Apollo Creed
Stackin and Processin, Well
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When I was in training camp in San Antonio before the 2011 season, I got to see first hand exactly how much more gifted Dez Bryant was than other receivers. Spent a few days there watching him routinely make one handed catches. Leaping spectacular grabs over two, and three guys. Guy had that Megatron element to be able to go up over guys, box em out, or just take the ball from them. He just seemed to always come down with it. 'Was a natural receiver of the football, a guy born to catch the ball' according to Michael Irvin. I couldn't agree more. We knew we were getting a special talent but could that talent offset the off the field drama and the lack of football IQ?
For a few years we saw flashes but now I think it all is coming together.
It's critical to understand that Dez rarely sees single coverage, he's routinely bracketed or shaded, and commands extra defensive attention. It's not just Romo that gets hurt by a lack of a running game, it hinders our entire passing game. So as Dez is fighting through all these coverages and mental gymnastics, we aren't capable of seeing his true potential in a balanced offense, with the benefits of play action, a healthy Murray, and the full trust of his QB.
As Cris Collinsworth spent all last night demanding that he be given 2 or 3 'Moss' plays as I call them, where you just put the ball up and let your guy go get it. Get the ball up and let your superstar make a play. I've always tended to agree with that, because it seems more often than not, your guy is gonna come down with it or draw the flag. Would love to see more of those, but defenses rarely allow that situation - and when Tony sees it, like last night on 3rd and 2 when he saw man coverage on the outside, he checked into the Go to Dez, he has the faith that he's gonna make a play. Especially when you're in a must-win game on 3rd and 2, also doesn't hurt when your QB throws a great ball.
It goes much deeper than just outleaping our out-rebounding DBs as I like to call it. Kid is great after the catch and on screens. Dez is a one of a kind talent with the ball in his hands in space. He's got a rare combination of wiggle and vision with explosiveness and acceleration. Rarely does one guy bring him down, he always seems to go forward and drag defenders. Evident last night on the WR screen when he just dragged DRC into the end-zone and the heads up play where he Romo threw across the field and Dez glided into the endzone.
I'm sure Redball understands that screens and fades to Dez are a way to take pressure off the other 9 guys, allows it to ultimately be 2 on 1 or 2 on 2 with Romo and Dez v the DB. I'm sure a lot of it is dictated by coverage, but there is a way of dictating the way coverage plays you if your guy keeps dragging your DB for 10 yards, or has the ability to take him vertically. Sometimes you have to do the punching and not counter punching, which is what I think Garrett gets entirely too fixated on. It's certainly chess, but with a talent like Dez is allows you to play checkers at least for a handful of plays a game.
We all understand his struggles with Xs and Os, particularly sight reads where he and Tony absolutely have to be on the same page regarding a coverage or leverage, never more telling than in the Chicago game on MNF. But as Murray gets healthier, the offense gets more balance, Romo gets more chances will we be able to truly see how far Dez can go. Because right now, the sky continues to be the limit.
Side-note: Sign him, sooner the better - don't let him have a monster year and start thinking he needs Calvin Johnson money. Give him something long-term, reasonable for the production you're getting/will-get. Give Romo that security blanket he'll need for years to come and your continue to give your offense the guy just seems to make plays. The more time with Romo, as he develops a feel for the game and his position, will we truly be able to see exactly how blessed a football player this kid is. Because all the drama aside, when you watch 88 play, you don't just see another receiver - I see a football player, and a guy that has that 'Irvin' factor, constant chip on the shoulder, hard worker and will continue to get better. And pardon the pun, a guy that just seems to be a Playmaker.
For a few years we saw flashes but now I think it all is coming together.
It's critical to understand that Dez rarely sees single coverage, he's routinely bracketed or shaded, and commands extra defensive attention. It's not just Romo that gets hurt by a lack of a running game, it hinders our entire passing game. So as Dez is fighting through all these coverages and mental gymnastics, we aren't capable of seeing his true potential in a balanced offense, with the benefits of play action, a healthy Murray, and the full trust of his QB.
As Cris Collinsworth spent all last night demanding that he be given 2 or 3 'Moss' plays as I call them, where you just put the ball up and let your guy go get it. Get the ball up and let your superstar make a play. I've always tended to agree with that, because it seems more often than not, your guy is gonna come down with it or draw the flag. Would love to see more of those, but defenses rarely allow that situation - and when Tony sees it, like last night on 3rd and 2 when he saw man coverage on the outside, he checked into the Go to Dez, he has the faith that he's gonna make a play. Especially when you're in a must-win game on 3rd and 2, also doesn't hurt when your QB throws a great ball.
It goes much deeper than just outleaping our out-rebounding DBs as I like to call it. Kid is great after the catch and on screens. Dez is a one of a kind talent with the ball in his hands in space. He's got a rare combination of wiggle and vision with explosiveness and acceleration. Rarely does one guy bring him down, he always seems to go forward and drag defenders. Evident last night on the WR screen when he just dragged DRC into the end-zone and the heads up play where he Romo threw across the field and Dez glided into the endzone.
I'm sure Redball understands that screens and fades to Dez are a way to take pressure off the other 9 guys, allows it to ultimately be 2 on 1 or 2 on 2 with Romo and Dez v the DB. I'm sure a lot of it is dictated by coverage, but there is a way of dictating the way coverage plays you if your guy keeps dragging your DB for 10 yards, or has the ability to take him vertically. Sometimes you have to do the punching and not counter punching, which is what I think Garrett gets entirely too fixated on. It's certainly chess, but with a talent like Dez is allows you to play checkers at least for a handful of plays a game.
We all understand his struggles with Xs and Os, particularly sight reads where he and Tony absolutely have to be on the same page regarding a coverage or leverage, never more telling than in the Chicago game on MNF. But as Murray gets healthier, the offense gets more balance, Romo gets more chances will we be able to truly see how far Dez can go. Because right now, the sky continues to be the limit.
Side-note: Sign him, sooner the better - don't let him have a monster year and start thinking he needs Calvin Johnson money. Give him something long-term, reasonable for the production you're getting/will-get. Give Romo that security blanket he'll need for years to come and your continue to give your offense the guy just seems to make plays. The more time with Romo, as he develops a feel for the game and his position, will we truly be able to see exactly how blessed a football player this kid is. Because all the drama aside, when you watch 88 play, you don't just see another receiver - I see a football player, and a guy that has that 'Irvin' factor, constant chip on the shoulder, hard worker and will continue to get better. And pardon the pun, a guy that just seems to be a Playmaker.
