ESPN: Dez is breaking out in second half, eyeing Cowboys history

[Trouty]

After a slow start to the season, Dez Bryant has been flammable as of late.

The Cowboys' deep-threat superstar carried the passing attack Thursday night, catching four of his six targets for 84 yards and a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown. Bryant also caught a 56-yard pass to the Viking's one-yard line in the second quarter, which set up the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Dak Prescott had more success on his six passes to Bryant than he did on his other 12 throws.

Dak Prescott Passing By Target - Thursday

DEZ BRYANT ALL OTHERS
Comp-Att 4-6 8-12
Yards 84 55
First downs 3 3
TD-INT 1-0 0-0

The difference with Bryant over the last month has been noticeable. Prescott has been far better targeting Bryant over the past four games compared to his first five games of the season:

Dak Prescott Targeting Dez Bryant - This Season

FIRST 5 GAMES LAST 4 GAMES
Completion percentage 40.0 67.7
Yards per attempt 7.1 11.4
25-plus yard receptions 1 4
TD 2 4

With his receiving touchdown, Bryant tied Michael Irvin for second place on the Cowboys’ all-time receiving touchdown list, despite playing in 66 fewer games, and is now six away from tying the legendary "Bullet" Bob Hayes for most in franchise history.

Most Career TD Receptions - Cowboys History

GAMES

Bob Hayes 71 128
Dez Bryant 65 93
Michael Irvin 65 159
Jason Witten 62 218

Read more: http://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/...in-seasons-second-half-eyeing-cowboys-history

Is it too early to say, possible path to the HoF for our Dez?

 

[DogFace]

Hard tom imagine some thought we should get rid of him. He's an all time great for this franchise. I'm not sure what some are or aren't seeing.

 

[Trouty]

Hard tom imagine some thought we should get rid of him. He's an all time great for this franchise. I'm not sure what some are or aren't seeing.

Well, they've been awfully quiet lately, Car. Good

(To be fair, his largest critic is on my ignore list, so I don't have to hear his drooling jibberish )

 

[knightrider94]

I was somewhat amused at the shock some had regarding his answers in Thursday's post game interview. To me, that is the same Dez we drafted. Team oriented, no hazing, football family first, wants to win. That's Dez.

Glad he and Prescott and building a strong connection; that will make us more dangerous as he continues to spread the ball around to all of the receivers and rbs. Pick your poison at its finest!

 

[Trouty]

I was somewhat amused at the shock some had regarding his answers in Thursday's post game interview. To me, that is the same Dez we drafted. Team oriented, no hazing, football family first, wants to win. That's Dez.

Glad he and Prescott and building a strong connection; that will make us more dangerous as he continues to spread the ball around to all of the receivers corp and rbs. Pick your poison at its finest!

Dude, Knightrider, same!!! He has shown nothing but that mentaility from the get-go. It's confounding that now people want to act like this is some revelation.

Get real, watch the games and post-game interviews, Dez detractors.

 

[Bill Wooten]

Hard tom imagine some thought we should get rid of him. He's an all time great for this franchise. I'm not sure what some are or aren't seeing.

But he bought a monkey! And did you see that rental house?

 

[willia451]

I was somewhat amused at the shock some had regarding his answers in Thursday's post game interview. To me, that is the same Dez we drafted. Team oriented, no hazing, football family first, wants to win. That's Dez.

Glad he and Prescott and building a strong connection; that will make us more dangerous as he continues to spread the ball around to all of the receivers and rbs. Pick your poison at its finest!

Yep. Amazing what winning 11 straight and getting more targets will do for your mood.

 

[Trouty]

Yep. Amazing what winning 11 straight and getting more targets will do for your mood.

He's always been elite, but I'm gonna give you a "like" because your post is just vague enough for me to not tell if this is a dig, or, simply, a passive observation (albeit a correct one, @willia451)

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Dez is the same guy that caught 16 TD's two seasons ago. Had a few injury set backs and adjusting to a new QB... good to see him getting his swagger back. He's such an impactful force emotionally. The fun is He and Dak are just getting started with their potential moving forward.

 

[AmericasTeam81]

Dezatron is back!

 

[CATCH17]

I still have some of some of the same complaints about how we use Dez.

