15+ yard targets last year, but that wasn't mostly because of his targets to Dez. If you look at Dak's 15+ yard targets, you'll see that most of the success has been with guys other than Dez.

2016
Bryant 36 tgt 15 rec 400 yd 4 td 1 int 108.5
others 42 tgt 22 rec 567 yd 5 td 0 int 137.4

And if you look around at other teams with an elite WR the last few years, you'll see that this isn't the norm.

Lions 2011-13
Johnson 103.0
others 82.5

Broncos 2012-14
Thomas 112.5
others 101.8

Giants 2014-16
Beckham 100.3
others 70.5

Falcons 2014-16
Jones 102.4
others 81.6

Steelers 2014-16
Brown 106.3
others 93.3

Therein is the Cowboys offensive salvation. The problem is not their connection. The problem is the number of targets to Dez in relation to all of Dak's weapons. Why? Because if the opposition has a corner that matches up well with Dez, all they have to do is alternate doubling his other targets while Dez struggles to gain separation that Dak is comfortable throwing in. They have to get every weapon involved; not just one.

 

[Gameover]

I think we'd be better off if Dez went down for the season.

Exactly

Give Butler and Brown a shot

 

[noshame]

Dak led the NFL in passer rating on 15+ yard targets last year, but that wasn't mostly because of his targets to Dez. If you look at Dak's 15+ yard targets, you'll see that most of the success has been with guys other than Dez.

2016
Bryant 36 tgt 15 rec 400 yd 4 td 1 int 108.5
others 42 tgt 22 rec 567 yd 5 td 0 int 137.4

And if you look around at other teams with an elite WR the last few years, you'll see that this isn't the norm.

Lions 2011-13
Johnson 103.0
others 82.5

Broncos 2012-14
Thomas 112.5
others 101.8

Giants 2014-16
Beckham 100.3
others 70.5

Falcons 2014-16
Jones 102.4
others 81.6

Steelers 2014-16
Brown 106.3
others 93.3

Thanks Percy I was dreading having to look this up

 

[Section446]

Lol. Wow. Yeah then they can double Williams. And let's us beat them with Witten and beasley while killing our run game. Great idea.

Nobody is doubling Dez right now, you don't have to, he doesn't scare anyone.

 

[Stash]

Dak needs to stop forcing the ball to Dez.

The Cowboys have enough weapons.

Spread the ball around and tell Dez he needs to get open to get the ball.

This.

All day this.

They don't "need" anything from Dez. He's playing against top corners that he's been unable to beat. Stop banging your head against the wall forcing the ball to him and look elsewhere. He'll get open at some point, then he should get the ball.

But anyone paying attention can see what forcing the ball to him on Sunday got them.

 

[phildadon86]

Nobody is doubling Dez right now, you don't have to, he doesn't scare anyone.

Really? Tell that to the giants who doubled him and even tripled him at times. Broncos have best secondary in the NFL so they are a wash. But please don't tell me he's never doubled

 

[Section446]

Really? Tell that to the giants who doubled him and even tripled him at times. Broncos have best secondary in the NFL so they are a wash. But please don't tell me he's never doubled

You're wrong.

 

[phildadon86]

You're wrong.

K. And you're obviously pushing your own agenda. His routes and coverage were posted here after the giants game. He's was in single coverage obviously at points but was doubled and sometimes even tripled at times. So please. Stop. You sound ridiculous

 

[T-RO]

Dez is a TD machine but doesn't help getting yards in between the 20s. That is the biggest issue facing the team right now.

That's a frequent narrative. And I get it.

But I swear we throw it to Dez 200 times per year in the red zone. Most of them are incomplete.

 

[T-RO]

K. And you're obviously pushing your own agenda. His routes and coverage were posted here after the giants game. He's was in single coverage obviously at points but was doubled and sometimes even tripled at times. So please. Stop. You sound ridiculous

You sound like the one with an agenda. Dez gets a ton of single coverage. When you see two or three defenders in the vicinity its because of a zone defense with guys converging.

 

[DandyDon52]

I don't see this as a winning formula.

The offense needs to diversify and Prescott needs to stop focusing in on Bryant. He needs to take what is given, not sit there trying to force Bryant into a focal role.

He is not that kind of QB, nor is he that kind of receiver.

Exactly!
Don't force it to any wr, take what is open.

 

[DandyDon52]

This.

All day this.

They don't "need" anything from Dez. He's playing against top corners that he's been unable to beat. Stop banging your head against the wall forcing the ball to him and look elsewhere. He'll get open at some point, then he should get the ball.

But anyone paying attention can see what forcing the ball to him on Sunday got them.

That is true.
I will say this Romo knew how to throw the ball to Dez get it up in the air and let it come down and Dez would jump up and make the catch in the red zone.
dak doesn't seem to be able to do that.

the other thing is that little fade Romo you would throw in the endzone dak doesn't seem to be able to do that either.
so without Romo Dez is no longer as effective as a receiver.

 

[xwalker]

I don't see this as a winning formula.

The offense needs to diversify and Prescott needs to stop focusing in on Bryant. He needs to take what is given, not sit there trying to force Bryant into a focal role.

He is not that kind of QB, nor is he that kind of receiver.

Bench Dez. Replace him with Switzer.

 

[xwalker]

I have no issues with Dak at this time after 18 games other than playing Denver last week. Im not sure we could have hoped for a QB to play any better than he has.

He was looking for open receivers most of the game.

Both INTs were the fault of Dez.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Cowboys need Dak Prescott-to-Dez Bryant connection to heat up fast

Continue reading...

Quite a revelation.
Jiminey, didn't see tha one coming, lads!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I don't see this as a winning formula.

The offense needs to diversify and Prescott needs to stop focusing in on Bryant. He needs to take what is given, not sit there trying to force Bryant into a focal role.

He is not that kind of QB, nor is he that kind of receiver.

Dez would be a part of your diversity. If Dez can emerge from his ... almost adequate play.
Old fellow, you seem quite spooked. Relax. Visit the pub and have a HobNob and Irish crisps and tea, on me tab. Cheers, and, all we are saying is give Dez a chance.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

How about use the wr drafted in the 4th round, who was to be a compliment to Beasley? But no, they won't use him.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I think we'd be better off if Dez went down for the season.

So teams can now put their best corners on TWill and Beasley instead?

 

[lukin2006]

They do not need Dez and Dak to connect, Dak needs to go to his other receivers more often...Dak is nothing more than a number 2 receiver at best anymore...