As reality sets in for the Dallas Cowboys that their franchise leader in touchdown receptions is no longer part of their team, Dez Bryant’s departure has shed light on some other potential harsh realities for America’s Team.
In his “exit interview” with NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Bryant was an open as always – this time about how his final days with the Cowboys went down around the organization.
Dez Bryant to @SlaterNFL: "This situation was very unfair to me." Added that former teammates he called "Garrett guys" worked against him. "I truly believe that. I want them to know that I know. I'll shoot them a text message and let them know."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 13, 2018
The sticking point from Bryant’s interview concerns the head coach that has stuck with the Cowboys (as a full-time HC) since 2011 in Jason Garrett. The Cowboys have shown an incredible level of commitment towards Garrett, who has rewarded them with seasons like 2014 and 2016 – winning the NFC East thanks to a core of players that should certainly be considered “Jason Garrett guys”.
Near the top of this list of players is Dez Bryant, who now serves as the latest Cowboys example of how quickly rosters can turn over in the NFL. Ideally, the Cowboys are looking to build a roster full of players that want to fight for Jason Garrett – a coach that has seen many franchise players who carried him early in his career depart under his tenure.
There is no doubt that Garrett is truly on the proverbial hot seat for this 2018 season. On the heels of a 9-7 campaign, the Cowboys likely need to return to the playoffs to see Garrett continue leading this team. To do so, it feels like they’ll be relying on less “Garrett guys” than ever, but is this really the case?
No one person inside The Star made the decision this late in April to move on from Dez Bryant. This move was agreed upon by a majority of high-ranking Cowboys voices, at least some of which had soured completely on Bryant’s overall impact on the team.
https://twitter.com/jonmachota/status/985327141834362880
As we sit here on another Sunday without Cowboys football though, the Cowboys are not a better football team than they were at any point with Dez Bryant on their roster. The Cowboys are seemingly distancing themselves from Jason Garrett (as they possibly should be prior to the 2018 NFL Draft) under the facade that this team is built to be his.
If “Garrett guys” such as Quarterback Dak Prescott – firmly cemented as this team’s starting QB for the foreseeable future – were able to have a say in Dez Bryant departing Dallas, than we are truly looking at a new era of Cowboys football.
A new era led by much of the same, which is why the Cowboys will continue to be viewed in the same light around the league. In all honesty, this is a team that will likely fall short with Jason Garrett as their Head Coach once again in 2018. Dez Bryant may even score a touchdown against the Cowboys to make matters worse.
The Cowboys ran out of scapegoats for mediocrity a while ago, recycling their ineptitude by branding it under their career 67-53 head coach. A coach that owes a significant portion of his success to Dez Bryant.
Surely, the Cowboys outlook for the future can brighten up following this month’s draft. Similarly to last year’s approach at cornerback, the Cowboys are confident in their ability to find talent in this year’s class of wide receivers.
Adding up to ten new players in the draft only proves further that the Cowboys are a team in transition, for better or worse.
Dez Bryant’s supporters can weigh in on which way the team that’s now betrayed #88 is trending.
I’m sorry, Bryant’s word is accepted as ‘gospel’? His comments show me that he was paranoid for a long time.
Agreed. This had been talked about early during last season so you know he had to hear it from somewhere. Once the seed is planted…
Betrayed? This author never interviewed anyone yet he draws these conclusions.
Moronic!
Watch the Slater interview and check Dez’s Twitter timeline.
Dez made the accusation, saying he was a scapegoat and it was unfair, but never named names, except to say “Garrett Guys”. The rest, as to who are these ‘guys”, is left to speculation and opinion, leading to your article. Again, how was Dez betrayed? His contract was fulfilled. That they could have released him sooner, in itself is business, not betrayal.
You lost me at Dez was a Garrett Guy. Which is not to absolve JG and SL for coaching ineptitude (oh how it scared me that SL takes over for JG) but 69 for almost 900 and 6 TDs isn’t that special. Cowboys are better, addition by subtraction. PS, JG owes success to Tony. . . .and a stout OL. . .and great running games. . . .I’ll wager offensive passing production way up this year.
Dez is the one who got himself cut. How bout taking a pay cut when you aren’t living up to your contract. 3 years of less than 900 yards plus crying about not getting the ball during a game that we are winning
Dude, you need to understand that contract was for the years he was all pro, he out preform his rookie deal, they needed to pay like the star he was at that time, his lack of production was not entirely his own, had to play with three of the worst WBs you could imagine Weeden, Cassel, Moore, came back to fast from broken foot, followed by knee injury, trying to get on same page with Dak in two years, oh, change in philosophy, passing team to running team, Facts!
