Former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl wide receiver Drew Pearson hasn't always been a Dez Bryant fan.
As recently as last October, the original No. 88 was criticizing the current No. 88 for not living up to the expectations of the number that was also worn by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.
But Pearson seems to be buying into the success Bryant had during the second half of last season.
"Basically, I just think he's got a complete understating of what he was doing out there as far as his plays were concerned, his assignments, his adjustments to those assignments and those types of things," Pearson said Monday on the Fitzsimmons and Durrett show on 103.3 KESN-FM. "And in doing that, it gave him a lot of confidence, No.1, but it also gave him a chance now to let his athletic ability and talent take over. I think he realizes now that when he comes out of that huddle, he's the dominant force, not that defensive back, even though that defensive back might have more experience, he might be an All-Pro, or whatever. The fear now is on the defensive side when they see Dez come out of that huddle.
"I think now he realizes that. He realizes the talent he has, and put that with the fact that now he knows his plays and where to be, then you add the factor that at the end of last season Jason Garrett and Tony Romo both showed a different level of confidence in him because of his progress and his improvement. So that, to me, was the difference. I expect that to be carried over into this season."
Bryant had 10 touchdown receptions during the final eight games last season. He also had consecutive 145-yard receiving games and a 224-yard game during that stretch. Through Bryant's first three seasons, the former first-round draft pick has 200 receptions for 2,871 yards and 27 receiving touchdowns in 43 games.
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