Cowboys WR Dez Bryant feels great, expects to return punts

[Bonecrusher#31]

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant feels great, expects to return punts
By
David Moore / Reporter

dmoore@dallasnews.com | Bio

1:59 PM on Fri., Oct. 14, 2011 | Permalink

Dez Bryant didn't have much to say Friday.

But the Cowboys receiver, on his way to the weight room, acknowledged that his bruised thigh feels great. Asked if he's at 100 percent, Bryant replied, "you can say that.''

Bryant bruised his quadriceps in the season opener returning a punt against the New York Jets. He hasn't returned a punt since.

That should change Sunday.

"Yeah, I'm going to do some,'' Bryant said.

 

[NoDak]

The only way I'd use Bryant on punt returns is if they are pinned deep and the game situation warranted it. Like if we are down late and need an electric return. Other then that, I don't risk him. I'll be more than happy with somebody faircatching at the 50 if they are pinned deep, or getting a 5-10 yard return anywhere else on the field. Harris has looked decent returning punts. I'd leave the job with him.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

The only way I'd use Bryant on punt returns is if they are pinned deep and the game situation warranted it. Like if we are down late and need an electric return. Other then that, I don't risk him. I'll be more than happy with somebody faircatching at the 50 if they are pinned deep, or getting a 5-10 yard return anywhere else on the field. Harris has looked decent returning punts. I'd leave the job with him.

Yea i agree. I would prefer to keep Bryant off the punt unit, but the guy is too explosive not take advantage of his talent.

 

[Jon88]

How many more times does he need to get hurt returning punts/kicks? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this last injury come from a punt return? WTF.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

How many more times does he need to get hurt returning punts/kicks? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this last injury come from a punt return? WTF.

How exactly on PR did he hurt himself? I'm just asking, because he could just as easily get hurt playing WR. In fact, he has a better chance of getting hurt playing WR than he does at PR.

 

[Theebs]

How exactly on PR did he hurt himself? I'm just asking, because he could just as easily get hurt playing WR. In fact, he has a better chance of getting hurt playing WR than he does at PR.

He was lost for the season last year at Indy on a kick return, and injured his quad in the second qtr against the jets in week 1 returning a punt. He was hit going down and out of bounds against the jets...the Indy kickoff was kind of a pile and he broke his ankle..

 

[Jon88]

How exactly on PR did he hurt himself? I'm just asking, because he could just as easily get hurt playing WR. In fact, he has a better chance of getting hurt playing WR than he does at PR.

He was lost for the season last year at Indy on a kick return, and injured his quad in the second qtr against the jets in week 1 returning a punt. He was hit going down and out of bounds against the jets...the Indy kickoff was kind of a pile and he broke his ankle..

There's much higher chance of getting hurt when you have 11 guys trying to rip your head off.

 

[dbair1967]

There's much higher chance of getting hurt when you have 11 guys trying to rip your head off.

Well unless there's some different set of rules, there's always 11 of the other team's players out there trying to tackle a guy.

 

[Jon88]

Well unless there's some different set of rules, there's always 11 of the other team's players out there trying to tackle a guy.

Yeah I know that, but all 11 of them aren't going after you at the same time.

 

[dbair1967]

Yeah I know that, but all 11 of them aren't going after you at the same time.

They're not? How do you figure that?

 

[Jon88]

They're not? How do you figure that?

Come on. Most of the time wide recievers are downfield. All 11 people aren't coming after them at once.

 

[NoDak]

They're not? How do you figure that?

C'mon, you're not gonna argue this, are you?

On a kick/punt return, everyone knows who's getting the ball before the snap, and heading for them. On a basic offensive play, no defender knows who is getting it until after the snap, and everyone has a job. Rush passer, plug run lanes, defend receivers, etc... If Dez is catching a 10 yard out, most of the defense isn't going to be around him when he catches it, are they?

 

[Sheik]

I'm torn.

I don't like seeing him on punt /kick returns at all, but he's so damned good at it. He never goes down on first contact, he's usually twisting and pulling away from the first guy, so the likelihood of 2, 3 or more defenders taking a shot at him is high.

 

[Midswat]

I think it's a coincidence that both injuries came on punt returns.

Dez is a ridiculously talented returner. To not use him in that role is foolish, IMO.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I think it's a coincidence that both injuries came on punt returns.

Dez is a ridiculously talented returner. To not use him in that role is foolish, IMO.

No. His first injury came on KR. Gronk missed a block.