Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys

Last week: 15 (+0)

Record: 1-1

Coming off an emotional week 1 win, it was reasonable and predictable that the Cowboys would be flat in Seattle. However, they wouldn’t have even won week 1 if it wasn’t for Tony Romo bailing them out time after time, in spite of all the penalties. This team needs to clean up the stupid mistakes that they’ve made in each of the first 2 games if they want to make the playoffs. The good news is, the Cowboys rank 4th in the league in yards per play differential.

Studs

C Ryan Cook: Did not allow a pressure on 41 pass block snaps

MLB Sean Lee: Allowed 5 catches for 34 yards on 5 attempts, 14 tackles, 1 assist, 8 stops, 1 missed tackle

CB Brandon Carr: Did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

Duds

RB DeMarco Murray: Run blocked for 44 yards (21 after contact) on 12 carries, 2 broken tackles, allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 10 pass block snaps, caught 4 passes for 31 yards on 4 targets

LT Tyron Smith: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 41 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 10 yards on 3 attempts

RT Doug Free: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 41 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 2 carries

TE Jason Witten: Caught 4 passes for 58 yards on 11 attempts on 36 pass snaps, 6.0 YAC per catch, 3 drops, 1 interception when thrown to

WR Dez Bryant: Caught 3 passes for 18 yards on 7 attempts on 41 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Cowboys rule Jay Ratliff, Phil Costa out

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

When the Cowboys take on the Seahawks this week, they will be without the middle of both their offensive and defensive lines and nose tackle Jay Ratliff and center Phil Costa have been ruled out. Ratliff missed the opener as well with a high ankle sprain. In his absence, defensive end Sean Lissemore played more inside, while Josh Price-Brent got the start at nose tackle. The Cowboys played well on the defensive line and were able to hold the Giants to 17 points. Jason Hatcher had a huge game with 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback pressures, but if he hadn’t done that, they would have missed Ratliff a lot more. Ratliff was ProFootballFocus’ 7th rated defensive tackle last year and he is expected back next week.

Costa, meanwhile, had been having back troubles throughout the preseason, but started anyway week 1. He had to leave after reinjuring his back and will not play this week. Ryan Cook, who was acquired from the Dolphins for a late round pick right before final cuts, stepped in for him last week and will get the start once again. He represents a weakness on the offensive line for the Cowboys, as do new starters Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings. Livings was awful in 2011 with the Bengals and Bernadeau is a career backup and former 7th round pick so I have no idea why the Cowboys paid him starter’s money to start for them. The Seahawks’ defensive line is stout in the middle and stout against the run, so DeMarco Murray could have a tough time establishing himself this week. The NFL’s 6th ranked run defense last year, they held Arizona to 43 yards on 20 carries in the opener.

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Dallas Cowboys extend 3-4 DE Sean Lissemore

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Off-Season, Cowboys, Offseason Moves 2012

Lissemore was a 7th round pick in 2010 and had 2 years (including this one) left on his rookie deal. The Cowboys have tacked on an extra 3 years, 6 million onto his deal, with 3.1 million guaranteed. This is the 2nd time in as many seasons that the Cowboys have attempted to get ahead of the curve and give a player an extension before they broke out because the team felt they were headed for a breakout year. Last year, they gave Orlando Scandrick a 5 year, 27 million dollar extension with 10 million guaranteed.

This deal is far less head scratching. For one, it’s far less money so they’re taking a far smaller risk if Lissemore doesn’t pan out like they think he will. Two, Lissemore is coming off a strong season as a situational player, whereas Scandrick struggled some on the slot in 2010, before getting his extension. For some reason, the Cowboys thought that made him a good bet to be a long term starter at cornerback.

However, just one year later they were proven wrong as Scandrick failed to take the next step and the team had to use a lot of resources to add two new cornerbacks in Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne this offseason. Now Scandrick is stuck behind those two for the foreseeable future and the Cowboys are stuck being an average slot cornerback a lot of money yearly. In the opener, he played just 27 of 56 snaps, which is about what you can expect from him long term.

