Plenty of NFL coaches have questions about the WR. Matt Bowen
Is the hype surrounding Okie State WR Dez Bryant about to plummet?
When the reports surfaced this morning that Bryant would not work out at his pro day on campus in Stillwater, I started to ask around the league and find out what the true feelings are on what many consider the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in the draft.
We all know about the suspension Bryant had this past season in college, as well as the questionable reports about his dedication to the program, but that is often overlooked when it comes to straight talent leading up to the draft.
However, that isn’t exactly the overwhelming majority vote when you talk to people in the league.
I spoke with several NFL coaches today — as well as a high-level NFL executive — who think that drafting Bryant is a major risk. One coach even brought up the idea that Bryant is not the type of receiver who would catch the ball in between the numbers, which is the same thing as talking about a receiver who will not go across the middle of the field.
There is no denying that Bryant has raw talent, but whenever I brought up the idea of the WR going in the Top 15 of this April’s draft, it was met with resistance. Bryant is without a doubt a guy who can stretch the field vertically, and he has that playmaking ability to go up and get the football.
But, what about the red zone — where the field shrinks and defenses play with a much more physical style than out in the field? Will he show up?
What Bryant is trying to do by hosting a “private” pro day later in March in his hometown of Lufkin, Texas is create a “buzz” about him. It will be his show only, and he will be the main attraction for scouts.
However, what about the hamstring injury? The same hamstring injury he showed up at the Combine with? Scouts are very cautious when it comes to skill players with hamstring injuries. Is he the type of player that will pull up lame during the second week of camp? If he has a hamstring injury already, can he last a 16-game season in the pros?
On the flip side, this could be a case where a team gets a steal by drafting Bryant later in the first round, because when matched up against the other top WR prospects such as Brandon LaFell of LSU and Arrelious Benn of Illinois, Bryant is still considered first-round talent.
A team like New England at No. 22, which has questions at WR with the Wes Welker injury and the future of Randy Moss or a team like Dallas, which has an underachieving Roy Williams on the outside, at No. 27. Would Bryant be a welcome addition to those offenses?
Could he fall this far? Possibly, especially if he does not impress scouts at his workout at the end of March.
But, just like selling a house, it only takes one buyer come draft day. If he does slip, expect teams to be very interested in his services — especially if they can get him under contract at a discounted rate outside of the top 15.
Rookie WRs are risks regardless, not to mention when you catch that downward slope of hype leading up to the draft. Bryant needs to catch that positive wave in April to save his stock.
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The next Brandon Marshall? Why even take a chance on this guy?
Maybe Parcels takes a flyer on him and kicks his butt a little when he gets him in camp. Fish need a WR.
Have you herd this dude talk he's a retard.He's 1 of those poeple that get by in school just because of sports.He cant even form a proper sentence together.
He will still go in the top 15 picks because some GM and coach will think that he will fit their scheme.
Won't be a bust, but won't be a standout either. Just another over paid rookie.
Will be a top 10 pick guaranteed. The guy isn't interview for a speaking job, he will be asked to catch the football and score TDs, nothing more.
People overthink this stuff all the time. He will be a star WR for years.
Top 10 guaranteed Bob? Please, Guy still has to show scouts he can run at workout and red flags mean a lot when you are talking about top ten money.
"Have you herd this dude talk he's a retard.He's 1 of those poeple that get by in school just because of sports.He cant even form a proper sentence together."
You are the definition of Irony, so quit throwing stones from the shallow end of the Gene Pool.
Although I must admit, your last sentence was the cherry on top and made me laugh out loud.
@Ebliterate
People who write poorly on public boards should go easy on the criticisms. Let's parse this little gem:
"Have you herd this dude talk he's a retard.He's 1 of those poeple that get by in school just because of sports.He cant even form a proper sentence together."
Let's see what a proofreader would do with this. First, strike the word "retard." It's generally accepted to be scientifically inaccurate and derogatory. It is most often used by junior high students who don't like others but can't offer a cogent reason as to why.
