Tag: Dez Bryant

Ja’Marr Chase reveals which NFL great he modeled his game after

Throw Up The X.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is in a class of his own when it comes to rookie-season accomplishments despite earning plenty of comparisons in the process.

One such comparison would fairly suggest his game is reminiscent of former Dallas Cowboys great Dez Bryant.

And it just so happens Chase modeled his game after Bryant’s when he was younger, as he revealed on Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd” recently:

“Yeah so the main person I was watching growing up was Dez Bryant. You know he was always somebody I always watched when he was with Tony Romo. Back then, that’s when we had Marques Colston on the Saints. I was always watching Dez Bryant…I stayed with it, learned from it, that’s when I started to watch other receivers and just take their stuff.” 

Bryant, a big-bodied, yards-after-catch machine, scored 15 touchdowns over his first two seasons (27 games) and scored 75 times over 119 appearances. From 2012-2014, he had three straight years of at least 1,200 receiving yards with 41 touchdowns.

Chase, over his first 16 games, has a record-breaking 1,429 receiving yards with 13 scores while averaging 18.1 yards per catch. No word on if he’ll play in the season finale against the Browns before suiting up in the playoffs, but regardless of when fans see him again, they’ll see more shades of Dez in Bengals stripes.

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Another play Dez Bryant thought was a catch that wasn’t in Bedlam

Dez Bryant disagreed with the officials’ call on a pass play at Oklahoma-Oklahoma State

Dez Bryant was on the sidelines at the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game, cheering on his Cowboys.

Of course, there had to be a questionable play where Oklahoma State’s Tay Martin tries to make a great catch for a touchdown in the second half.

Bryant signaled a touchdown.

The officials reviewed the play and stood by their call of an incomplete pass.

Where have we seen this scenario with Bryant before?

Of course in the 2014 Divisional round when Bryant was with the Dallas Cowboys and they were playing the Green Bay Packers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1khK6is-Bfs

Upon further review, it was called incomplete.

Bryant disagreed, telling an official, “I’m trying to reach over the goal line, how is that not a catch?”

He’s 0-for-2.

Although the NFL did say Bryant’s play with Dallas was a catch … eventually … like three years later.

Dez Bryant throws shade at Jason Garrett following Giants firing

Dez Bryant wasted no time in taking shots at Jason Garrett following his termination from the New York Giants.

The firing of Jason Garrett as the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants this week was a long time coming to anyone who has been paying attention.

The Giants’ offense — despite major upgrades this past offseason — is still a mess and far too underproductive considering the talent they have in the building.

In all fairness, Garrett had to play the hand he was dealt, which included a subpar offensive line and a continuing spate of nagging injuries to his top playmakers.

None of that mattered in the end as the Giants finally saw what Dallas fans knew all along — that Garrett was not the brilliant offensive strategist he was made out to be.

Several of Garrett’s former players have bashed him for his latent and conservative ways. One player in particular, three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant, has been chirping away at Garrett ever since Garrett was let go by the Cowboys after the 2019 season.

Bryant had played for Garrett in Dallas for eight seasons and the results — for Bryant and the team — fell short of expectations. This week Bryant sent out this tidbit to Giants’ rookie wideout Kadarius Toney, sideswiping Garrett and letting Toney know that his career is about to take off now that Garrett is gone.

Before that, Bryant let his feelings be known about Garrett.

Bryant had a contentious end to his Cowboys’ career and took a shot at Garrett, who took over the head coaching reins from Wade Phillips midway through Bryant’s rookie season in 2010, after Garrett was not retained in January 2020.

“I don’t have no sympathy for coach Garrett losing his job … The Cowboys just became real contenders,” Bryant tweeted.

At the time, that appeared to be harsh. Right now, Giants fans are wondering how they can get the last season and a half back.

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NFL changes Twitter, Instagram bios to quote about Titans’ Derrick Henry

A tweet from Dez Bryant about Derrick Henry is now in the bio of the NFL’s Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is off to a legendary start to the 2021 season, and so much so that even the NFL’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts had to pay respects in their bios.

After another dominant performance in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills that included a 76-yard touchdown run, Henry has amassed 783 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, both tops in the league.