Lissemore, however, played very well as a situational player last year. In 2011, he had a 13.8 rating on just 283 snaps on ProFootballFocus. He wasn’t much of a pass rusher, but he had 18 solo tackles, 8 assists and 16 stops on just 119 run defense snaps, while missing only 2 tackles. He was ProFootballFocus’ 3rd rated 3-4 defensive end against the run, behind Ray McDonald and Glenn Dorsey. He played all over the line, both end spots and nose tackle, and will have a bigger role this season. We’ll see if the added playing time will help or hurt him, but I named him as my potential breakout player for the Cowboys early in the season.

Lissemore played 27 of 56 snaps in the opener and only one defensive lineman played more. He’ll probably see slightly fewer snaps when Jay Ratliff returns, but if he continues to play well, as he did in the opener, he could lock down that 3rd starting defensive lineman job next to Jason Hatcher and Jay Ratliff by season’s end, something they desperately need someone to do, and if he does that, he’ll end up being well worth this contract long term. If he doesn’t, it’s not a huge risk and Lissemore could still end up being a valuable rotational player.

Grade: A

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks: Week 2 NFL Pick

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Picks, 2012 Week 2 NFL Picks, Cowboys, Seahawks

Dallas Cowboys (1-0) at Seattle Seahawks (0-1)

No team has a bigger home/road disparity over the past few years than the Seattle Seahawks. Since 2007, they’re 11-32 SU and 14-28 ATS on the road, but 24-18 SU and 27-14 ATS at home. That’s why it was predictable that they would lose to an inferior Cardinals team on the road last week; that’s why it’s now predictable that they’ll bounce back at home against a superior Cowboys team.

Speaking of that superior Cowboys team, they got a huge win last week over the New York Giants. Since the NFL started having teams play on Thursday Night to start the season (this year it was Wednesday night because of some stupid political thing), teams that win that game are 2-6 ATS the following week. The Packers almost lost to the Panthers the following week last year and they started 13-0.

Now, all 8 of the teams that won the opener have been Super Bowl champs, but it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with whether or not you’re defending Super Bowl champs. Teams that lose that game are also 2-6 ATS the following week. It’s an emotional game for both sides, for the defending Super Bowl champ because they get a big celebration and get their rings and for the opponent because they want to knock off the champs, especially after watching them celebrate and get their rings.

Besides, teams are 16-27 ATS since 2002 after knocking off the defending Super Bowl champ, regardless of week. Teams typically give everything they have when they play the Super Bowl champs and after getting an emotional win, it becomes very tough for them to sustain that energy the following week, so they’re typically flat and also typically slightly overrated coming off a huge win.

This should be true for the Cowboys. They gave the Giants everything they had last week, in an effort to not just knock off the Super Bowl champs, but to also try to establish dominance over a divisional foe who had recently had their number and just last season ended their season. It’s going to be very tough for them to sustain that kind of energy against the “lowly” Seahawks, who just lost to the Cardinals.

Besides, even though they won last week, it wasn’t quite as impressive as people are making it seem. The Giants may have been defending Super Bowl champs, but they were also the worst regular season team, in terms of win and point differential, to ever win the Super Bowl and the Cowboys only won because Tony Romo played one of the best games of his career and would not let the Cowboys destroy themselves with penalties. This week, that probably won’t happen and if they continue to commit tons of penalties, they could easily lose.

Now on to the “lowly” Seahawks. Their road/home disparity makes them a little underrated here. Their loss last week to an inferior squad was predictable, but they still have a strong defense and they still can run the ball and win if they don’t turn the ball over much, especially at home. They’re not some easy opponent that’s just going to roll over in Seattle (since 2007, they’re 12-4 ATS as home dogs of 3+). Last week, they were road favorites, normally the sign of a strong team and this week they’re home dogs, normally the sign of a week team. That seems like an overreaction based on one week.

