Before the 2010 NFL Draft, Dez Bryant was viewed by many NFL teams as the best receiver in that year’s draft. Character concerns, including violating an NCAA bylaw his junior year at Oklahoma State (failing to disclose a meeting with Deion Sanders) petrified many teams from selecting Bryant.
Then questions about Bryant’s background, including his mother’s lifestyle and past legal troubles became under great scrutiny prior to the draft.
Despite his talent on the field, Bryant wasn’t selected until the 24th pick of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Ever since becoming a full-time starter in 2011, Bryant has punished the teams that decided to pass on him on draft day.
After finishing 2011 with 63 catches for 928 yards, 2012 was Bryant’s coming out party. In Week 6 31-29 loss against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens, Bryant set a then career high of receptions, with 13 including a touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Romo late in the game.
Bryant would end the 2012 season with 92 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. After the season, he was names the 2012 PFWA Most Improved Player.
In 2013, Bryant would put up similar numbers as he caught 93 balls for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns. After the season, he was named to his first Pro Bowl in his fourth seasons in the league.
2014 was Bryant’s best season in Dallas as he caught 88 passes and set a career high in yards and broke Terrell Owens Cowboys’ franchise record for touchdowns in a season (16).
Not only was Bryant’s presence was felt on the field, but he was also a presence off of it. Bryant became more of a leader as during games games, you could see him talking to the offense often after a failed series.
Earlier in the 2014 season, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten told USA Today about the maturation of Bryant.
That’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of, seeing what he’s grown into,” tight end Jason Witten said. “Obviously he’s a freakish talent, and his ability to go get the ball is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. But you know, we’ve had times where it’s been competitive, and heated, and I think that’s good. And there’s times where there is trust and commitment, and that’s a relationship we’ve develop.”
Bryant has had to learn how to be a professional the last few seasons. When he first entered the league, he was the young receiver next to Roy Williams and Miles Austin. Today, he is Dallas’ most experienced receiver and his leadership and positive influence has rubbed off on some of the Cowboys younger players.
Bryant, along with Romo and head coach Jason Garrett led the Cowboys to a 12-4 record and their first division title since 2009. Dallas would defeat the Detroit Lions in the Wild-Card Round for their first playoff win in five seasons, but would lose 26-21 in the Divisional Round to the Green Bay Packers on a controversial call.
On fourth down with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter Dez Bryant appeared to bring down a 31-yard catch on the Packers 1-yard-line. Packers coach Mike McCarthy threw his red challenge flag and the play was reversed because Bryant didn’t maintain possession of the football all the way to the ground the NFL rules state.
After the game, the passionate Bryant didn’t agree with the call
“All I know is I had possession, I had possession of the ball coming down,” Bryant said. “That’s possession, right? One, two, reach. Bam, that’s possession.”
In his five seasons in the NFL, Bryant has 381 catches for 5,424 yards and 56 touchdowns. Most importantly, Bryant has become the player many thought he could be when he came out of Oklahoma State. With some players getting in trouble and not reaching their maximum potential, it is great to see a player like Bryant become one of the NFL’s best receivers.
You can follow Antwan on Twitter @blackredsoxfan
