How should Dallas Cowboys fans feel about Dez Bryant in 2020?
It's been 2,154 days since Dez Bryant jumped up for a 50-50 ball at Lambeau Field and reached over the goal line. Anytime Bryant is mentioned in a conversation, chances are most NFL fans will remember that iconic moment in recent history. The Dallas Cowboys would go on to lose that Playoffs game to the […]
It's been 2,154 days since Dez Bryant jumped up for a 50-50 ball at Lambeau Field and reached over the goal line. Anytime Bryant is mentioned in a conversation, chances are most NFL fans will remember that iconic moment in recent history. The Dallas Cowboys would go on to lose that Playoffs game to the Green Bay Packers after a remarkable 12-4 season and arguably Tony Romo's best year in the league. The Cowboys lost for a lot of reasons that day, but Bryant's catch/no-catch will be immortalized.
But Cowboys' fans will remember Dez Bryant for much more. After all, he was one of the most dominant players in the NFL between 2010 and 2014. Between 2012 and 2014, Bryant averaged 1,311 yards and 14 touchdowns per season. In 2014, he was voted a First-Team All-Pro as he led the league in touchdowns with 16.
For a franchise that featured Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, Jason Witten, Bob Hayes and many other talented pass-catchers, Bryant is still the All-Time touchdown receptions leader with 73. He also ranks fifth in receiving yards and third in catches. For many years, Bryant was one of the most important players for an entire generation of Dallas Cowboys' fans.
Dez Bryant is truly one of the Cowboys' greats, and that's something plenty of fans will remember when he's standing on the other side of the field wearing the Baltimore Ravens' colors. Bryant is very far from the player he was in 2014. Not even in his last years in Dallas was he as good as before.
But the way he's fought to get back on an NFL roster is impressive. He joined the New Orleans Saints' in 2018 and suffered a torn Aquiles before suiting up on game day. Yet in 2020, he found his way back. Think about how hard it is for a 32-yar-old football player who hasn't played in three years to be back on an active roster. That happened thanks to Bryant's resilience.
Of course, his participation has been limited and I insist, he isn't the same player as before. But I bet Dallas Cowboys' fans – myself included – will be excited to see him go at it against his former team. It will feel odd, especially considering Mike McCarthy will be standing on the Cowboys' sidelines this time. Who knows, maybe McCarthy even throws a challenge flag for old time's sake. I kid, I kid.
By the way. I kind of wish this game was played at AT&T Stadium because I'm fairly certain the Dallas Cowboys would've paid him tribute as they did when Tony Romo and Jason Witten made their returns to the stadium.
But you take what you get. The Cowboys and Ravens will square off on Tuesday Night Football and Dez Bryant will line up against his former team at 7:05 p.m. CT. We'll see if the Cowboys' secondary keeps him from Throwing Up The X.
Featured Image Via Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