A trend that sums this situation up nicely is this one: teams that lose as road favorites are 45-34 ATS since 1989 as home dogs the following week. This makes sense. Last week, they were good enough to be road favorites and now after just one week they’re bad enough to be home dogs? That’s an overreaction and the public is definitely overreacting to one week as almost all of the action is on the Cowboys in this one. I’m not going to overreact to one week. I’m going to pick the Seahawks to predictably bounce back at home after predictably flopping on the road against a Cowboys team that is publicly overrated and will overlook them following a huge, emotional victory.

Public lean: Dallas (new thing I’m adding, siding with the odds makers on bets is not a bad thing to do since they make so much money, so I’m listing this here to allow readers to “fade” the public, if they so choose, in this example, the odds makers win if Seattle covers)

Seattle Seahawks 24 Dallas Cowboys 20 Upset Pick +155

Pick against spread: Seattle +3 (+115) 4 units

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Dallas Cowboys: 2012 Week 2 Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys

Last week: 17 (+2)

Record: 1-0

The Cowboys beat the Giants because Tony Romo had one of the best games of his career. However, they committed 13 penalties, which could have easily derailed them, but Tony Romo wouldn’t let it happen and kept coming up with big throw after big throw. They’ll be right in the NFC East mix, where all 4 teams are evenly matched, but they’ll have to clean that up.

Studs

QB Tony Romo: 22 of 29 for 307 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 109.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured 12 times

RB DeMarco Murray: 132 yards rushing (93 after contact) on 20 carries, 2 broken tackles, 2 catches for 9 yards on 2 targets

WR Kevin Ogletree: 8 catches for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 targets on 22 passing snaps, 1 interception when thrown at, 4.5 YAC per catch

RE Jason Hatcher: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hits, and 4 quarterback pressures on 29 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles and 2 stops on 14 run stop snaps, 1 penalty

ROLB DeMarcus Ware: 2 sacks and 3 quarterback pressures on 27 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops on 20 run stop snaps, 1 penalty

RILB Sean Lee: 10 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops on 20 run stop snaps, 6 completions for 39 yards allowed on 6 attempts

P Chris Jones: 2 punts for 108 yards, 1 return for 5 yards, 51.5 net yards per punt, 2 of 2 inside the 20

Duds

LT Tyron Smith: 3 quarterback pressures allowed, 4 penalties committed, run blocked for 15 yards on 3 carries

TE Jason Witten: 2 catches for 10 yards on 3 targets on 21 passing snaps, 2 penalties, 1.5 YAC per catch

RT Doug Free: 3 quarterback pressures allowed, 2 penalties committed, run blocked for 7 yards on 1 carry

FS Gerald Sensabaugh: 1 solo tackle, 2 missed tackles, wasn’t thrown on

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants Week 1 NFL Pick

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Picks, 2012 Week 1 NFL Picks, Cowboys, Giants

Dallas Cowboys (0-0) at New York Giants (0-0)

Buy tickets for this game

I might be the biggest Giants doubter left out there. I believe that this is not an elite team, but a very good team that can get hot and play like an elite team for stretches. They did that down the stretch last season, but I think this season, we’re going to see them play like they normally play, pretty well, but not good enough to be considered among the elite teams in the league. That being said, this line is absolutely ridiculous. The Giants are -3.5 at home against the Cowboys, who they beat twice in 4 weeks last season, hanging 68 points on them, while allowing just 48. This line suggests that Cowboys are just a half point better than the Giants (add 3 for home field advantage).

Part of that is just that the Cowboys are being very overrated right now, once again. They’re a frequently overrated team because of their name and their status as America’s team, but they never seem to meet expectations and I think this season will be another instance of that. Their interior offensive line still sucks. In fact, it might be worse with Nate Livings, one of the worst interior offensive lineman in the league last year, coming in at left guard and at right guard, it will be Mackenzy Bernadeau, a career backup and former 7th round pick randomly given a starter’s salary and starting job in Dallas this offseason. Kyle Kosier and Montrae Holland are gone and, as strange as it might sound, they might miss those two. Phil Costa, one of the worst centers in the league last year, returns, unfortunately.

