Let's cut Dez

[Satchel89]

Ridley is a good #2? I'm not a Draft Expert but what I've seen from Ridley is a good route runner, He can run and he's got good hands. I could be totally wrong but he looks like a #1 receiver to me

 

[Verdict]

I believe this is accurate..........

If the Cowboys cut Bryant at the start of the league year in 2018, they get $8.5MM in cap savings immediately with $8.0MM in dead money immediately. If they designate him a June 1 cut, he would save $12.5MM against the cap in 2018 with a $4.0MM dead money hit but then you'd also have to take a $4.0MM dead money hit in 2019 as well.

That was my understanding as well. It divides the prorated SB over two years instead of one.

 

[erod]

Extend Dez? Oh my, that's a horrible idea.

Not if a fair paycut is attached. Just add an option year.

 

[erod]

Ridley is a good #2? I'm not a Draft Expert but what I've seen from Ridley is a good route runner, He can run and he's got good hands. I could be totally wrong but he looks like a #1 receiver to me

Ridley isn't as good as Christian Kirk.

 

[Verdict]

agreed....I think too many are allowing drama to override logic when it comes to Dez and Witten. Yes, they are Cowboy "legends" but in the salary cap era, value needs to be a large data point in roster/cap management.

You can't on one hand hold JJ & the FO accountable for lack of post season success but then give them flack for not being loyal to team legends even if at the team's cap detriment

Well said. Witten and Dez were, at one time, dominant players (or at least perceived to be dominant) and worthy of "being paid" according to their level of play. Both are surviving on this roster because of their poor play. Both have been bad enough for long enough that an objective person should reasonably conclude that the higher level of play "probably" isn't coming back.

 

[Leadbelly]

Dez is a #1. He's just not a top 5 in the league #1. He's middle of the pack, but his contract is set around top 5 expectations.

His contract was always set up to be extended towards the end. The team isn't cutting a 29 year old WR who just set the team's all-time TD reception record. The final year or two will get rolled into an extension and the final two years of that extension will never be reached. The new extension will have performance escalators and roster bonuses to limit his dead money at the end of the deal.

Long term, Dez's future is Anquan Boldin. Former #1 who transitions to become a matchup beast as a #2. Boldin played effectively until around 34. Or put 10-15 lbs on him, slide him inside, and he's Shannon Sharpe.

 

[Verdict]

Not if a fair paycut is attached. Just add an option year.

Yeah. It's a horrible idea because it continues to pay him top 5 money for a top 100ish performance level, and I'm being kind to Dez.

 

[Verdict]

Dez is a #1. He's just not a top 5 in the league #1. He's middle of the pack, but his contract is set around top 5 expectations.

His contract was always set up to be extended towards the end. The team isn't cutting a 29 year old WR who just set the team's all-time TD reception record. The final year or two will get rolled into an extension and the final two years of that extension will never be reached. The new extension will have performance escalators and roster bonuses to limit his dead money at the end of the deal.

Long term, Dez's future is Anquan Boldin. Former #1 who transitions to become a matchup beast as a #2. Boldin played effectively until around 34. Or put 10-15 lbs on him, slide him inside, and he's Shannon Sharpe.

Dez and Boldin are NOTHING alike. Bolden was never very fast which is why he was drafted so low. But Bolden was a great tactician and an exceptional route runner. He didn't beat you with speed. He beat you with technique. He is the Anti-Dez.

 

[Verdict]

Wait, are you saying Bryant is only putting forth a Top 100ish performance for WRs?

Yes. At best. If you factor in the number of targets vs production that's being kind.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I did say this year.

I know. I just think given the past history of Dez and people saying that he is throwing tantrums on the sidelines and that not being true, I tend to take it with a grain of salt because it hasn't been a credible accusation in the past.




YR

 

[Verdict]

Ridley isn't as good as Christian Kirk.

None of them are in the class of James Tiberius Kirk. In a class by himself.

 

[erod]

Yeah. It's a horrible idea because it continues to pay him top 5 money for a top 100ish performance level, and I'm being kind to Dez.

You kill this contract and get him to sign a more reasonable deal in exchange for a little more tenured security here.

