Michael Irvin passionately defends Bryant amid rumors of release

Hall of Fame wide receiver and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin presented a passionate defense of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

With free agency on the horizon, there's been speculation that the Cowboys could release Bryant, a course of action that Irvin vehemently disagrees with.

During an appearance Thursday on KESN-FM 103.3 FM ESPN, Irvin sounded off and gave the three-time Pro Bowler a strong vote of confidence.

"I warned you people here in Dallas to stop this s--- right now. ... We did this a couple of years ago with DeMarco Murray," Irvin said. "I tried to warn everybody to stop talking like you're talking. 'You can stick anyone behind that offensive line.' You're doing the same thing ... You can think you can find a receiver that can put up the types of numbers that you know Dez can put up? Stop it. They don't grow on trees like leaves or everybody would be raking them in. We're going to be headed towards another dumb, ignorant season because all of you guys are talking ignorant."

Bryant's production has tailed off in recent years after he recorded three consecutive seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns (2012-14). He also led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2014.

Irvin doesn't seem to mind, however, and believes Bryant is essential to the Cowboys' future successes.

"Production does not tell the whole story, and numbers certainly don't tell the whole story. What tells the whole story are wins and losses. ... Now we sit here and we say, 'Dez gets upset that he's not getting the ball.' And then we turn around and say, 'Dez can't play. We gotta get rid of Dez. We can go find another receiver.' ... You know the thing everyone is out there looking for? Receivers. As if they were everywhere, and anywhere, just like you thought you can find any running back."

Irvin provided a final warning to Cowboys management if the team is seriously considering releasing Bryant.

"Dez Bryant helps you win football games. All these chumps y'all talking about going to get, they're not football winners. They're football players, but they're not football winners. Stop doing this."

- With h/t to Dallas Morning News