They also lack depth in the receiving corps and at running back. The former is more important in this game because Jason Witten is unlikely to play. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are likely to play, after both dealt with injuries in the preseason, but it’s very concerning that the latter’s injury was a hamstring problem. Those things tend to linger and affect your ability to play at your normal level of play even if you do play. Austin missed 6 games with hamstring problems last year and was limited to just 43 catches for 579 yards and 7 touchdowns in 10 games last year, well off his career averages. Behind Bryant, Austin, and Witten, their backup receivers have a combined 37 career catches. John Phillips, who has 22 of those, will get the start in Witten’s likely absence, which is a major downgrade, both as a pass catcher and as a run blocker. Jason Witten is frequently one of the best run blocking tight ends in the league.

The Cowboys lack of depth at running back is notable because starter DeMarco Murray has injury issues dating back to his days at the University of Oklahoma. His primary backup is Felix Jones, but he’s never proven he can handle the load when given a chance to start and he’ll probably get hurt before Murray, given his history. The Cowboys added two new cornerbacks, Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, after getting torched by the Giants last season, but only the latter will have much of a positive impact in this game. Rookie cornerbacks like Claiborne tend to take a year or so to get up to NFL speed. Even Patrick Peterson really struggled in coverage last year. Claiborne probably won’t have a very good 1st game in the NFL, which is notable because the Giants have two great receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. They won’t be able to contain both. The safety position and defensive line, especially with Jay Ratliff hurt, are also weaknesses and they still lack a complimentary pass rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware, so defense is still a problem and the Giants should be able to move the ball pretty easily.

The Giants are dealing with their own injuries at left tackle and cornerback, but it’s not a huge issue because they dealt with injuries there last year and still won the Super Bowl. The latter is not much of a concern at all. Yes, with William Beatty expected out, Sean Locklear is going to have his hands full with DeMarcus Ware, but Eli Manning, like his brother is one of the best in the league at throwing under pressure and avoiding sacks. Eli Manning’s under pressure accuracy percentage (doesn’t count drops, throw aways, hit as throwns, spikes, or batted passes) was 70.3% last season, which led the league. Meanwhile, his sack percentage (sacks per pressured drop back) was 12.4%, only behind Michael Vick. It’s because of this that he was able to win the Super Bowl despite having the worst offensive line in the league in terms of pass blocking efficiency. For example, Eli Manning was under pressure from DeMarcus Ware 12 times in 2 games last year with David Diehl starting in place of an injured Beatty, but only took 2 sacks. Eli will neutralize Ware again.

The injury at cornerback is slightly more concerning. Yes, Terrell Thomas missed all of last season with injury and Prince Amukamara, who is expected to miss this game with injury, didn’t have much of an impact as a rookie. Aaron Ross is gone, meaning Michael Coe will step into the starting lineup. Ross wasn’t great, so it’s not a major downgrade from what the Giants threw at the Cowboys last season, but up until the playoffs, the Giants didn’t really do a good job of stopping anyone. They allowed 25.0 points per game, including 24 per to the Cowboys in their two meetings and that was after they had their trio of defensive ends mostly healthy (Umenyiora did miss the first game). The Cowboys will be able to move the ball pretty well.

This is going to be a shootout, but the question is, can the Cowboys beat up with the Giants? I don’t think so. The Cowboys’ offensive line will be overwhelmed by the Giants pass rush and unlike Manning, Romo isn’t quite as bulletproof under pressure. His under pressure accuracy was 64.6% last year, pretty good, but not as good as Manning. His also took a sack on 20.5% of pressured snaps, 7th worst in the NFL. The Giants will get to him for a few sacks and stall a few drives and keep him pressured really for most of the evening. Both teams will be able to run the ball pretty well with good talent at running back. The Giants had the worse run defense last year, 4.5 YPC, and are now missing Chris Canty for the year, a talented starter for them last year at defensive tackle. The Cowboys allowed 4.1 YPC, but they’re also missing top defensive tackle Jay Ratliff have the worse interior offensive line so they won’t be able to fully take advantage of the Giants’ struggles against the run. Both teams will run pretty well, but neither team will distinguish itself from the other on the ground.

