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We passed on Gordon. How 'bout Dez?


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We have to be ######ed to not get that guy in for a work out.  Plus he already has chemistry with Beasley. 

 

"

 
 

Dez Bryant landing spots: 10 NFL contenders likely to show interest in former Cowboys' All-Pro

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The NFL hasn't witnessed Dez Bryant catch a pass since Dec. 31, 2017, when he played for the Dallas Cowboys in a season marred with controversy and capped with having been eliminated from the playoffs before January rolled around. It was also one followed by a frustrated Bryant telling the media he'd have conversations with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and head coach Jason Garrett about scheme issues that dampened his production, but those conversations were replaced with rumors of the club having decided to move on from him.

Linehan sold the team on a wide receiver by committee approach, and Bryant was released in April 2018, ushered out the door by the very team that selected him in first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He'd then sign with the New Orleans Saints in November following his release, but tore his Achilles two days later. Officially ready to mount his comeback, he announced heading into Week 10 of the league calendar, the 31-year-old is healthy -- mentally and physically -- and feels he can contribute to a contender.

As far as reported demands he be signed as a starter? Hogwash, according to Bryant. Being a rotational player is of no consequence to him, to his own admission, and there are several teams looking to make a run at February that are likely ready to take his call, if not take the proactive approach of reaching out to him first.

After all, a player capable of racking up 73 NFL touchdowns doesn't grow on trees.

1. Houston Texans

Bryant is a Lufkin, TX native who makes it known at every turn just how much he loves his home state, but his adoration isn't exclusive to North Texas. His hometown is actually an hour closer to Houston than it is to Dallas, and that's not the only reason this might be a marriage made in heaven. The Texans sit atop the AFC South but just barely, and giving Deshaun Watson another big, strong target to throw the ball to can only help their chances of battling other contenders in the AFC. Watson has worked his magic to an MVP-caliber level in 2018, but the team's wide receiver corps has battled injury. 

 

Kenny Stills returned from a hamstring injury recently only to then see Will Fuller succumb to the same ailment, and the success of the Texans is predicated upon Watson's ability to extend plays and fire shots to talented receivers. Bryant alongside Stills and DeAndre Hopkins could be a potent combination, and especially when Fuller is healthy enough to return.

The Texans could certainly use Bryant, and he'd only be a short skip from where he grew up as well.

2. New Orleans Saints

They wanted him in 2018, and grabbed him, but fate conspired against their union. Now that he's healthy, the Saints reaching back out to Bryant feels like a no-brainer, aided by the instant chemistry he found with head coach Sean Payton and players in the locker room. The team went so far as to note that although Bryant had gotten injured two days after signing, they were still going to award him a Super Bowl ring, if they were successful in their quest. One controversial no-call later, it was instead the Los Angeles Rams moving on to the Super Bowl, but the Saints are right back to their winning ways in 2019, and attempting a mulligan with Bryant makes sense.

After noting the usual dominance of Michael Thomas, you'll find a massive void between his production and that of second-place Ted Ginn -- a 579 yard, three touchdown difference, to be exact -- leaving a spot for Bryant to get in where he fits in. With Brees returned, a rotation that includes Thomas, Ginn, Bryant, Alvin Kamaraand a healthy Jared Cook would go a long way to helping them complete a mission the NFL officials helped derail a year ago.

 

New Orleans is also not far from South Texas, and by now you're understanding how important that would be in Bryant's decision.

3. New England Patriots

Admit it, you knew this was coming. Yes, the Patriots have won eight of their nine games played in 2019, but it's largely due to the dominance of a defense that owns the NFL when it comes to taking the ball away. For once, Tom Brady is actually being carried by his defensive counterparts, and not the other way around. A key reason for the inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball is the merry-go-round at wide receiver, having signed Demaryius Thomas this offseason only to release and then re-sign him, and then trade him away to the New York Jets after signing Antonio Brown -- who was released two weeks after joining the club.

Josh Gordon returned, yes, but his production wasn't up to snuff and the Patriots cut ties with him recently as well. They'd land Mohamed Sanu before the trade deadline, but Brady wouldn't mind adding another proven weapon to join Julian Edelman. Enter Bryant, who reeled in over 800 yards receiving and six touchdowns in his most recent season. Currently, the Patriots are 15th in the NFL in total offense, and if they could begin matching the prowess of their league-best defense, they'd likely be unstoppable. 

It's the same Patriots organization that found success with a discarded Randy Moss, and tried again with Antonio Brown. Signing a focused and healthy Bryant would not only help propel them further away from the competition, i.e., the Baltimore Ravens, but also help provide a needed ice pack to heal the black eye left by Brown.

