Kevin Crompton – Sports Editor
The Dallas Cowboys all-time leader in touchdown receptions — gone. Dez Bryant was cut from the Cowboys roster Friday April, 13. I’m not sure if Dez is superstitious but losing your job on that date must feel a bit eerie.
It should have come as no surprise to anyone who follows the Cowboys however, it’s still a disappointment nonetheless. To put it simply, Bryant has flat out failed to produce receiver one numbers.
When Dallas drafted the Oklahoma State receiver in 2010 he didn’t post jaw-dropping numbers, but the Cowboys knew they had an aggressive, big-bodied receiver who could high-point the football with the best of them. Fast-forward two years and Dez is in his prime. In 2012, Bryant had his first 1,000-yard plus season (1,382). The following year, he surpasses 1,000 yards for the second time and records a career high 93 receptions. Come 2014, Dez has himself what I believe to be his best season of his career. Eighty-eight receptions, 1,320 receiving yards and 16 touchdown receptions — a league high that season.
Post 2014 season Jerry Jones and the Cowboys give Bryant a contract extension. Something any organization would do after you lead the league in touchdown receptions. Tony Romo breaks his collar bone (twice) in 2015 and Bryant’s numbers suffer drastically. Dez battled his own injuries only starting in nine games that season however, even when healthy, it was clear he was not the same receiver without Romo.
Next year Romo goes down in preseason and Dak Prescott takes over. People will say what they want about Tony Romo and his lack of playoff wins, but Romo and Dez had impeccable on-field chemistry. Romo gave Dez opportunities and Dez was coming down with catches that seemed impossible. Dak is a first-class quarterback but he’s a different quarterback than Romo. The friendship and respect for one another was there with Dak and Dez but the on-field chemistry was not even close to what Dez and Romo had. I would have liked to wait one more season to see if Dak and Dez could have figured things out but it’s evident that Cowboys front office is not as patient as I am. They are moving in a new direction with Ezekiel Elliot and Prescott, and when you factor in the business end of things the Dallas Cowboys decision to cut their all-time receiver in touchdown grabs is justifiable.