Devin McCourty vs. Dez Bryant: Year 3

[Sciz]

McCourty is a terrific athlete and by all accounts a great person and team mate. He is also a failed CB, an ineffective KO returner, and an undersized safety who is good in zone coverage, struggles in man coverage, and lacks the size/strength to be a presence in the run game. Against the Ravens he got beat for a TD and was mostly a non-factor otherwise. Bryant has continued to develop and excels at his position. McCourty might still become an effective FS, but Dez is currently the better NFL player.

I wouldn't really call that getting beat for a TD. He did everything he could. And it's good when he's a nonfactor. It means teams aren't throwing deep down the middle.

 

[randomk1]

McCourty didn't fail as a CB. he was moved to FS because he could be better for the overall secondary there. If the Pats had a smart safety, good safety to captain the defense, they wouldn't have moved McCourty.

Also, McCourty is pretty good against the run and he is certainly bigger than a guy like Bob Sanders who was a stud safety.

God...i've almost forgotten that name. Dude was a beast when healthy and a huge factor in that 06 run.

 

[1%er]

I posted this poll at the end of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, as one of the biggest stories on draft day was passing on Dez Bryant for Devin McCourty. (I remember the forum, lol, now that was funny) Even after McCourty's sophomore slump, the majority of fans still preferred Devin over Dez, I'm curious to see if that's changed. IMO I would still take McCourty who could become an All-Pro safety over an All-Pro WR that still has attitude issues.

McCourty:

2010: All-Pro CB rookie year. 7 INTs.
2011: Sophomore slump, 2 INTs, and torched frequently.
2012: Moved to safety, nearly a probowler, 5 INTs.

Bryant:

2010: 45 receptions 561 yards 6 TDs
2011: 63 receptions 928 yards 9 TDs
2012: 92 receptions 1,382 yards 12 TDs (50 receptions 882 yards 10 TDs 2nd half of season)

After three years, it's still unsettled. The way their careers are going, it'll probably be would you rather a top 5 safety or top 5 WR.

To clarify, on draft day the Pats traded down from 22 to 27 and netted a 4th (Hernandez). Bryant was drafted at 24.

In reality it's a what would you rather have Dez Bryant and his life coaches/babysitters or a top 5 free safety/above average #1CB and the 1B tight end in the NFL.

 

[Boomer B]

In reality it's a what would you rather have Dez Bryant and his life coaches/babysitters or a top 5 free safety/above average #1CB and the 1B tight end in the NFL.

I like McCourty but let's not proclaim him a top 5 safety yet.

 

[1%er]

I like McCourty but let's not proclaim him a top 5 safety yet.

Can you name 5 free safeties that you'd say are better then him? Because I cannot.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Well, if we'd have drafted Dez, we could have spent the Ocho money on a DB.

 

[Triumph]

McCourty is a terrific athlete and by all accounts a great person and team mate. He is also a failed CB, an ineffective KO returner, and an undersized safety who is good in zone coverage, struggles in man coverage, and lacks the size/strength to be a presence in the run game. Against the Ravens he got beat for a TD and was mostly a non-factor otherwise. Bryant has continued to develop and excels at his position. McCourty might still become an effective FS, but Dez is currently the better NFL player.

McCourty has some Tbucky Jones in him regarding physical talent.

Hes fast for sure, but Ive also noticed him avoid contact vs the run.

 

[ayjackson]

I like McCourty, but I'd easily take Dez Bryant over McCourty. The question of whether I prefer Dez to McCourty and Hernandez is more difficult though. I'd guess no, but it's close.

 

[PatsSweFan]

The fact that Romo in +30 games has had big problems with Dez lining up wrong, running wrong routes and off field problems. I doubt Brady and Bill would have patience with him, but Dez is a sick talent and has a better upside..

 

[TriplecHamp]

TBH I don't think Dez would be half the OTF problem he is in Dalas as he would be here.

 

[PatsSweFan]

TBH I don't think Dez would be half the OTF problem he is in Dalas as he would be here.

Probably true. And in Pats he maybe would have better work ethic and not making so many bonehead mistakes...who knows

 

[upstater1]

McCourty is the better player, Bryant is the bigger need.

I know most would see it the reverse way (i.e. Patriots need more secondary help than receiving help) but with Talib and Dennard at CB, we can patch someone else at safety.

The offense, meanwhile, has stalled in the final game the last few years.

 

[ausbacker]

McCourty. Can you imagine how bad the Secondary would be without him? Seriously.