Is Dez a bigger team problem than some are willing to admit?

[Yakuza Rich]

I don't think they were force feeding him at all. He was open plenty of times and Dak couldn't deliver the ball to him. When he did, he made a HUGE touchdown.

I think the offense has to get used to him because Dak works better with combo routes which is what they were doing w/o Dez. Dez's route tree requires more anticipation and Dak isn't at that level of anticipation, yet. I bet once All-22 comes out we'll see Dez running a lot of go routes with bracket coverage. It would explain not only why Dez didn't get many looks, but why Witten was open all game long.



YR

 

[big dog cowboy]

But, do you guys feel the team is a little worse off as a result? Anyone have any thoughts?

Worse off with Dez? Seriously? Uh, no.

My thoughts are you're looking for something negative when you should be happy at 7-1.

 

[yimyammer]

Hey, OP, here's a pretty good read that nearly everyone on the Zone read earlier this week that should give some insight to the type of teammate Dez Bryant is in Dallas:

http://www.scout.com/nfl/cowboys/story/1721562-cowboys-secret-dez-witten-on-all-smiles

great article, I hadn't seen that, thx for posting

this nugget stood out:

I think it's important to note here that Gregory's behind-the-scenes workout partner is the powerfully spiritual Jaylon Smith, both of them working towards a "some-day'' dream. Those two out-of-step big-named defenders were joined by a semi-interested Rolando McClain, absent here and there from the repetitive boredom of calisthenics due to a bathroom break that might last 25 minutes.

I like the possibility that Jaylon may be a good influence on Gregory but is McClain working out with them too? This article was written about recent events so it sounds like Rolando is in town and working out with Gregory and Jaylon.

Or am I misreading this?

 

[rpntex]

Im not approaching this in a flat out negative way, but for discussion sake... What do you guys feel about him?

Here are a few points to consider.

1) Offense was doing GREAT without him. Dak looked incredibly comfortable with the offense, they didn't miss a beat, and Dak wasn't trying to force feed anyone so to speak.

2) Dez returns and Dak looks uncomfortable, and he was ignoring what was making him great. Offense looked not on the same page. I feel Dez was not running correct routes on MANY plays. Dak kept trying to get him the ball no matter what and it cost us much of the game.

3) Dez now making comments on how good Romo is looking, etc... I think it is great that Romo is looking better. But, do you want all the players second guessing everything about who should be starting? Will Dak purposely throw to him more to keep him happy so to speak?

The team is likely to stick with Dak from here, but let's not forget how well they were doing in Dez's absence. I want Dez to be here with a good attitude and he is an incredible talent. But, do you guys feel the team is a little worse off as a result? Anyone have any thoughts?

In a word - no.

In response to your points:

1) Dak looked incredibly comfortable, but the offense in general looked "limited". Omce Zeke started to run with more confidence, things opened up quite a bit.

2) I don't believe Dak was forcing the ball to Dez. It's no secret that Dez has been our most dynamic player, and as such he's going to be the first read. The problems between Dak and Dez against Philly were mostly on Dak...throwing balls in the dirt, for instance. Air-mailing what should have been a long gain (and maybe eve a TD) over Dez's head. Yes, their communication issues did hurt us for a big portion of the game, but I don't believe Dallas wins that game if Dez doesn't play. There's not another receiver on the team that catches that game-tying TD - Dez is the only WR Dallas has with that kind of hand strength and wingspan to catch what was an under thrown and well-defended ball.

3) This is the most ridiculous thing you posted. For one thing, I guess you don't remember Witten saying something very similar about Romo's progress a couple of weeks ago. JW is unquestionably more respected as a leader on this team than Dez, yet it didn't divide the locker room when he said it.What's more, you're very naive of you don't think the players on the team don't already have an opinion on the Romo/Dak issue. Finally - and most important - nowhere in Dez's praise of Romo did he show any disrespect to Dak. He never said he prefers Romo to Dak, or even hinted as such.

You need to stop reading things into what others say.

 

[Verdict]

Im not approaching this in a flat out negative way, but for discussion sake... What do you guys feel about him?

Here are a few points to consider.

1) Offense was doing GREAT without him. Dak looked incredibly comfortable with the offense, they didn't miss a beat, and Dak wasn't trying to force feed anyone so to speak.

2) Dez returns and Dak looks uncomfortable, and he was ignoring what was making him great. Offense looked not on the same page. I feel Dez was not running correct routes on MANY plays. Dak kept trying to get him the ball no matter what and it cost us much of the game.

3) Dez now making comments on how good Romo is looking, etc... I think it is great that Romo is looking better. But, do you want all the players second guessing everything about who should be starting? Will Dak purposely throw to him more to keep him happy so to speak?

The team is likely to stick with Dak from here, but let's not forget how well they were doing in Dez's absence. I want Dez to be here with a good attitude and he is an incredible talent. But, do you guys feel the team is a little worse off as a result? Anyone have any thoughts?

In a word, YES.

 

[ConstantReboot]

I don't think he is a problem. I think he is a great player who is limited by what this offense is doing right now and it frustrates him. I truly believe Romo with this offense would be doing unbelievable things and Dez would be having an amazing season like he did in 2014.

That being said, Dak will eventually get it with Dez. It may take a while though.

Did you watch the game yesterday? Dez dropped a few passes and ran a lazy route which drew the ire of the coach and Dak. Then he went off on the sidelines making a big deal on how he was interfered with.

Dez needs to stop being a baby and start producing on the field. Since getting his big contract he has not been the same Dez and seems to be comfortable being on the sidelines being a cheerleader.

I like Dez but I'm beginning to feel like he's stirring things up for himself and not being a team player. He just needs to go out there and do his job - just like everyone else.