All of Cowboys Nation was taken back Friday afternoon when news broke the team was releasing beloved veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant. While this is a business, and Bryant’s production dropped off in 2017, the news still hit many fans hard.
Of course, there is a lot to analyze about the current and future Dallas Cowboys roster, but I wanted to reflect back on Dez Bryant’s career before doing so. The former first round pick of the 2010 NFL Draft is arguably the best receiver in the history of this vaunted franchise.
At the very least, over 500 receptions, nearly 7,500 yards, and 73 touchdown receptions make Bryant the most productive receiver the Cowboys have ever had. The peak of his career came in 2014, though it’s now jarring to realize that was most likely the last time we saw Dez Bryant play like himself.
During that 12-4 2014 season, Bryant caught 88 balls for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was a first team All-Pro selection, and the Cowboys’ offense looked poised to take over the league over the coming seasons. Before 2015, Dez Bryant re-signed with the Cowboys and claimed he would be a “Cowboys for life.” And if it were up to him, he would’ve been.
Then Tony Romo went down week two of the following year, and Dez Bryant battled a severe foot injury all season long. Bryant’s production dropped off, but his leadership and passion for the game remained the same.
Now Dez Bryant enters free agency for what is functionally the first time in his career. The unceremonious exit leaves Bryant’s relationship with the Cowboys in doubt, and makes me wonder how long it will take for the wound between the two parties to heal.
And, if it ever does heal, will Dez Bryant make the Cowboys Ring of Honor?
There is no doubt that he deserves to, as his numbers are some of the best the Cowboys have ever seen, but the way this ended between Bryant and the organization leaves me wondering how much bad blood there really is. On merit alone, Dez Bryant should be in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, but I do have to think there will be some fences to mend when the time comes for his induction.
Kevin I have to disagree with you, regarding both Dez, and Romo, for the Cowboys ROH
First , Romo, if Romo, is allowed to enter the Cowboys ROH, and NOT Danny White, it would be political. Why? Simply because Romo is Jerry Jones adapted son, who never even sniff the NFL championship game, during his tenure at quarterback for the Cowboys organization. While White, under Tom Landry, took the Cowboys to the NFC championship game three years in a row, 1980-1971 and 1982, IN addition White playoff record is better than Romo’s. White playoff record was 4-5, while Romo’s was a pathetic 2-4, during his tenure at quarterback for the Cowboys.
Yes Dez, was a member of the # 88 club, but for his 8 years of being a representative of that prestigious club, he doesn’t have the bling. The rings. Pearson-1, Irvin-3, total = 4.
So without the hardware on the fingers, both was very good, but NOT good enough to be honored , if the Cowboys organization, uses the criteria, that was used for the following:
Staubach-Aikman-Pearson-Irvin, all four was clutch, when it mattered the most. That is why they deserved to inducted into the the Cowboys ROH. Romo and Bryant have the stats, and some glorious moments during their time with the Cowboys, but couldn’t reach the high standards to achieve the ultimate goal, bringing home the coveted Lombardi Trophy. Which is what’s it All About regarding the Cowboys. At least Meredith and D. Perkins was able to get the Cowboys organization to the NFL championship game against the hated Packers, when the Cowboys organization started the tend of being an elite organization , in the mid 60’s.
I’m hoping Stephen Jones don’t award mediocrity and being stuck in NFL Purgatory, as the criteria to be inducted into the the Cowboys ROH. If the bar is lowered because of political purposes, then the Cowboys organization need to change the name of the ROH , to the Ring of the Very Good.
Now Kelvin , if you’re not old enough to remember the glory days of Landry, Schramn, Brandt, I understand why you would think Romo and Dez deserves to be in the ROH, but you’ll be doing Cowboys Nation a disservice by ignoring those that pave the way for Romo and Dez, before they could ever wear the vaulted Star.
I would honor Tony Hill, before Dez, he has something that Dez doesn’t a ring. Just my two cents worth.