Why the Dez to Green Bay hype needs to stop
Former Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Dez Bryant was released from the team Friday per ESPN NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer & later was confirmed by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Shefter via Twitter. This brought about questions regarding what teams could possibly use Bryant’s services. Among those teams was the Green Bay Packers. Analysts and some fans alike were thinking he could be a possible replacement for Jordy Nelson. That sounds like a great idea, right? Let’s dive a bit deeper into it.
Over the last seven years with the Cowboys, Bryant has accumulated a total of 531 receptions for 7,459 yards, and 73 touchdowns at an average of 14.0 yards per catch in 113 career games (99 starts). With Green Bay in ten years, Jordy Nelson had a total of 7,848 yards, and 69 touchdowns at an average of 14.3 yards per catch in 136 career games (88 starts). Not that much of a difference stat wise. While I definitely understand why people are saying he could be a possible replacement for Nelson, I just can’t see him and Rodgers having as good of a connection. Nelson was also 33 years old when Green Bay released him. Bryant is soon to be 30 years old and will most likely be asking a hefty price tag. With Green Bay already using 30M in cap on Jimmy Graham, I just don’t know how they’d end up signing a guy like Bryant as well to the roster. It’d be much easier just to get a wide receiver in the draft. Also, Bryant has had a bit of an attitude problem with Dallas, something I don’t want in the locker room. He has this “it’s all about me” persona that I believe won’t vibe very well in Green Bay.
Nelson never had that while with the Packers. He was a complete team player. Never cared about individual stats and greatness. He Only wanted his team to succeed and tried with all of his effort as an individual player to make that happen. The biggest moment of the “team player” mentality that Nelson had came in the 2016 NFC Championship game against Atlanta.
Nelson had fractured his ribs two games prior against the Giants in the NFC Wild Card game at Lambeau Field. Nobody thought he would end up even suiting up for the game, much less play in it. That’s exactly what he did. He actually had a pretty impressive stat line all told. Six total receptions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown. Rodgers was asked about it after the game and said: “Yeah, I mean I’m so proud of Jordy.” “It’s incredible that he was out there.” That right there epitomized the connection built between them both as players and individuals.
Nelson was Rodgers’ go-to guy on offense. Nobody will be able to replicate what they did as a QB-WR tandem on the field in Green Bay, not even Dez Bryant. Although he may be able to bring some production to Green Bay’s offense out wide as a receiver, I just don’t think he’ll mesh as well with Rodgers as Nelson did. That takes time and effort. So while it’s great to think Bryant coming to Green Bay would solve the wide receiver problem all together, in reality, it won’t — even when a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers is throwing to you. Their connection is something that cannot be duplicated nor replaced and is something that will be sorely missed in Green Bay in 2018 & beyond.
#ParkerMoes @ParkerMoes #DHPF. @DieHardPackrFan
