Don Banks: Is Dez Bryant the next Randy Moss?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Is Dez Bryant the next Randy Moss? - Don Banks - SI.com

I know we have discussed Bryant in a few threads already,but this is an interesting comparison to Moss's rookie campaign from SI's Don Banks

I personally think Dez is a HUGE gamble,he has all the skills to BE a Randy Moss and make us unstoppable down the field,BUT he also has some immaturity that could make him the next Chad Jackson.

 

[DocE]

Well, he's not Randy Moss in that Moss has incredible speed and is 2-3 inches taller than Dez. I think Bryant could be a very good receiver, but anyone hoping for Randy Moss will be very disappointed. The thing that bothers me most about Dez Bryant are the rumors that he had to be walked to class to assure he went and that once showed up to a game 15 minutes before kickoff. I think those types of issues are far worse than the Deion thing and make you question whether football is a real priority for him.

If he's there at 22 he'd be a great compliment to Moss on the outside as ones strengths are the others weaknesses and vice versa. That's IF Bryant is dedicated, stays out of trouble, and reaches his potential. He's probably not my first choice at 22, but I don't think I'd be mad if the Patriots selected him.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Is Dez Bryant the next Randy Moss? - Don Banks - SI.com

I know we have discussed Bryant in a few threads already,but this is an interesting comparison to Moss's rookie campaign from SI's Don Banks

I personally think Dez is a HUGE gamble,he has all the skills to BE a Randy Moss and make us unstoppable down the field,BUT he also has some immaturity that could make him the next Chad Jackson.

He may turn out to be a fine receiver but he cannot and won't ever stretch fields like Randy Moss did when he was younger.

 

[MaineMan]

In a word, no. And I'd much prefer that the Pats try to draft two of the "next Greg Jennings" or the "next Kevin Walter" in the 3rd or 4th round than to risk a high pick trying to snag "the next Randy Moss".

Right now, the Pats have a greater need to upgrade from Aiken and Stanback. The "next Randy Moss", like the "next Jerry Rice" just doesn't hapen often enough to try to force it. Maybe next year with Oakland's pick.

 

[Mogamedogz]

hell to the no.​

 

[ctpatsfan77]

In a word, no. And I'd much prefer that the Pats try to draft two of the "next Greg Jennings" or the "next Kevin Walter" in the 3rd or 4th round than to risk a high pick trying to snag "the next Randy Moss".

If they come out of the draft with the "next Jabar Gaffney" (or someone a little better than that) I'll be more than satisfied.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I don't think he's the next Moss but he could be a yearly top 5 probowl WR (like Reggie Wayne, great but not a superstar)

 

[O'Doyle Rules!]

OK guys, the OP (and the article) was obviously not comparing Bryant to Moss in terms of their specific skill sets on the field, but rather was referring to the fact that both could be guys that teams would pass over on draft day only to look back on the decision later and kick themselves. Which I do think Bryant will be one of those guys. The question is not whether Bryant can do the things that Moss can do on the field, because he is clearly a different type of player - one who I think compares more accurately to an Andre Johnson than a Randy Moss. And yes, question marks or not, teams would regret passing on that kind of a talent, especially considering that half the players taken before him with considerably lower ceilings are going to bust anyway.

 

[BritPat]

People regret passing on Moss because he's the greatest WR since Rice - heck, I know some that might argue his best years were better than JR's best years. The tools he possessed made him that.

Dez Bryant will not be that. He doesn't have the physical tools to be what Moss was. Receivers like him come along every few years or so - potentially very good, productive #1 WR's.

But not the likes of Randy Moss.

 

[mgteich]

Let's review this now.

Randy Moss is arguably the second best wide receiver in the history of the nfl.

And now we're asking whether a lazy, slow player with little concentratation could be as good as Moss. Bryant is a player who need to be walked to class, needs someone to carry his cleats, and needs an escort so that he will be at the game on time. He can't figure out that it is important to train for his pro day, or to hire someone to help him get ready.

I was fine with considering Bryant, pending his pro day. Well, he had his pro day.

Perhaps Bryant has the talent to be in the top 5 of the draft. Someone will take a chance on him and pay for a personal trainer/assistant to be keep him in line. That team is NOT the New England Patriots.

 

[spacecrime]

And yes, question marks or not, teams would regret passing on that kind of a talent, especially considering that half the players taken before him with considerably lower ceilings are going to bust anyway.

i don't think teams regret passing on players. Not really. Fans do. But teams set up their boards and pick from that, not the entire range of players. Half the players turn out to be busts anyway, as you say, so they make their pick based on your best information. If the pick turns out to be right, they may re-visit it to see if they missed something, but if a head case potential trouble spot turns out to be okay, I sincerely doubt they regret anything.

