Have We Seen the Last of Dez Bryant?

Author: Peter DiPaola

Just two days after signing with the New Orleans Saints, Dez Bryant reportedly suffered a torn Achilles in practice, and he had to be helped off the field. The 30 year old wide receiver spent his first 8 years of his career in a Cowboys uniform, in his career he has caught 531 passes for 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns. His career could now be in jeopardy because of his new injury.

After failing to sign with a team up until this past week, including turning down a contract with the Baltimore Ravens before the season, it is reasonable that we may have seen the last of Dez Bryant in the NFL. His production had began to slip after the 2014 season, in which he caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards and a league leading 16 touchdowns. Since then he has caught 17 touchdowns in the three seasons following his career year.

Just last season he caught 69 passes for 838 yards and 6 touchdowns, and had a career low (12.1) in yards per reception, while playing and starting all 16 games.

Due to age, an injury of this severity at this juncture of the season, and his declining numbers, Dez Bryant's last NFL action could very well be a practice with the New Orleans Saints. Maybe Dez can come back, but this could also be the end of his career.

All statistics from www.pro-football-reference.com

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Is Jameis Winston's Time up in Tampa Bay?

Author: Peter DiPaola

Jameis Winston's return from his three game suspension has not been good for the fourth year signal caller. Since returning he has thrown at least 2 interceptions in all four games he has appeared in, three of which were starts. He has thrown 6 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, and he is tied for the league lead in interceptions, which is 1 interception shy of his season total from last season.

During his tenure as a Buccaneer he has thrown 75 touchdowns, 54 interceptions, rushed for 9 touchdowns, he has lost 16 fumbles, and has a completion percentage of 61.2%. His total touchdown number is 84 and his total turnover number is 70, for a former Heisman winner and top pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the numbers do not look good.

Combine that with his off the field incident that cost him the first three games of the season, Tampa Bay could be looking to move on from Winston at the seasons end. Winston was pulled last weekend in the loss against the Bengals, and he will be on the bench in the Buccaneers tilt against the Carolina Panthers this weekend. Instead Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter, again, for Tampa Bay. It is possible that Jameis could have seen his last action against the Bengals. That is because if he is to get injured it works out in his favor because Tampa Bay could be on the hook for his fifth year option, which is $20.9 million.

The Buccaneers still have nine games to play, and anything can happen in the NFL, but if Winston cannot get back on the field, it could signal the end of his career in Tampa Bay, even if he does get back on the field, it could still be the end.

So what can the Buccaneers do at quarterback? Ryan Fitzpatrick provides veteran leadership and is a journeyman quarterback with plenty of experience. They could do what the Jets did with Josh McCown, bring him back one more year to mentor a rookie quarterback, if Tampa Bay decides to take one in the 2019 NFL draft.

Statistics from: www.pro-football-reference.com