Dez Bryant Is No Vincent Jackson?
July 9th, 2013
So you must choose sides for a football team and you’ve got to pick between Dez Bryant and Vincent Jackson. Joe thinks it’s a freakin’ no-brainer that Jackson should be the choice, yet Joe’s pick isn’t the norm.
The gurus at ProFootballTalk.com assembled an esteemed panel of about 40 NFL analysts, including former Bucs Anthony Becht and Shaun King, along with olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, homeless-mistaken, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports Fame, to pick the top-100 players in the NFL.
Players ranked 51-75 were released yesterday, and the gang of experts collectively ranked Bryant above Jackson.
54 Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle, Lions
55 Cam Newton, quarterback, Panthers
56 Dez Bryant, receiver, Cowboys
57 Gerald McCoy, defensive tackle, Buccaneers
58 Marshal Yanda, guard, Ravens
59 Roddy White, receiver, Falcons
60 Vincent Jackson, receiver, Buccaneers
Joe is somewhat speechless. Jackson is just a better football player, and he’s no diva.
Joe also sees Ndamukong Suh continues to be a step ahead of Gerald McCoy, just like they were in the 2010 draft. Joe can see both sides of that argument.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:18 am
I’m the biggest die hard bucs fan. But dez is a BEAST. As sad as it sounds, it’s right. Dez is way way more talented. V jack relies and uses his size. Bryantan handles corners and runs them over, makes randy moss like
Catches. He can easily be a top 3 WR if he stops
Being a dumb goon.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:19 am
All things considered, I’d take Jackson over Bryant every day of the week.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:20 am
And McCoy is turning out better than Suh imo.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:27 am
Meh,
GMC needs to do it again this year before we can make that argument. I think he is onto something though.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:32 am
McCoy loses to Suh because of stats and attitude displayed on the field. Suh is an angry player…doesn’t make him better but it gets him more press.
McCoy got a late start due to injury. If he gets double digit sacks a year or two he’ll get the boost.
I think Jackson’s placement suffered a little because of a new offense. This year will have better results.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:41 am
I think right now they are interchangeable. Bryant vs. VJax … Suh vs. McCoy. This year should be the deciding factor and allow VJax and McCoy to move ahead of those guys. One thing I will say, I like VJax and McCoy personally because of their leadership and attitude but talent wise they are even at this point.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:41 am
Bonzai,
Jackson’s placement suffered because of a new offense? You do know that last year, Jackson had the best year of his entire career with the Bucs? He had more receptions, yards, and yards per catch than any other year, and I believe he matched or came close to his top TD total.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:50 am
Jrock,
I think V-Jax’s production was hampered by the porous pass defense.
Or does that only apply for Freeman?
July 9th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@stevek
More stops on defense = more offensive snaps = more opportunities for Jackson
Shut up.
July 9th, 2013 at 10:59 am
Walter,
Let’s hear it.
How about: better drive sustainability by our QB= more opportunities for Jackson.
Be real.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Did you guys not read my entire comment?
Jackson had the best year of his career last year. What the hell are you two arguing about?
July 9th, 2013 at 11:06 am
I think stevek is realist and robert. The other day stevek spelled his name SteveK. He must be changing his names.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:08 am
Your speechless Joe? Why? The Bucs never get any respect from the experts. Of course respect is earned. Even when they were good under Dungy they never got much respect either. So maybe it’s part of being a Buc. So be it then. I’ve been a fan long enough to realize it comes with the territory. Oh well, ho hum. Another day in life of a Buc fan.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:09 am
stevek, ya that’s why I said “turning out”. The story isn’t done yet, but McCoy’s play last year was fantastic. If we get that consistently without the injury problems and he looks like a great pick.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:13 am
I could argue both sides, Dez is younger and has loads of upside and talent. V-Jax is a probowl vet that can help your team form and mold the younger players. My pick her is V-Jax all day long, time will tell if Dez will continue to develop into a NFL player or if is diva like ways cause him to fall from grace. Dallas is a team on the verge of crumbling IMO and when this happens we will see what type of character Dez is.
As for Suh being ranked higher than GMC, I think its just a matter of Suh has done more in their first 3 years. In the long run I think GMC will have a better career and achieve more. Again only time will tell.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:17 am
Man I used to get into arguments about McCoy too on NFL.com with other Buc fans. Most of them insisting he was a bust, and I disagreeing with them. Now it’s the QB that is a bust, and I disagreeing. Betcha $100 I’m right again.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:20 am
V jax is better right now, next year he will start to fall off and dez will surpass him
suh is better right now, and has been…..yet to be seen if GMC can continue to bloom into a beast. if so, he “could” surpass suh.
Robert
aka SteveK & realist
July 9th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Buc’n Junkie,
Different devices has different font names.
Thanks for thinking about my posting like that.
I am not Robert, nor the_buc_ realist.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:26 am
If you are starting a team tomorrow, Dez Bryant> V-Jax for the long haul.
For next year? It is a toss up. Both are immensley talented, but Jackson is on the wrong side of 30 now.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:33 am
I agree that age is most likely a factor in this ranking. While Dez may not be as good right now as Vincent, he has way more upside. Not to mention, in theory, another half decade of quality production left in him thus, more value.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:37 am
^ Good point WCBF.