 

4. Buffalo Bills

If there's anyone who wants to keep Bryant out of the hands of Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, it's the Bills. Currently in the midst of the most impressive season they've seen in a long time, Buffalo is 6-2 and not far behind their bitter rival from Foxboro. One of their biggest issues, however, is lack of a dynamic wide receiver corps. This is why they should drool at the mere thought of adding Bryant to the roster, a veteran presence who could help in the development of Josh Allen. John Brown has established himself as an impact receiver, but not to the point you'd wave off signing Bryant.

Additionally, there's something to be said for recent free agent signing of Cole Beasley, who just happens to be one of Bryant's best friends after having spent much of their career together with the Cowboys -- also sharing a level of disdain for Dallas. It's possible Beasley is texting Bryant as we speak to put a bug in his ear about Buffalo, who has an unexpected but very real chance to make waves in the playoffs.

To get there, though, they'll need another weapon or two, so it's safe to assume they'd throw Bryant a coat and a call, assuming he doesn't ring their line first."

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dez-bryant-landing-spots-10-nfl-contenders-likely-to-show-interest-in-former-cowboys-all-pro/amp/

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5 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

No. But isn't it in the TBD bylaws that every former name player gets a thread about getting a shot with the Bills?

That, and some mouth breather has to mention that Belichick will scoop him up and turn him into a probowler. 

Edited by Tenhigh
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Honestly, why not at least bring him in for a workout to see if he has anything left?  He should be completely healed at this point and while he's on the older side, at 31, he could potentially have some productive seasons left.   James Lofton was a 33 year old receiver that was sitting on his couch when we signed him in 1989.

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15 hours ago, Dr.Mantis_Toboggan said:

What harm does bringing him in for a workout do?

He said he’s not looking to be a starter, just to contribute. Seems to have the right attitude, still the same age as AJ Green. They’d be crazy not to kick the tires.

 

 

 

I never quite understood these posts.  The GM and head coach are extremely busy people.  It's a time consuming process to bring in a player for a workout.  

 

I'd say, it would be at least 20 hours of work you'd be asking from the entire organization.  I don't want them kicking any tires and taking time away from more important things.  

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36 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

For 30 years, people have been calling John Elway a horse.  I call ONE GIRL a horse and I'm the devil?

Elway was, is, and ever so more shall be ‘Bolt Neck’...except when he was down 17 points with 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter.  Then he was a vampire, since nothing short of a wooden stake through the heart was going to stop him.

*
That gives me an idea for a ‘truisms of football’ thread.

Edited by Ridgewaycynic2013
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15 hours ago, Dr.Mantis_Toboggan said:

Lee Smith

 

No.

Lee Smith's contract is fully guaranteed this year and he is doing what they expected him to do. 

 

 

From CBS:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dez-bryant-landing-spots-10-nfl-contenders-likely-to-show-interest-in-former-cowboys-all-pro/

4. Buffalo Bills

If there's anyone who wants to keep Bryant out of the hands of Brady and Bill Belichick, it's the Bills. Currently in the midst of its most impressive season in a long time, Buffalo is 6-2 and not far behind its bitter rival from Foxborough. One of the Bills' biggest issues, however, is lack of a dynamic wide receiver corps. This is why they should drool at the mere thought of adding Bryant to the roster, a veteran presence who could help in the development of Josh AllenJohn Brown has established himself as an impact receiver, but not to the point you'd wave off signing Bryant.

Additionally, there's something to be said for recent free-agent signing of Cole Beasley, who just happens to be one of Bryant's best friends after having spent much of their career together with the Cowboys -- also sharing a level of disdain for Dallas. It's possible Beasley is texting Bryant as we speak to put a bug in his ear about Buffalo, who has an unexpected but very real chance to make waves in the playoffs.

To get there, though, they'll need another weapon or two, so it's safe to assume they'd throw Bryant a coat and a call, assuming he doesn't ring their line first.

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3 hours ago, babulator said:

I cant imagine he'd be more than an older, slower, and more expensive Duke Williams. Pass.

Yea, a multiple year pro bowler isnt better than Duke Williams???  Are you even serious? 

 

I cant picture Duke making half these plays. 

 

 

 

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8 hours ago, freddyjj said:

Doubt he knows Pats D playbook.  That's what Bills need. 

He only played against their coverages and Gilmore and those safeties every day. The guy would be valuable as a FA to help solve Belicheat. 

1 minute ago, TwistofFate said:

Yea, a multiple year pro bowler isnt better than Duke Williams???  Are you even serious? 

 

I cant picture Duke making half these plays. 

 

 

 

Duke Williams has 2 catches for 29 yards after that Nashville game. Why is anyone talking like he is our future? Foster had 500 yards last year and can’t sniff a catch this year so Duke is worth a bag of Tim Horton’s. 

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1 hour ago, Dr.Mantis_Toboggan said:

Then you should probably try a little harder...

 

They bring in so many random players for workouts all the time. Bringing in a former top 5 WR to see what he still has left in the tank, is hardly a head scratcher.

 

Then say you want them to do it for serious reasons - not kicking tires.  

 

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