I think his comments hurt himself. Rather than focusing on what he can do for his new team, he is wallowing in disrespect and focusing on the teams that had the audacity to draft someone else. even though it hasn't even happened yet.

Please. Comparing himself to Randy Moss is stupid. He is just as likely to be the next Mike Williams as the next Randy Moss.

 

[JMarr]

I agree with the poster who said Banks wasn't comparing their skill sets, but rather how teams that pass on him might really regret it later.

The reason I like Dez Bryant is that his skill set is totally different that Moss and he would compliment Moss perfectly on the other side. He's not particularly known for his speed (although it's adequate), but rather the way he can physically dominate DB's, his hands, his ability to make catches in traffic, and the way he fights for the ball. In other words, pretty much the opposite of Moss at this point in his career. If BB could turn him into a hard worker and if he's able to grasp the Pats' offensive system (BIG if's) he would fit our offense like a glove.

Don't forget that Moss is probably gone after this year, so simply drafting an adequate, Gaffney-like #2 this year and looking for Moss's replacement in next year's draft instead doesn't make a whole lot of sense right now.

Unfortunately, I don't think Dez will be there at #22 and I would think a trade up for a WR by Belichick is out of the question, but who knows.

 

[patsfan-1982]

there has never been and may never be again a WR that can make the pays that moss, can. and he played most of he's Career with back up QB's if he had brady or manning he's whole Career he would have all redy broken jerry rices TD record.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

Is Dez the next Randy Moss? Haha! No way dude. He may be talented, but he doesn't have the speed, height, hands, and pure talent and instinct that Moss Has/Had. I'm sure Dez would love to prove people like me wrong though!

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

His style is more like Chad Johnson. If Darius Hayward-Bay and Ted Ginn can be a top 10 pick so can Bryant.

 

[bucky]

If BB could turn him into a hard worker and if he's able to grasp the Pats' offensive system (BIG if's) he would fit our offense like a glove.

I think you got it reversed here. BB isn't going to waste his time trying to turn some lazy bums into hard workers. That's an almost impossible undertaking. On the contrary, he's going to draft the hard workers. And Dez Bryant ain't one of them. Anyone who blows off the fact that Bryant forgot his cleats for his pro day as unimportant doesn't understand what it takes to win championships in the NFL. And I agree with everyone who ridicules the OP and Don Banks for comparing Bryant to Moss. I'd say he compares more to guys like Mike Williams, Reggie Williams and Maurice Clarett. I hope someone does take him - the earlier the better!

 

[farn]

If he turned out to be 90% of Reggie Wayne, as long as immaturity is not an ongoing issue, I'd be more than happy with him at #22.

However, I think that even though we'd all love improvements on the OL, at WR, and RB - I'd rather see some defensive players taken early... if they went defense twice and offense once (seeing as how one of those top 4 picks is surely to be moved, based on BB's history) it'd be great.

 

[patchick]

Sure, Bryant could follow in Moss's footsteps and make teams regret passing on him over "intangibles." Or he could be the next Chad Jackson -- a player who slides because of intangibles, only to have it turn out that he should have slid even further.

But the comparison that comes to mind for me is LenDale White. Highly touted draft pick, starts to slide when he shows up out of shape to pre-draft workouts and generally projects an unprofessional demeanor. So perhaps White's trajectory is the best bet: non-factor and iffy locker-room guy as a rookie, eventually comes around to to be a productive NFL player, but hardly the type of impact player to make GMs sit up nights, wondering "what if?"

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Sure, Bryant could follow in Moss's footsteps and make teams regret passing on him over "intangibles." Or he could be the next Chad Jackson -- a player who slides because of intangibles, only to have it turn out that he should have slid even further.

But the comparison that comes to mind for me is LenDale White. Highly touted draft pick, starts to slide when he shows up out of shape to pre-draft workouts and generally projects an unprofessional demeanor. So perhaps White's trajectory is the best bet: non-factor and iffy locker-room guy as a rookie, eventually comes around to to be a productive NFL player, but hardly the type of impact player to make GMs sit up nights, wondering "what if?"

 

[Snake Eyes]

Don't forget that Moss is probably gone after this year, so simply drafting an adequate, Gaffney-like #2 this year and looking for Moss's replacement in next year's draft instead doesn't make a whole lot of sense right now.

Why doesn't it make sense to look for Moss's replacement next year?

It seems to me the big problem with looking for players is that teams "look for" things as opposed to simply recognizing what's there. Wanting to push a round peg through a square hole doesn't work, similarly projecting onto a player dreams of being Randy Moss 2.0 will lead you down a road of disappointment.

Bryant might be what you think he can become but based on the info we have right now does it make sense to take him over other players? I'd much rather sign TO then mess around with this guy.