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Cowboys coach: ‘Sky is the limit’ for Dez Bryant in 2017

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys

Since Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant signed a five-year, $70 contract in 2015, he has struggled to live up to expectations. Will 2017 be the season Bryant gets his career back on course?

Cowboys wide receiver coach Derek Dooley had some positive comments to share about Bryant’s outlook for the upcoming season. He said it’s been huge that Bryant has been a full participant in offseason workouts and believes he a big season ahead of him.

“As long as he can stay in that consistent work mode, avoid the injuries (knock, knock), I think the sky is the limit for him, said Dooley per Jon Machota of SportsDay.”

A foot injury threw a monkey wrench into Bryant’s 2015 season. He was only present in nine games, catching a mere 43.1 percent of his targets for 401 yards and three touchdowns. Keep in mind former quarterback Tony Romo missed substantial time that season as well. As a result, Bryant had to deal with the myriad of backups the Cowboys used in place of Romo.

In 2016, Bryant should have headed out of the gate in grand fashion. Again, injuries were an issue, and Bryant underwhelmed with a total of just 50 catches for 796 yards and eight touchdowns over 13 games working with rookie Dak Prescott.

None of that contradicts what Dooley is saying, however. The sky should be the limit for a receiver as physically dominating an elusive as Bryant is when healthy.

The Cowboys’ passing offense ranked 23rd in the league in 2016. Clearly Bryant returning in top form should give that number a boost.

Dooley also noted the following upon observing Bryant’s offseason practices.

“His route-running, his route detail, his inventory, all of those things are improving. And he’s got a lot to improve on. He knows it, but he’s getting better.”

As long as Prescott doesn’t take any steps back, and all stay healthy, the offense as a whole should once again be a domineering force.

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