He’s on pace to win a third straight rushing crown, record a second straight 2,000-yard season, and break the all-time record for most rushing yards in a single season.

It isn’t clear exactly when it happened, but the NFL’s bio on Instagram and Twitter were changed to a quote about Henry that came from a tweet via former NFL receiver, Dez Bryant (H/T Ben Arthur of The Tennessean).

“Derrick Henry is the player we all created whenever we was younger on Madden,” Bryant tweeted on Monday night before it ended up in the bios.

And speaking of Madden, how about adding The King to the 99 club? It’s long overdue, and Titans safety Kevin Byard agrees.

Fresh off another sensational performance versus the Bills, Henry was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 6. It’s the second time this season the Alabama product has taken home the honor.

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News: Some Cowboys still on roster bubble, another COVID add, considering Cam?

Several will have survived “final” cuts only temporarily to make room for returning COVID players; will the Saints use Cowboys’ home field? | From @ToddBrock24f7

Cowboys fans ended their Tuesday night with another episode of the reality series Hard Knocks, but several players lived it in true living color just hours earlier. So-called “final” roster cuts were the big story of the day, with two dozen players either released or waived. Some were axed only as a technicality and will be back within days; others made it onto the 53-man roster only as a temporary stay. We’re analyzing every move at every position as the true 2021 roster continues to take shape.

Within that, several interesting subplots. What- if anything at all- should Cam Newton’s release by the Patriots mean for the Cowboys’ backup quarterback situation? Which injured Cowboys will have to give up their roster spots to players coming off the COVID watchlist? And who just got put on that list?  The ’21 draft class continues an impressive streak in Dallas, an undrafted reality show winner gets the leading-man treatment in the incredible true story of his life, the Cowboys’ next big defensive star hooks up with one of the club’s past greats, our player profiles focus on the rising secondary, and Dez Bryant makes another clutch catch. That’s all on tap in this edition of News and Notes.

Cowboys News: Jerry gives a roster spot, turning focus to Tampa, new destination for Dez?

The Cowboys owner confirms which “bubble player” will make the team, silver linings from an 0-4 preseason, and Dez Bryant going to a rival? | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys’ preseason has- mercifully- come to an end. They had no wins, but they suffered no massive season-plan-altering injuries, either. Perhaps that’s the best that can be said for the 2021 exhibition schedule. Preseason game No. 4 versus Jacksonville was little more than a showcase for relatively-unknown bubble players (at least that’s the way Dallas treated it). So for those who had better things to do with their Sunday afternoon than watch the Cowboys’ 2s and 3s get a beatdown from last year’s worst team in the league, a quick recap kicks things off.

We’ll dive a bit deeper to see who from each position group may have solidified their roster spot as final cuts loom large, including one free agent signee who had his ticket punched by the boss personally. Rookie Kelvin Joseph gives an update on his groin pull, but he doesn’t really provide an answer on his return. We’re looking for the silver linings in a winless preseason, while head coach Mike McCarthy has already closed the book and is looking ahead to September 9th. All that, plus a puzzling tease from a former star wideout about the surprising place former Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant may be headed next. Here’s the News and Notes to start a busy week.

Chad Johnson, Dez Bryant not worried about Ja’Marr Chase’s drop issues

Some high-profile former pros say not to worry about Ja’Marr Chase.

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By now, the drop issues from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase are well known.

The fifth overall pick dropped three passes in his team’s second preseason game, all third-down attempts. Those struggles then continued into the team’s first practice after that game, where he dropped some easy ones and vented some frustration.

But some notable names like Dez Bryant and Chad Johnson say Bengals fans shouldn’t worry too much about Chase.

First up was Johnson, the team ambassador for the Bengals who wanted the team to draft Tee Higgins and was also thrilled with the Chase pick. He’s still banking on Chase having a huge year:

Dez was right there in the “not concerned” column too:

The Bengals also say they aren’t worried about it, which makes sense. A kid who didn’t play football last year continues to use preseason time to get back into the swing of things.

If nothing else, Chad and Dez should know and sit as trustworthy sources on the matter.

