Bryant calls his performance unacceptable, embraces matchup vs. Peterson
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is dismayed by his performance through the first two weeks, but the three-time Pro Bowler isn't concerned about his future progress.
Bryant has caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown through two games, on pace for the lowest receiving yardage total of his career since his rookie season.
Although Bryant expects more from himself, he understands that poor games are part of the ebb and flow of professional sports.
"Of course that's not acceptable, but this is the National Football League," Bryant said to ESPN's Todd Archer. "Things are going to go right and then when they do, it's going to be the exact opposite ... Everything is going to be great. You got to treat the lows like the highs and highs like the lows. That's what it's about. This is minor. That is minor to us. If we focus on that, pay attention to that, we are just feeding into what everybody is talking about. We can't do none of that.
"We understand how this game goes. These are great football players and great teams we are going up against. It's not just me and him. It's everything. It's 11 guys versus 11 guys. That's the last thing on our mind because we know when it hits, it hits."
Bryant could be given some leeway, however. The Cowboys star faced off against the All-Pro duo of Aqib Talib and Chris Harris during a Week 2 loss to the Denver Broncos, while being matched up against New York Giants second-team All-Pro Janoris Jenkins in the team's opener.
During Monday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, it's eminently possible Bryant could be blanketed by Patrick Peterson, and he's embracing the challenge.
"He is a super athlete, that’s who he is," Bryant said. "He is a helluva corner. He is arguably the best cornerback in the league. The guys is phenomenal. You got to be ready when you are going up against a guy like that. A real friend of mine. He knows how I am. I know how he is. It's going to be pretty darn good matchup Monday."