I wish we would just simply get the ball in his hands more. We've never taken advantage of of his immense RAC ability.


Also, I want him worked into punt return duties for the playoffs.

He's a great punt return guy and every play in the playoffs matters.

 

[ShiningStar]

I think Dez is a good WR and im glad we have him. Is he elite, idk, anyone can make any case if they try hard enough. I think there are a few better than him, but i dont know if thats system or desperate teams. I would still send Denver a flower basket for passing on him. I just dont know if hes as elite as the rest of the pack, thats opinion, not fact.

 

[CATCH17]

I think Dez is a good WR and im glad we have him. Is he elite, idk, anyone can make any case if they try hard enough. I think there are a few better than him, but i dont know if thats system or desperate teams. I would still send Denver a flower basket for passing on him. I just dont know if hes as elite as the rest of the pack, thats opinion, not fact.

I just can't see any WR in the NFL putting up ridiculous numbers in our offense.

The fact he scores TDs at the rate he does is pretty incredible considering the volume.

 

[AmericasTeam81]

I hope like hell Dez is the main punt returner in the playoffs.

 

[Trouty]

I hope like hell Dez is the main punt returner in the playoffs.

Wut?

 

[Trouty]

I think Dez is a good WR and im glad we have him. Is he elite, idk, anyone can make any case if they try hard enough. I think there are a few better than him, but i dont know if thats system or desperate teams. I would still send Denver a flower basket for passing on him. I just dont know if hes as elite as the rest of the pack, thats opinion, not fact.

It's fair and constructive, your critique. Others should take note. I don't agree, but Star, this is a very fair post (for whatever that's worth, coming from me).

Thanks for being tactful in assessing our Dez through your lense

 

[Trouty]

No one here has broached the very last part of the OP...

Possible path to the HoF for 88?

 

[Bullflop]

After a slow start to the season, Dez Bryant has been flammable as of late.

The Cowboys' deep-threat superstar carried the passing attack Thursday night, catching four of his six targets for 84 yards and a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown. Bryant also caught a 56-yard pass to the Viking's one-yard line in the second quarter, which set up the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Dak Prescott had more success on his six passes to Bryant than he did on his other 12 throws.

Dak Prescott Passing By Target - Thursday

DEZ BRYANT ALL OTHERS
Comp-Att 4-6 8-12
Yards 84 55
First downs 3 3
TD-INT 1-0 0-0

The difference with Bryant over the last month has been noticeable. Prescott has been far better targeting Bryant over the past four games compared to his first five games of the season:

Dak Prescott Targeting Dez Bryant - This Season

FIRST 5 GAMES LAST 4 GAMES
Completion percentage 40.0 67.7
Yards per attempt 7.1 11.4
25-plus yard receptions 1 4
TD 2 4

With his receiving touchdown, Bryant tied Michael Irvin for second place on the Cowboys’ all-time receiving touchdown list, despite playing in 66 fewer games, and is now six away from tying the legendary "Bullet" Bob Hayes for most in franchise history.

Most Career TD Receptions - Cowboys History

GAMES

Bob Hayes 71 128
Dez Bryant 65 93
Michael Irvin 65 159
Jason Witten 62 218

Read more: http://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/...in-seasons-second-half-eyeing-cowboys-history

Is it too early to say, possible path to the HoF for our Dez?

Very well considered OP, there, Trouty -- Dez is definitely enjoying a resurgence of his dominant ways this season. It excites me to see him return to his ultra-productive ways at this fairly advanced stage of his career. Here's hoping his newfound health keeps serving him well.

 

[ShiningStar]

It's fair and constructive, your critique. Others should take note. I don't agree, but Star, this is a very fair post (for whatever that's worth, coming from me).

Thanks for being tactful in assessing our Dez through your lense

I could be very wrong, but i chat with you because you are respectful ad fun

 

[knightrider94]

He's always been elite, but I'm gonna give you a "like" because your post is just vague enough for me to not tell if this is a dig, or, simply, a passive observation (albeit a correct one, @willia451)

I think it was a dig. So no likes from me!

I've never heard any reports about Dez complaining about targets. That was a TO/Patrick Crayton thing.