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Dez Bryant Reaches Agreement To Return to the NFL

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Fans in New Orleans should start practicing “throwing up the X” because free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant has agreed to a one-year deal with the Saints.

The Saints were in need of another receiver after Ted Ginn Jr. was placed on injured reserve last month. Outside of Ginn and star Michael Thomas, only one other receiver on the Saints has at least 10 receptions, and that’s rookie Tre’Quan Smith.

Bryant had been without a job since being released by the Cowboys in April. He was a three-time Pro Bowler in his eight seasons in Dallas and is the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns.

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Bryant had some interest during free agency but nothing that suited him. He turned down a multiyear deal from the Baltimore Ravens as he wanted a one-year, “prove it”-type deal, and that’s what he got in New Orleans.

When training camp started, Bryant visited the Cleveland Browns, which was shown on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”



But despite the apparent mutual interest, nothing ever materialized and Bryant started the season unemployed.

Former Cowboys teammate and current “Monday Night Football” analyst Jason Witten had pegged the Saints as a good fit for Bryant six months before the deal happened.

“You need somebody that can stretch the field and (be) an X factor, and that’s Dez Bryant,” Witten said in May. “I’m not certain that he goes to the Packers, I just think that’s a great fit. But he’s going to partner with a great quarterback and have somebody that he feels like he can contend for a championship.

Does this move make the Saints the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl?

“The Saints and the Packers are kind of the lead dogs right now, in my opinion.”

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The terms of Bryant’s deal with New Orleans haven’t been released, but his contract is likely to be prorated over the remainder of the season.

Bryant’s joining the Saints adds more intrigue to their upcoming schedule, which is highlighted by a game at Dallas in primetime on Nov. 29.

One Cowboys player who is already looking forward to Bryant’s return is linebacker Jaylon Smith. He congratulated Bryant on signing with the Saints and has already negotiated a jersey swap after their game.

If Bryant is ready to go this Sunday, his first action with the Saints will come vs. the Bengals in a matchup of “Who Dat” vs. “Who Dey.”

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Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009.
Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009 and previously worked for ESPN, CBS and STATS Inc. A native of Louisiana, Ross now resides in Houston.
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