When it comes down to it, I like Eli Manning to outplay Tony Romo in this one once again. It’ll be a high scoring affair, but I think the Giants have the better team and they always seem to have the Cowboys’ number, beating them in 5 of their last 6 matchups. They also play much better football in the 1st half of the season, going 47-17 in their first 8 games under Tom Coughlin, as opposed to 27-37 in their last 8. Through week 9, they’re 40-25 ATS under Coughlin.

The Giants also have the situational edge as they’re playing in a “stand alone” week 1 game as defending Super Bowl Champs. Since the NFL started the traditional of having defending Super Bowl champions play in a week 1 “stand alone” game at home in 2002 (first on Monday Night Football, then Thursday Night Football, and this year on Wednesday Night Football because of some stupid political crap), the defending champ is 10-0 and covers 7 out of 10 times. Teams are normally very emotional and amped up after the pregame celebration and that translates to the field in a positive manner. I don’t think the Giants will break tradition here and I am fairly certain they will win and cover.

Prediction: New York Giants 31 Dallas Cowboys 20

Pick against spread: NY Giants -3.5 (-110) 4 units

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Cowboys’ Jason Witten to be game time call week 1

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

Though original reports said he’d be doubtful, the Cowboys now feel that Jason Witten will be a game time call for their week 1 clash against the Giants next Wednesday, according to the Cowboys’ official website. Witten lacerated his spleen in the Cowboys’ 2nd preseason game against the Raiders, but took it easy for a few days and it healed without surgery. Witten is now trying to work his way back for the Cowboys’ early week 1 game and it sounds like things are going well. Witten, one of the toughest and most durable players in the league, hasn’t missed a game since 2003, his rookie year, when he missed only one game with a broken jaw.

Even if Witten doesn’t end up suiting up week 1, this is very good news. It very likely means that Witten will miss one game max and it sounds like he will almost definitely be out there week 2, actually 11 days after their week 1 opener against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. An incredibly consistent producer, Witten has between 64 catches for 754 yards and 96 catches for 1145 yards in every season since 2004 and is averaging 5.16 catches for 59.07 yards and 0.31 touchdowns per game in that time period. Over 15 games, that’s 77 catches for 886 yards and 5 touchdowns. That’s not a bad year at all. You can safely draft him as your TE1 in fantasy. Even if he misses one game, tight end is a deep enough position that you can pick someone up off waivers for just one game and get decent production.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (standard league, draft day Sunday at 3 PM ET, 2 spots left). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Miami Dolphins trade C Ryan Cook to the Dallas Cowboys

stevenlourie Cowboys, Dolphins, News

Trade for Cowboys: The Cowboys are clearly desperate for interior offensive line help. After losing both of their starting guards this offseason, the Cowboys replaced them with Nate Livings, an inferior player who really struggled in Cincinnati last year, and Mackenzy Bernadeau, a career backup who has yet to nail down a starting job thanks to injuries. 2011 4th round pick David Arkin is believed to be the favorite to start week 1 at right guard, with Bernadeau remaining a backup despite already getting paid a 3.25 million dollar signing bonus. Meanwhile, at center, Phil Costa, who really struggled last year, missed time this preseason and is questionable for week 1 with back problems.

Ryan Cook is a versatile offensive lineman who can provide depth inside for them. He only played 21 snaps as the Dolphins’ backup center last year, but he used to be a starter both at right tackle and right guard for the Vikings a few years ago, though he was pretty mediocre. The Cowboys will be in trouble on the interior offensive line if he has to get significant playing time, especially at center where he isn’t as experienced, but they might be in trouble anyway. This deal makes some sense and the Cowboys are only giving him a 7th round pick for someone owed about a million this season. I just don’t know is Cook is any better than someone they could have snatched up after final cuts.