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Cowboys News: Dak, Gallimore, McKeon injury updates; who are first cut candidates?

The team got encouraging news on several injuries, plus a look at Jaylon Smith’s play from Friday night that looked more 2020 than 2018. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The weekend brought some clarity to the Cowboys’ list of dinged-up players. Dak Prescott looks to be healing on schedule, as up-and-coming players Neville Gallimore and Sean McKeon will be sidelined for just a little while (instead of a long while). Randy Gregory is expected back soon, as is Dalton Schultz. Cue the annual debate about whether preseason games do much of anything but cause needless injuries.

Plenty of other roster watching to do this week as the first cut date looms. Linebacker Jaylon Smith finds himself under the microscope again for a less-than-optimal performance versus Arizona, Zack Martin is recognized by his peers, Trevon Diggs carries some extra weight in his second season, and we look at how rookie lineman Matt Farniok could play a key role (or two of even three) in the Cowboys offense. All that, plus a look inside what Dak Prescott means when he says he’s “taking a mental rep,” and why fans coming to Cowboys home games should be on the lookout for a familiar face in the seat next to them. Here’s the News and Notes to get your week started.

Dez Bryant thinks the Chiefs should trade for Steelers WR James Washington

Former #Cowboys and #Ravens WR Dez Bryant is advocating for a trade that would send #Steelers WR James Washington to the #Chiefs.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington wants to be traded per a recent report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. One former NFL wide receiver thinks that Washington would be a great fit with the Chiefs.

Washington didn’t earn much playing time in the Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday evening. Generally, he hasn’t seen much playing time since his second-round selection in the 2018 NFL draft. He’s appeared in 45 games over the past three seasons in Pittsburgh, but he’s only once exceeded 50% of the team’s offensive snaps. That came in 2019 when Washington caught 44 passes for over 700 yards and three touchdowns.

Former Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens WR Dez Bryant thinks that Washington could perhaps top those numbers in Kansas City. Bryant took to Twitter after the news came out, claiming Washington would make the Chiefs’ offense unstoppable.

“James Washington (should) go to the Chiefs,” Bryant wrote. “Game over… extremely unfair but I would love to see it!!!”

Bryant went to Oklahoma State, which happens to be Washington’s alma mater. Bryant has long been a proponent of Washington’s game and even seemed to have some inside information that this trade request was coming, posting the following message a day ahead of the trade request.

“If you are a team and want a top-tier WR trade for James Washington,” Bryant said. “Thank me later.”

Washington, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The team trading for him would take on a little bit more than $1 million in salary for the 2021 NFL season. He’d become a free agent in 2022, which means he could net a compensatory pick in 2023 for the team that trades for him.

This seems like a move that Chiefs GM Brett Veach would be willing to make. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers doing anything to help Kansas City continue their wave of dominance over the AFC conference.

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Cowboys News: Randy Gregory ‘unstoppable” in camp, Dalton Schultz impresses

The Cowboys offense says of Gregory, “We can’t stop him;” Dalton Schultz, Ben DiNucci, and Maurice Canady are among other camp notables. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Several Cowboys players aren’t waiting around to make moves. Tight end Dalton Schultz may be pressing to keep the starting job as Blake Jarwin continues to work his way back from an ACL injury, and Randy Gregory appears to be putting on a clinic at defensive end, prompting a former player and coach to predict an All-Pro campaign for the veteran still on the comeback trail. Maurice Canady is finally getting his Cowboys career started after opting out of 2020, Ben DiNucci is gunning for the primary backup quarterback job, Connor Williams is taking snaps at center, and a new cornerback has been welcomed into the fold.

Plenty more tidbits from camp to start a new week, too. Fans in Oxnard hoping to catch a glimpse of Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence may have to wait, Troy Aikman stopped by practice to share his expectations for the 2021 offense, Noah Brown and Sean McKeon get the player-profile treatment, slick grass during morning practices may become an issue, and Dan Quinn could become a breakout star when the Cowboys hit HBO. All that, plus a look at the remarkable Hall of Fame journey of Cowboys safety Cliff Harris, and Dez Bryant may not be done quite yet. Here’s your News and Notes.