Mandatory camp has kicked off for the defending NFC East champs, and 89 out of 90 players were on board to work towards a repeat. The one missing player was of course one of the biggest receiving threats in the NFL, Dez Bryant.
Bryant has been taking part in the ever so unproductive realm of the contract holdout. Players who know they are a valuable asset to a team refuse to show their face until their desired price tag is met. While holdouts seldom work, Bryant is set on holding out, even if it means extending his absence into the regular season.
According to multiple sources, Bryant is threatening to hold out of week one of the 2015 regular season if he is not signed to a long-term deal. Bryant received the franchise tag on March 3, and is seeking a deal to keep him in Dallas for the long haul. Since his holdout officially began, contract talks were said to have been slow between the two sides.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett spoke to the media today and assured that Bryant and the Cowboys would be together and off to work in due time. “It doesn’t concern me one bit,” Garrett told the Dallas Morning News when asked about the near future of the two sides.
While Garrett says that Bryant’s absence is not concerning, one has to wonder just how big of an impact the wide-out’s absence will bring. In 2014, Bryant racked up 1,320 receiving yards and found the endzone 16 times. Some are only left to wonder how far the 2014 Cowboys could have gone if his biggest catch that never happened were ruled differently.
There is no doubt that Bryant’s production on the field is a major part of the Cowboys successful 2014 campaign. As quarterback Tony Romo continues to add years to his body, it is important that he maintains a healthy rhythm with his number one target, starting with mini camp where the off-season rust is typically shaken off. If Romo and the Cowboys don’t see Bryant until after week one, the “practice” phase of the Cowboys season will undoubtedly start just a little too late.
Another huge concern comes via the loss of leading rusher Demarco Murray. Murray, who had 392 carries in 2014, joined the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving many questions about the Cowboys offense. Without their number one rusher, how many offensive plays will shift from run plays to pass plays? This would be a perfect time to answer that question, however Bryant’s no-show puts a delay on that evaluation.
Not only is Bryant’s on-field production missed, but his simple presence also leaves a void in Arlington. NFL Network reports that wide receiver Cole Beasly noted that practices have been much more quiet and missing the energy that Bryant brings.
As the Redskins look to bounce back, the Giants look to take advantage of their dangerous receiving core, and the Eagles look to follow Chip Kelly’s master plan, the Cowboys will have much to catch up on if their star receiver continues to sit at home.
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