Why Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas Hoopla Is Overblown

Oct 6, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stiff arms away from Dallas Cowboy cornerback Brandon Carr (39) in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. The Denver Broncos beat the Dallas Cowboys 51-48. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Listen, there is no debating that Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant and Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas stand as two of the best in the NFL right now.  Perhaps even two of the best three.  Their numbers alone over the past two seasons prove that.

BRYANT

• 181 catches
• 2,553 yards
• 29 touchdowns

THOMAS

• 203 catches
• 3,049 yards
• 25 touchdowns

So to see both of them get locked up to new five-year deals at $70 million a pop is not a surprise in the least, but it’s also led to an unhealthy bit of soap opera attention in which the football world revolved around them.  As if their fates carried the weight of nations.  In truth, nothing has changed in regards to the wide receiver position in this modern NFL.

It remains universally chained to how good (or bad) the quarterback throwing them the ball is.

The Cowboys and Broncos have had Bryant and Thomas for some time now but their outstanding production has had little impact on outcome of championships for either franchise.  A perfect example is Thomas making a Super Bowl record 13 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.  A game Denver lost 43-8.  Why?

Because Peyton Manning turned the ball over three times.

Wide receivers are important pieces to the puzzle when it comes to great offenses, but Bryant is not the same player he is without Tony Romo just as Thomas isn’t without Manning.  Their statistical greatness is driven by the quarterbacks and their overall impact on team success doesn’t occur unless they get thrown the ball on that critical play of the game for a first down or a touchdown.

Calvin Johnson, arguably the best receiver not named Jerry Rice, broke the single-season record with 1,964 yards in 2012.  The Detroit Lions went 4-12 that season.

So while Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas can continue to thump their chests about importance to the success of their offenses, this idea that the Cowboys and Broncos will live or die in the win column by their presence on the field is somewhat erroneous.