Grade: B

Trade for Dolphins: Cook might have been a final cut and, even if he wasn’t, he doesn’t play a big role for them. He played just 21 snaps last season and the Dolphins like undrafted rookie Josh Samuda to be their primary backup for Mike Pouncey. I think they got the better end of this deal, cutting a million from their payroll and picking up a late round pick.

Grade: A

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (standard league, draft day Sunday at 3 PM ET, 2 spots left). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Cowboys’ Jay Ratliff suffers high ankle sprain

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

Every year, there are injuries in the preseason. It’s inevitable. No matter how hard you try, guys are going to get hurt when you play 4 football games. You just have to hope they aren’t serious ones to serious players. One team hit a lot by injuries this preseason has been the Dallas Cowboys. Now they have another one to add to that list as nose tackle Jay Ratliff left their 3rd preseason game with what’s since been diagnosed as a high ankle sprain. Ratliff, ProFootballFocus’ 7th ranked defensive tackle last year, is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, which puts his status for week 1 in serious doubt. The Cowboys might not see him until week 2 or 3.

The Cowboys have suffered other injuries this preseason. Miles Austin has missed time with hamstring problems and, while he’s expected to play week 1, hamstring injuries tend to linger and Austin missed 6 games and was limited to just 43 catches for 579 yards and 7 touchdowns last year in the 10 games he did play because of hamstring problems. Jason Witten, who hasn’t missed a game since 2003, his rookie year, is questionable for week 1 after lacerating his spleen in preseason action. Dez Bryant, meanwhile, hurt his knee, but he appears to be fine. Their lack of receiving depth could really be exposed. Their backup wide receivers and tight ends have combined for 47 career catches.

The Cowboys have also suffered many injuries on the interior of their offensive line, where they were weak to begin with. Starting center Phil Costa missed the whole preseason with back problems, though he’s expected to play this week and be ready for the opener. David Arkin, Mackenzy Bernadeau, and Bill Nagy have also had injuries, with Nagy’s injury leading to his release. He signed with the Lions. For a team whose interior offensive line was weak to begin with, injuries are definitely not a good thing. On the defensive side of the ball, Mike Jenkins is expected to begin the season on the PUP, while Morris Claiborne dealt with some injuries and had what was described as a “frustrating” Training Camp.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Cowboys put Dez Bryant on strict “secret” probation

stevenlourie Cowboys, News

The Dallas Cowboys took a chance on Dez Bryant in the 1st round, 24th overall, in 2010. Bryant was a top-10 talent who fell for character reasons and the results have been mixed. Bryant has had several off the field controversies, including one arrest for domestic abuse of his mother (that was eventually dropped), and on the field, he hasn’t always lived up to his physical gifts as he’s struggled to learn the playbook, run routes, and stay in shape. In spite of all that, Bryant caught 63 passes for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns last year, mostly on his athletic gifts. Heading into his 3rd season in the league, Bryant has had a good offseason on the field and looks poised for a breakout year. A receiver’s 3rd year in the league is often a breakout year.

The Cowboys are being extra cautious with Bryant after his arrest though and, according to ESPN Dallas, they have put him on a strict “secret” probation, though I guess it’s not really a secret anymore. Under the terms of this probation, Bryant has a midnight curfew which he needs team official approval to break, he cannot drink alcohol or attend strip clubs, he can only attend nightclubs if they are team approved and he has his security team with him, his rotating 3 man security team will go with him everywhere he goes in public (at least one at all times) and drive him to practice, games, and team functions, and he must attend twice weekly counseling sessions (and you thought your workplace rules were rough).

As rough as all that is, I applaud the Cowboys for being strict and disciplined with him. It’s a privilege, not a right, to play in the National Football League and a very high, prestigious, and much sought after privilege. If he doesn’t want to play in the NFL, he doesn’t have to, but from what it sounds like, playing in the NFL is worth all this trouble to him. They may be treating him like a child, but some of the things he’s done over the past few years (from stupid, to lazy, to illegal) have been childish. The Cowboys made a big investment in him and want to make sure it pays off. If the discipline works, Bryant could easily become a top-5 receiver in the NFL.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]