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Similar to what’s happening in Denver with Demaryius Thomas, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in an increasingly nasty predicament with their star wide receiver. Dez Bryant is angling for a lucrative new contract from the team, and has reportedly announced that he will consider sitting out the start of the season. It should go without saying that the Cowboys need to pay Bryant quickly before things turn even worse.
Going into his sixth NFL season, Bryant has been nothing short of spectacular on the field. The past three seasons, Bryant has steadily been amongst the elite at his position, routinely posting 1,200-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns. As much as it pains the Eagles fan in me, Bryant is a flat-out stud receiver who could very well be the best in the game. The value of his production on the field can’t be overstated.
That value is only made that much more important when you consider the rest of the offense around him. Dallas has a fantastic offensive line, what they hope will be a respectable running game, a good but aging quarterback, a decent tight end tandem in Jason Witten and Gavin Escobar, and underwhelming receivers behind Bryant on the depth chart. Without Bryant, that offense goes from borderline very good to just about average.
The running game is pretty suspect without DeMarco Murray in town, Witten is playing on fumes at this point, and I don’t think anyone’s terribly scared of Terrance Williams or Cole Beasley without Bryant out there. Bryant dictates so much of the coverage out there that I don’t think Dallas can risk finding out what life is like without him out there.
Most importantly, there’s Tony Romo himself. He’s 35 years old and not all that far removed from a serious back injury. As healthy as he may be now, Romo’s window to win isn’t that wide open. If it’s going to happen for Romo and the Cowboys, the time is now. No disrespect to Brandon Weeden, but there’s a noticeable talent gap between the two.
At this point, Dallas has to face the fact that they need Bryant more than Bryant needs them. He’s not a journeyman receiver, or a newly-signed free agent complaining about his year-old contract. This is a homegrown draft pick who has blown the league up since he’s been in it. Dallas would be smart to give him his money as quickly as possible and figure out how to make the numbers work later.
If this goes on any longer, it’s only going to get uglier in Dallas.
Doug Green is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @DGreenNFL.
