The “Original 88”, Drew Pearson, has taken countless shots at the current 88, Dez Bryant. Pearson again had some choice comments for Bryant while at a speaking engagement Wednesday in Odessa, Texas.
“He’s not living up to the expectations that were placed on him by wearing that number,” Pearson told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. “Drew Pearson took it to the Ring of Honor level andMichael Irvin took it way beyond that to the Hall of Fame level.”
Pearson is right in that Bryant hasn’t establish himself as an elite receiver. He might not be the best receiver on his team — Miles Austin holds that title now.
Bryant has 21 catches for 269 yards with no touchdowns. Asked Wednesday about his lack of a TD this season, Dez said “it will come.”
Bryant has been pretty quiet this season, other than Monday’s game against Chicago, when he committed two drops and made a mistake in reading the coverage leading to a Tony Romointerception. It’s interesting that Bryant had eight catches for 105 yards, marking the second 100-yard game of his career. The Cowboys have lost both those games, by the way.
“When Michael and I had a chance to talk to Dez, when he came in his rookie year, we told him, ‘Don’t do what Drew Pearson did in it. Don’t do what Michael did in it. Do more than that,'” Pearson said. “I know that’s a lot to live up to, but what else is there? You live up to those expectations and people will cherish you for the rest of your life.”
The expectations are very high for Bryant, but at times you wonder if they’re unfair. He is a talented player but continues to baffle because of his inconsistency. You can blame it on Bryant or even the Cowboys for not putting him in better situations on the field.
Whatever it is, if the Cowboys offense is to move forward, it needs Bryant to become more of a force.
WRITTEN BY Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com & FULL STORY HERE