I hope we are the #1 team in the NFC south this year. It could happen.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:48 am
I hope we are #1 in the NFC South every year! But yes, it does seem more likely this year. I think a big issue for us these past two seasons that doesn’t really get talked about often is the sheer amount of injuries to our starters. We lost both DEs, Both Guards, and Wright played injured (when he did play). I just hope we can have a healthy year without more than a player or two on IR.
July 9th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
No corner in the league would choose to cover Jackon over Bryant.
July 9th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
I think V-Jax’s production was hampered by the porous pass defense.
Or does that only apply for Freeman?
——————————————————————
Good one! lol+
July 9th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Yeah, what’s hurting Vincent is his age. If he was 24 also then this wouldn’t even be an argument.
July 9th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I know one thing a fully healthy Bucs team against the Jets in week 1 is going to lay the smackdown upon them. Something like 31-14. I know it’s still too early.
July 9th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
The only thing it is too early for, Buc1987, is predicting the Jets score fourteen points. A bit generous if you ask me. I look at that Jets game as being our “statement game”. There is no reason for us not to mop the floor with them. They have a lame duck coach, “two starting quarterbacks”, and a Revis-less defense. We absolutely MUST demolish them to start the season off right. A close win or, worse, a loss will be devastating to morale. No way we are as good playing the Saints week two coming off a loss. Same goes for the Patriots in week three. We NEED this Jets game.
July 9th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
I dont expect any blow outs, as a long time Bucs fan, I’ve realized we are just about always going to play to the level of our competition. I expect a close game, but you are right in that a loss would be devastating. Theres no reason we should lose to that team.
July 9th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
I know what you mean Couch Fan. It was never more evident than it was in 2010. We would go toe to toe with a team like the Ravens and take it down to the wire and then have the exact same game against a team like the Browns. Always playing to the level of our competition.
On the other hand, I would put the Jets in 2013 at the level of the Chiefs of 2012. We absolutely blew the Chiefs out 38–10 last season. Don’t forget about the playoff-bound Vikings either who we blew out 36–17. It’s not out of the realm of possibility . . .
July 9th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
As of right NOW
VJax offers way more than Dez.
Not only in terms of experience but also in leadership. He is imparting that experience into our young team through his great leadership skills.
As we all know upside or potential is great yes but it doesn’t mean that potential is going to be met. Dez still has a ways to go.
July 9th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Jrock Says:
“Bonzai,
Jackson’s placement suffered because of a new offense? You do know that last year, Jackson had the best year of his entire career with the Bucs? He had more receptions, yards, and yards per catch than any other year, and I believe he matched or came close to his top TD total.”
I meant in the view of the guys casting the votes.
July 9th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
If I’m putting together a fantasy team: sure, I take Dez.
If I’m putting together a real team: V-Jax all day, every day.
July 9th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Really WestCoast, because I see the Saints game the 2nd week as the statement game. Oh well to each his own.
July 9th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
I think EVERY game is a statement game this year.
July 9th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
The Jets game needs be a win by a substantial margin to show that not only are we better than lesser teams but that we don’t hold back. The Saint’s game will be a statement game as well. If we beat them then that shows we are no push overs and teams will start to circle the day they play the Bucs on their calendars. It is quite crucial to come out of the gates hot. I think we really need to come out of the first four games at 3-1. Anything less than that will start to affect morale.
July 9th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Nah a win is a win is a win
IMO
The only thing we “need” to do is win, whether it’s by a large margin or by one the result is the same.
I hear what your saying, I just don’t necessarily agree.
Sure that would be nice and your logic isn’t off but IMO it’s not necessary.
July 9th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
ProFootballFocus ranked Jackson as the 3rd best receiver of 2012 behind Calvin and Andre Johnson. McCoy as a top 20 player leaguewide, far ahead of Suh. They are the only players that watch every snap of every player of every team before coming out with rankings. I place more value to PFF’s rankings than any of these PFT/SI analysts who also factor popularity into their voting.
July 10th, 2013 at 1:53 am
I’d take VJax’s bank account any day over Dez.
July 10th, 2013 at 4:51 am
Dez Bryant is a talented receiver, as was Aaron Hernan”dez”. Bryant has already veered off the right path on occasion. If he continues to teeter, he just might end up shooting himself in the leg er foot like another receiver.
July 10th, 2013 at 10:38 am
Sorry, Lazy, I didn’t read any other posters, just wanted to give my opinion. Only child and all. VJax (and many other recent purchases from the Publix of the NFL) have been savvy from Dom IMO. Nicks is a pro, VJax is a pro, Goldson is a pro, Revis is a pro. The Bucs’ aren’t just filling positions, they are creating a locker room. They (again IMO) haven’t done that since Dungy. I, like most of you, am VERY excited about the upcoming season.
July 10th, 2013 at 10:39 am
Shout out to scubog; sweat pants don’t make a good holster!!
July 10th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Bryant is proving to be yet another POS prima Donna- not totally gone yet-, but heading there.
Jackson has been an extraordinary pro. On and off the field. He has become my favorite Buc. So glad he’s representing our team!
McCoy is better than Suh. Plus Suhs stupidity and lack of control has hurt his team.
We got this.
Now, if we could just find a TE and Slot Wr!
July 11th, 2013 at 7:21 am
Jackson far, far superior to Bryant. Anyone that thinks otherwise has no clue about football.