But I digress. Here's how the paragraph should look, with corrections for grammar in italics:
"Have you he(a)rd this dude talk (?) ((H)e's a retard. (space needed here) He's (one) of those poeple (think you mean people) (who) that get(s) by in school just because of sports. (space) He can(')t even form a proper sentence together (remove together as it is redundant with "form")."
You don't thank me for the free lesson in spelling and grammar, but you might to think about denigrating other people when you so clearly have issues with basic spelling and writing.
Now go away and shut up.
@Bear Market: People who correct grammar on NFL forums should be rounded up like lepers.
Any thoughts on Dez or were you just waiting around for another typo? All that talk about proofreading, yet your's is the only post that makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Think I'd rather read spam.
Go play outside Mr. Market!
Lolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll@This lil bear nigg@
By all means gouge away. Don't let me stop you. And go on encouraging the hairy knuckle posters too.
Nice last post, Ebliterate. I'm assuming that last word is the one you really wanted to use when you called Dez a "retard."
Frankly I'm disappointed that the moderators allow that kind of language. I expect better on an intelligent site.
What is it about WRs anyway? Are they all crazy? This guy will probably be Michael Crabtree 2.0, holds out because he "should" have been a top five pick.
Little Obama, errr. Dez White can't speak without a teleprompter !
Ha ha, relax libs, just a joke, don't throw me in socialist jail.
Can we get back on track and get out of junior high?
Bryant a top 15 guy this April or not? I am going to say no... slips, but still goes before No. 25.
I know, you should see that video that YB has of him its hillarious!!!!!!! He sounds like BearMarket
I'm not a liberal, but I'm not a racist either, or a hater, and words like "retard" and nigg@ offend me and have no place on these boards. I would prefer that these board be like Thanksgiving dinner - no politics, no religion, and no ridiculous stereotypes, especially of the racial nature.
I would hope we could all agree on that.
ok
Bear.........methinks you may be a bit too enlightened to post on most sports blogs. This is usually the province of people with little else to do, and use it as a forum for personal issues or myoptic viewpoints.
No religion on Thanksgiving, BearMarket? Who on heaven or earth are you thanking?
I'm sure that Dez Bryant's actions will force many teams to slide him down a few slots on their draft board.
No religion on Thanksgiving, BearMarket? Who on heaven or earth are you thanking?
I'm sure that Dez Bryant's actions will force many teams to slide him down a few slots on their draft board.
Sorry for the double post.
He's going to be a good player yes is he a top ten wide out no. Then again I'm not a fan of drafting wide outs in the top ten or the top 16 of the first round. I'll say this though he'll be a good pro.
For you dummies that say Dez isn't a top 10 pick, you're stupid! and for the guy commenting on his articulation in speaking, I didn't see any i's dotted or t's crossed in your writing either stupid!! take a good look in the mirror before you talk about someone else
Why bother with a question mark? Any team with a mid to lo 1st rounder has opportunity to get a proven Brandon Marshall.
Of course Dez Bryant is a top 10 pick.
He is by far the best receiver in this draft. There's issues at Ok State and that's why he's scheduling a separate deal, period.
This is just a hack reporter trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.
As to not being able to speak well - how many of you can be interviewed on tv without looking stupid? hmmm --probably not a single person who made smart-aleck comments.
Dez IS proven - start watching some Big 12 football if you want to see offense.
Dez was a second-team academic all-Big 12 selection. Not sure about his public speaking abilities though.
Dez was a second-team academic all-Big 12 selection. Not sure about his public speaking abilities though.
Marcopo, I've got to completely agree with you on Brandon Marshall over Bryant at 16-32...statistically unlikely that Bryant becomes Marshall's equal as a pro, and given their off-field concerns as well, better the devil you know...
Hey Nanc,
"Hack Reporter?" Guy who played in the league for 7 years and basis his post on what NFL coaches say...
Please dude. Don't be so sensitive about your boy Dez.
He cant even form a proper sentence together."
SNAKE!!!!!
Did you really say this?
Ebliterate's post is great. You literary critics completely missed his point.
Ebliterate's post is great. You literary critics completely missed his point.
Does anybody remember Randy Moss?He slid way down to the Vikes.I don't remember what pick he was but a lot of teams kicked themseves for not drafting him.
