IRVING – The double coverage Dez Bryant received from the New York Giants secondary Sunday night continues to be a hot topic around Valley Ranch.
Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Bill Callahan, tight end Jason Witten and Bryant all talked Thursday about the attention Bryant received in the season opener.
And none of them are expecting it to change going forward.
"I'm sure teams are going to try and take him out of the game," Witten said. "But we'll find ways just like we did last year, and have done for the last four years, of getting the ball in his hands."
Witten, Miles Austin and DeMarco Murray benefited most from Bryant being double-covered. And all three could see the same heavy dose of targets Sunday in Kansas City.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean Bryant won't get the ball more than the four receptions he had on eight targets against the Giants. The NFL's sixth-leading receiver last season is too talented not to get a few targets even if there is a safety helping over the top.
Like Bryant said Thursday, he was doubled "a lot" last season. And that didn't seem to hold him back much, especially during the second half of the year when his numbers were as good as any receiver in the league.
"We saw a little bit of double coverage last week," Callahan said. "That could change. That could happen again. But we'll be ready for it. I think he understands the nature of coverage and how people are playing him now. It's our job as coaches to put him in the right positions to get open."
Putting Bryant in the right positions could mean some short throws and screen passes. Heck, if Bryant isn't open deep, why not put him in motion and get the ball in his hands on a reverse?
Bryant, arguably the Cowboys' most emotional player, did a decent job of containing his frustration against the Giants. But the Cowboys also won that game. Will that continue if one of the league's top playmakers doesn't get many opportunities and the outcome is different?
"You always want to catch the ball and make a play, but at the same time, we're trying to win," Bryant said. "It's got to be smart football. Just got to be patient. There will be a time when Miles might get doubled, Witt might get doubled, whoever.
"I promise you, my time's coming. When it comes, I'm going to take advantage of it."
Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota
