Reason to be optimistic about Dez

[perrykemp]

I've been somewhat critical of Dez this season -- most recently putting forth the theory that he is really just a possession receiver. Felt pretty confident about my opinion of him actually.

My son, who as I've mentioned before is a huge Packer fan and one of the main reasons why I am end up watching the Cowboys AND Packers every Sunday often at the same time -- said something to me in response to negative comments I voiced about Dez that I thought was interesting.

He told me to go back and look at Jordy Nelson's stats and history in his 1st three years in the NFL and I'd be surprised on what I saw and how it <could> relate to Dez:

• Nelson like Bryant dominated the Big 12 the year before they went pro (well, the year the Dez actually played before we went pro). Both put up sick numbers in the Big 12.
• Their height, weight, and combine speeds are darn close to one another. Nelson is an inch taller and Dez is 3 pounds heavier. Both have <good> 40 times for big being big guys -- but neither are barn burners.
• Where it get's interesting is if you go back and look at Nelson's 1st three years in GB he very inconsistent and was plagued with drops and fumbles (6 of them total in 2009 and 2010). Plenty of news stories to back that up.
• If you go back and look at write-ups on Nelson from a few years ago, you'll see him referenced quite frequently as a "possession" receiver. Even saw an article that basically said "What you see is what you get with Nelson at this point".... essentially saying he had hit his ceiling -- this was mid 2010 or so.

The point here is there are quite a few parallels between Dez and Jordy Nelson in their 1st three years in the NFL. It took Nelson nearly full 3 years for the light bulb to come fully on and all of sudden it turned out he wasn't a possession receiver after all -- he was really a big strong WR with excellent coordination who all of a sudden transformed into a big time deep threat.

If you buy that there are at least elements of this comparison that are valid, then you have to re-evaluate the the opinion voiced by many on this board, including myself, that this year is a make or break for Dez and that the light bulb is never going to come on for Dez.

Food for thought anyway.

 

[Zman5]

You can compare the WR's physical traits all you want but problem with Dez isn't his physical traits but mental.

What might make your augment more valid would be if you can find out their mental traits. I don't know how smart or dumb Nelson is but I hate to say it but Dez does come off as a slow learner.

 

[Thomas82]

I'm praying that he can get it together, because it would be a shame if all of his talent went to waste.

 

[Kingsham]

Very solid statement. I like Dez alot. I just wish he would just get that internal drive and get his head straight. He has the tools to put up good numbers and be Romo's best target.