BearMarket; You sure sound like a liberal. If certain words "offend you" why don't you just stop reading this forum instead of nagging others to change their writing styles to suit your tastes?
While not nearly as sensitive about words, I agree with bear market in regards to posting here. Let the jiberish, porn sites and all that other crap stay over at FoxSports. Intelligent conversation draws more intelligent posters with observations and commentary someone would want to read.
Leave Race and politics to the non-sports blogs.
As for Bryant, I like his game, but find myself questioning everything else about him. Agree with the Crabtree 2.0 comparison. He's got the same mentor (Deion Sanders) and same agent as Crabtree.
He might be the first player I've seen successfully leverage NCAA rules against the NFL's 'three year rule' to manage to sit out a needless season in college until he's eligible for the NFL draft. He managed to negotiate a season long suspension by being dishonest in his interviews with NCAA investigators. So he eliminated the prospect of a career damaging injury in what amounted to a meaningless college season.
So somehow he still manages to injure a hamstring that conveniently precludes him from doing anything at the combine, then opts out of the OKST pro day in favor of his very own "I love me some me" day in his home town. He was the only person scouts were coming to see at OKST anyway, so this just adds to the suspect off-field attitude and behavior.
wont get past dallas
Bryant is the next Mike Williams (the USC one whom Mel Kiper declared the best player in the draft and the Lions took over DeMarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, and Derrick Johnson). Good luck with whoever picks Bryant because I know it won't be Martin Mayhew.
DUDE THE N WORD COMMENT WAS NOT COOL AT ALL AND DEZ TALENT WILL SPEAK FOR HIM HE DID NOT MAKE IT THIS FAR BY SURE LUCK HE WAS GOOD IN HIGH SCHOOL ,COLLEGE AND HE WILL BE A DAMN GOOD PRO (HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS DEZ AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO NEVER PLAYED SPORTS AND DID NOT HAVE THE TALENT TO MAKE IT TO THE LEAGUE
to the guy who says these guys are paid to put td on the board and nothing less..
If the guy is too stupid to learn the play book he will not be in the right spot and the ball will be incomplete or intercepted you knob..
running 40 yards down the field every play is simple but nfl offenses are more complicated and a lot of rookie wr cannot figure it out and fade away..
Think Chad JAckson who was considered a 1st round talent , a freak,caught everything in florida, blew up the combine..
he fell out of the 1st round and the patriots traded up to get him in early in the second..
A million hamstring and groin injuries later he finally got on the field and couldnt figure out were to be.. He was cut picked up by denver, cut, and is now out of football....
mike williams was another great example, he isnt worth the risk these diva wr's are all trouble even if they put up points .. Cough Cough randy Moss
"his very own 'I love me some me' day" - Hilarious! And speaks to his true nature. Remember that Randy Moss had to have his ego tempered quite a bit with a very enjoyable stint in Oakland (please note sarcasm!). Whoever picks him up in the first round will be sorely disappointed, beause it will be all about him. Then, Oakland or Detroit will host him for a few years, and then, around year 7 or 8, he will be a standout; living up to his potential after facing the fact he is just one player on a TEAM.
This young man is all that he appears to be. He played football with my son in high school and is good man. Any NFL team would be fortunate to have him.All the negativity is hard to listen to because my family and I have been watching Dez play football since pop warner. My advice to the NFL coaches who are intrested you will be licking your chops and headed for the superbowl one day with this one. LUFKIN SUPPORTS YOU DEZ AND PRAYING GOD ANSWERS ALL OF YOURS PRAYERS.
I love how everone talks down to Dez. I went to school with this kid and he is pretty amazing. And who ever said that he is the one who only gets by cause of sports is wroooong. Lufkin is a very tight school district. To play you must pass, and with talent like what dez bryant has coach outlaw will do everything for him to play. Even if that means getting him a tuttor.
I see the Raiders picking him!!!!! lmao
Dez Bryant is going to be just fine. He has all the talent in the world. He is going to be a star.
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Mar 09, 2010
05:05 PM
That visor has to be shaded by medical necessity for a pro to wear it? What of his vision? Answer the details before making that move.