Dallas Cowboys: Should Dez Bryant Return Punts?
For the past four years, the Dallas Cowboys have had a reliable punt returner in Dwayne Harris, a guy with the potential to break a big play any time he gets the ball. Now, with Harris playing for the division-rival New York Giants, the team may have to go elsewhere. The team has one of the league’s most talented players in receiver Dez Bryant, but is using him as a punt returner worth the extra injury risk?
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From 2011-2014, Harris was the Dallas Cowboys main punt returner, and he did an excellent job of it, particularly in 2012 and 2013 when he was in the top five in the league in terms of yards per punt returns. He fell off a bit last season, but the team still had someone they knew they could rely on. Now that he’s moved on, the team isn’t completely sure who they will turn to.
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Undrafted rookie out of Florida Atlantic Lucky Whitehead certainly has the potential to be a force in the return-game, but he will be fighting throughout camp just to earn a roster spot. Receiver Cole Beasley is also a possibility, as his quickness elusive ability is exactly what is needed in the return-game. As of now, he’s the most likely player to take the job.
Running back Lance Dunbar is the other guy on the short-list, as he’s got speed quickness, and plenty of experience with the ball in his hands. He’s been taking most of the reps as the kickoff returner up to this point in camp, but could also see time fielding punts.
The other option, however unlikely it may be, is Bryant. The 26 year old who lead the league in receiving touchdowns last season and recently signed a 5-year $70 million contract has hinted this week that he’d be willing to take the job if the team wanted him to:
"“Oh man, if they put me back there, I’m going to get back there,” said Bryant per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News."
Common sense says this would be a bad idea. Punt returners are some of the most vulnerable players on the field, as they often take hits from defenders barreling full speed towards them. Bryant himself knows how risky the return game can be, as he missed the end of his rookie season after suffering a broken leg on a kick return.
He also knows how lucrative the return game can be. He had two punt return touchdowns in his rookie season, including an outstanding 93-yard return, and his first NFL touchdown, a 62-yarder in the second game of his career.
Those memories are certainly tainted by the memory of the broken leg and the missed ending to his first season, all due to his role as a return-man. The team remembers this well too, and they know their success last season was due in large part to Bryant’s success. If he goes down, the team loses it’s most productive returning offensive weapon, and one of the best players in the league.
But would the risk be worth the reward? Bryant’s 14.3 yards per punt return in 2010 is an average that would have been in the top five in the league in every season since then. His 15 returns that year are a relatively small sample size, but if he were to have the game-breaking effect that he did his rookie year then the team would regularly find itself in excellent field position.
The Cowboys have a few questions on offense in terms of who their starting running back will be, and how an aging Tony Romo with a history of back issues will hold up in the days to come. Most people expect them to not have much of an issue producing, but they will take any advantage they can get.
Bryant is reliable, and has improved ball-security greatly over the last few seasons, fumbling roughly 1 percent of the time he touched the football in 2014. By contrast, possible punt returners Cole Beasley (4 percent in his career) and Lance Dunbar (2 percent in his career) may be more likely to give the ball away, especially when taking the big hits associated with punt returns.
Bryant was also an excellent punt returner in his college days at Oklahoma state, averaging almost 20 yards per return, including 3 that went for touchdowns. He’s got the experience, and according to his coach, he thoroughly enjoys returning kicks:
"“He really likes doing it and he certainly has some game-breaking ability,” said Dallas head coach Jason Garrett (via John Machota of the Dallas Morning News). “Typically when you have a guy like that you want to keep him on one side of the ball or the other, but he is one of those guys you want to put back there and keep him in your back pocket if you need him.”"
The team had him returning a few punts in practice near the start of their 2015 camp schedule, and it seems as though they are keeping their options open. However, interestingly enough, the only day he was returning punts was the day that ESPN’s cameras were filming parts of the team’s practice. It could be that putting Dez at returner was simply a ploy to keep opponents on their toes.
The Cowboys should keep themselves open to his returning kicks though, as having a dynamic player such as Dez Bryant fielding punts could give them a huge advantage in terms of field position. Yes they need to be careful with his safety, especially after investing in him long-term, but keeping him in their back-pocket just in case may be wise.
If none of the team’s other punt-returning options pan out, or if Dallas finds itself in a situation when they need a game-changing play, it would be a good idea for them to be willing to turn to their star: Dez Bryant.
Next: What Should Dallas Do With Jeremy Mincey?
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