As you send the kids back to school this week, prepare yourself for a history lesson as well.
Because Dez Bryant is about to embark on the most
prolific season ever by a Dallas Cowboys’ receiver. Stuff that in your
backpack.
For a franchise that boasts Hall-of-Famers Bob Hayes and
Michael Irvin, ‘70s All-Decade member Drew Pearson and even the productive,
petulant Terrell Owens, Bryant’s 2013 season will re-boot the record books.
Barring injury of course, he’ll break Irvin’s team-record
for catches (111 in ’95) and yards (1,603 in ’95), and Terrell Owens’ mark for
touchdowns (15 in ’07).
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Dez hasn’t fully matured as an NFL receiver. But if this
preseason has taught us anything, he’s finally reached puberty.
By December he just might
be the best receiver in the league.
“He’s got that kind of talent, yes,” owner Jerry Jones
told us media in the Cowboys’ locker room after their 24-18 victory over the
Cincinnati Bengals last Saturday night. “We’re seeing a lot of the things from Dez we thought we
would see when we drafted him.”
For a couple years Dez merely caught the football. He’s
now learning there’s much more to playing receiver.
Route-running. An intricate
knowledge of the plays. Sometimes playing defense on poorly thrown passes.
Channeling emotions into positive energy rather than distracting sideline
outbursts. Removed as a punt returner and beyond the domestic dispute with his
mother, jewelry loans, etc. that plagued his Cowboys’ infancy, Dez is now
poised to dominate his position more than any other player with a star on his
helmet.
Against the Bengals at AT&T Stadium he
was a ‘Boy against boys, catching five passes and a touchdown on a
second-quarter drive that provided a glimpse of his potential. Near the
goal-line, he merely shrugged off cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick – the 17th overall
draft pick in 2012 from Alabama – and nabbed a touchdown like a dad toying with
his toddler.
In a little more than three pre-season quarters (10
series), Dez amassed 13 catches for 183 yards.
The Cowboys have deficiencies. Dez can take up the slack.
“I don’t look at it as pressure,” he said after the game.
“I always have a high standard for myself. That’s just how it goes. If I put up
the numbers, I put them up.”
To have the best receiving season in Cowboys’ history,
Bryant has to average seven catches, 101 yards and one touchdown per game.
Consider it done.
Class dismissed.