Most of that is true but it also shows that the team was correct to move on . Bryant and Romo grew up together and were exciting but not actually successful. There were a lot of games with 3 TDs and a lot with 3 INTs. In the end, the era had one playoff win and was .500.
Bryant is now old and done.
Thanks to Bryant and Romo for an exciting ride and now we start a new era of Dak, Elliott and a new main receiver. Time has moved on.
This writer seems to have an issue with the Head Coach having a say who is on the team. Actually, after ages of Jerry listening to no one, the idea the Head Coach being actually involved is a huge step forward.
As to Bryant and the Boys, this site is caught up in a fantasy of Bryant rather than the current reality.The Bryant the site sees stopped existing in 2014.
I have an issue with how this team evaluates talent to reach the point of their Head Coach losing a player like Bryant, who I believe still could have contributed to this team in 2018.
Bryant has been on the market 4 days and no one is signing him. Bryant is convinced and so are a lot of Cowboy fans, that Bryant is still a top receiver. The fact that the league knew for months that Bryant would likely be available and so assessed Bryant but no one is signing Bryant shows that those fans and writers are just overvaluing Bryant.
I think it’s a win for both sides. May serve as some humble pie for him and on the flip side, a change in culture for the Cowboys plus the opportunity for some new blood to step up to the plate
Good point and not just because I agree. Dez made the statement that if he didn’t have an “edge”, he does now. Dez and Romo were dependent on each others skill set, especially when you look at the last couple of years. Dak is growing into the QB position, whereas, Dez and Tony grew into their positions together. Dak was inaccurate at times, but Dez can’t afford to wait on Dak to get better, because he is over the top of his hill. Dez has talent that can be utilized by a more veteran QB. Alex Smith, if he gets picked up by the Redskins, may be the medicine Dez needs to get better.
Biased, preconceived article written on the writers personal thoughts. What has happened to responsible reporting?
hahahaha, Jerry keeps making changes to everything but the coach and staff. He really believes Garrett can win him that Lombardi Trophy that he has been obsessed with winning since Jimmy Johnsons team left. Hate to burst your bubble JJ, but there is no way Garrett will ever win you a Super Bowl. First off, he’s going to have to win 3 or 4 playoffs games in a row to win it. Yes, he will have to beat 3 or 4 playoff teams in a row to win you your Super Bowl. If you truly believe he can do that….he’s your guy.
Complete BS on Dez being released. He was the scapegoat for everything that happened last season. Everyone’s production was down last year because of the OL problems, the RB problems and the QB problems. You have a TE that is no longer capable of opening up the middle of the field (for the last 2 yrs), let alone running a route beyond 15 yds but Dez gets released. You have an QB that has problems reading defenses, has problems with footwork, has problems on when to throw the ball, has problems with anticipating routes/coverages but Dez gets released. You have a RB that was suspended, you have back up RB’s with no where to run. You have a #2 WR who drops and body catches more balls than my 8 yr. old, you have a back up WR who can’t figure out the playbook or where to line up, you have a 5’4″ 130lb WR who gets manhandled at the LOS, and you have a rookie who gets no playing time…..but Dez gets released. You have coaches that……well don’t know how to.
Now I get it, Dez was getting paid a lot of money and his production should have been better last year but it takes a team not just one player to be productive. Did he drop balls, yes he did. Julio had more drops than him and with a much better QB!
Hopefully they have a plan ( i doubt it) but hopefully they do. There is no rookie who can come in make things instantly better. It takes a rookie WR 2-3 yrs at this level and we never play rookies so here, maybe 3-5.
Once again, great job Jones family! you guys are real winners.
Dez has lost a step since his foot injury and NEVER ran good routes. He caused trouble on the side lines and cost way too much money for his work the last 3 years!!! I predict he will sign for a lot less money some where and have a couple of fair years and will be gone from NFL!
I thought this article was all about Dez but half way through it, the writer starts his assault on HC Jason Garrett. So, for the hundredth time, let me explain the Jason Garrett situation. NO ONE ELSE OF SUBSTANCE WILL COACH DALLAS! No coach is going to subject himself to the Jerry Show! Jason does this and he does it very well. It’s not fair to attack/insult Coach Garrett.