NewsBot
New Member
- Messages
- 111,281
- Reaction score
- 2,947
SAN ANTONIO – Dez Bryant insisted Wednesday he wasn’t trying “to open a can of worms” when he told a Dallas radio station he “can do whatever” Calvin Johnson can do as a wide receiver.
“I wasn’t comparing myself at all,” Bryant said in a conference call with Detroit reporters in advance of Sunday’s Cowboys-Lions game at Ford Field.
“I think a lot of people took it the wrong way. Clearly, I said there’s no comparison. That’s something I do not do. I don’t compare myself with anybody. When you compare yourself to others, that’s when you start to have a downfall.”
Bryant explained to Dallas’ KESN-FM on Monday that his belief that he can match Johnson is “just a pride thing…a mindset…a mentality.” His comments might have gone largely unnoticed had it not been for one Johnson’s Detroit teammates.
“I like Dez,” the Detroit Free Press quoted injured Lions receiver Nate Burleson as saying. “He’s one of the best receivers in the game right now. Very talented. Fast, big, strong. He possesses all the tools to possibly be as good as Calvin. But he’s not Calvin Johnson. No way, no how.
“Sorry, Dez. Keep it real.”
Known as Megatron for his imposing 6-foot-5, 236-pound physique and off-the-charts athletic skills, Johnson, 28, eclipsed Jerry Rice in the league record books with 1,964 yards last season on 122 receptions.
While the 6-2, 222-pound Bryant, 24, can’t match Johnson’s build, he showed off some Megatron-esque skills last season in catching 92 passes for 1,382 yards, both career-highs. He also had a career-best 12 TDs, seven more than Johnson collected in 2012.
Still, Bryant conceded Wednesday that Johnson is The Man.
“He broke Jerry Rice’s record last year,” Bryant said. “That’s setting the bar.”
For his part, Johnson stayed above the fray, heaping praise on Bryant during a conference call with the Dallas media.
“He’s always been a very good, big playmaker, 6-2, strong receiver,” Johnson said. “Those were some of his strengths. He goes up and catches the ball well…He’s a pretty good receiver all-around.”
Heading into this weekend’s battle of 4-3 teams, Bryant and Johnson both have six TD catches. Bryant is 10th in the league in receiving yards with 569, while Johnson is 20th with 492. With 42 receptions, Bryant has nine more than Johnson, who was sidelined in Week 5 with a knee injury.
With the Cowboys (4-3) and the Lions (4-3) both ranked near the bottom of the league in total defense and pass defense, both players could have big days Sunday.
So how do the Cowboys plan to defend Johnson? One option is to continue to play the man coverage that helped Dallas hold the high-scoring Eagles to 278 yards in last week’s 17-3 win at Philadelphia. Cornerback Brandon Carr was outstanding, limiting DeSean Jackson to three catches for 21 yards in eight targets against Carr.
“He’s a good corner, the best they’ve got over there,” Johnson said.
Continue reading...
“I wasn’t comparing myself at all,” Bryant said in a conference call with Detroit reporters in advance of Sunday’s Cowboys-Lions game at Ford Field.
“I think a lot of people took it the wrong way. Clearly, I said there’s no comparison. That’s something I do not do. I don’t compare myself with anybody. When you compare yourself to others, that’s when you start to have a downfall.”
Bryant explained to Dallas’ KESN-FM on Monday that his belief that he can match Johnson is “just a pride thing…a mindset…a mentality.” His comments might have gone largely unnoticed had it not been for one Johnson’s Detroit teammates.
“I like Dez,” the Detroit Free Press quoted injured Lions receiver Nate Burleson as saying. “He’s one of the best receivers in the game right now. Very talented. Fast, big, strong. He possesses all the tools to possibly be as good as Calvin. But he’s not Calvin Johnson. No way, no how.
“Sorry, Dez. Keep it real.”
Known as Megatron for his imposing 6-foot-5, 236-pound physique and off-the-charts athletic skills, Johnson, 28, eclipsed Jerry Rice in the league record books with 1,964 yards last season on 122 receptions.
While the 6-2, 222-pound Bryant, 24, can’t match Johnson’s build, he showed off some Megatron-esque skills last season in catching 92 passes for 1,382 yards, both career-highs. He also had a career-best 12 TDs, seven more than Johnson collected in 2012.
Still, Bryant conceded Wednesday that Johnson is The Man.
“He broke Jerry Rice’s record last year,” Bryant said. “That’s setting the bar.”
For his part, Johnson stayed above the fray, heaping praise on Bryant during a conference call with the Dallas media.
“He’s always been a very good, big playmaker, 6-2, strong receiver,” Johnson said. “Those were some of his strengths. He goes up and catches the ball well…He’s a pretty good receiver all-around.”
Heading into this weekend’s battle of 4-3 teams, Bryant and Johnson both have six TD catches. Bryant is 10th in the league in receiving yards with 569, while Johnson is 20th with 492. With 42 receptions, Bryant has nine more than Johnson, who was sidelined in Week 5 with a knee injury.
With the Cowboys (4-3) and the Lions (4-3) both ranked near the bottom of the league in total defense and pass defense, both players could have big days Sunday.
So how do the Cowboys plan to defend Johnson? One option is to continue to play the man coverage that helped Dallas hold the high-scoring Eagles to 278 yards in last week’s 17-3 win at Philadelphia. Cornerback Brandon Carr was outstanding, limiting DeSean Jackson to three catches for 21 yards in eight targets against Carr.
“He’s a good corner, the best they’ve got over there,” Johnson said.
Continue reading...