Or, you just release him.

Somebody will back up the truck for him. Tom Brady could turn him back into what he was with Romo overnight. So could Aaron Rodgers.

 

[erod]

None of them are in the class of James Tiberius Kirk. In a class by himself.

Lando Calrissian says hello.

 

[Sydla]

Yes. At best. If you factor in the number of targets vs production that's being kind.

This production versus targets myth has been busted multiple times around here.

I get if you want to criticize him but to the extreme you want to go to, it's hard to take you seriously.

 

[Verdict]

My argument is that he is no where near what you would call a #1 WR in the league anymore. I agree, it isn't all on Dez. It is a confluence of factors. Playcalling, QB, etc, but the fact remains that he isn't a #1 WR.

I think that depends on your definition of "all on Dez". Do I think better QB play might elevate his effectiveness and/or stats? Yeah, but I think that's always true of every receiver, isn't it.

The problem is Dez can't get separation. Now he seems to also not be able to catch the ball, which is a bit of a new phenomenon. Dez could attempt to be a better route runner (which he should have been Doug all along). Instead of trying to run better routes, Dez solution seems to be throw me the ball even if I'm covered. I would say that part is "all Dez' fault". Wouldn't you?

 

[Stash]

I know. I just think given the past history of Dez and people saying that he is throwing tantrums on the sidelines and that not being true, I tend to take it with a grain of salt because it hasn't been a credible accusation in the past.




YR

I agree that some of the accusations have been off-base. But not all of them.

And I know that teammates and the organization have always had Bryant's ask, even when his emotions have obviously gotten the best of him. And I think you would agree with that. And while that's noble, and in fact, the best route to take, it doesn't change the reality that he's an emotional player that at times does, in fact, lose his cool.

And he's clearly displayed some frustrations and a "throw me the damn ball" attitude at various times throughout this season. Not totally unwarranted mind you, but he's not free of all blame either.

This past week proves that.

 

[Verdict]

This production versus targets myth has been busted multiple times around here.

I get if you want to criticize him but to the extreme you want to go to, it's hard to take you seriously.

Myth busted? I guess you don't trust your own eyes? Still believe in Santa Claus? Spoiler alert. There is no Santa Claus.

 

[Sydla]

Myth busted? I guess you don't trust your own eyes? Still believe in Santa Claus? Spoiler alert. There is no Santa Claus.

I don't trust your eyes. You have a clear bias.

There was a discussion here a week or so ago about targets versus production. Turns out that in terms of targets and catches, he wasn't that far out of line as when he had Romo throwing him the ball. The biggest issue seemed to be his drops were up considerably this year.

PFF went as far to say the biggest factor in Bryant's decline is that the number of catchable balls thrown his way is way down since 2015. I find that analysis a bit flawed because it takes into account 2015, where Bryant played like 9 games with totally awful QBs.

 

[Verdict]

I'd rather restructure the contract too. But knowing the emotional person and player that Dez is, I'm not sure he would handle any request to do that well, but rather see it as an insult.

Let's face it, he's certainly voiced his frustrations over not getting enough action. Now exo citing him to take a paycut for something he doesn't feel is his fault?

I'm not optimistic things would go well.

I think it would be reasonable to restructure Dez and try to make him a #2 possession receiver and a goal line target but he is NEVER going to agree to that. Dez is probably a really nice person but he is delusional if he thinks he's too 5 (and based on his actions that's what I think Dez thinks).

If we we ask Dez to take a pay cut he is going to flip out and go totally maliganant cancer on us. A pay cut is a reasonable objective option but I don't think that's remotely an option for Dez from his point of view.

 

[Verdict]

I don't trust your eyes. You have a clear bias.

There was a discussion here a week or so ago about targets versus production. Turns out that in terms of targets and catches, he wasn't that far out of line as when he had Romo throwing him the ball. The biggest issue seemed to be his drops were up considerably this year.

Why don't you post Dez stats from the time before Dez signed his contract. They would be equally relevant. You can keep dreaming Dez is plying at the same level as he was pre contract if you want but it's not realistic.