Dez Bryant is upping the ante in anticipation of his Dallas Cowboys showdown with Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
"I believe I can do whatever he can do," Bryant told ESPN of direct comparisons to Johnson, generally regarded as the league's best receiver. "Truth be told, I don't compare myself to nobody. I think Calvin's the best at what he does. I think I'm the best at what I do."
Bryant said Johnson's run-after-catch ability and the way he attacks the ball in the air are especially impressive. However, asked what Johnson could do that he couldn't, Bryant paused for several seconds before answering.
"I believe I can do whatever he can do," Bryant said. "I think it's just a pride thing. When it comes to football, just being on the field, it's a mindset and having a mentality. I honestly believe when I'm there, I'll be feeling like there's nothing I can't do. Whatever the coaches ask me to do, I'm going to do it.
The numbers seem to support Bryant's bravado. Since Week 10 of last season, when Bryant began to emerge as an elite receiver, his 1,448 receiving yards rank behind only those of Johnson (1,689) and the Houston Texans' Andre Johnson (1,620) in the NFL. Bryant's 16 touchdown catches are the most in the league during that span, six ahead of Calvin Johnson, who is tied for fourth.
Johnson set an NFL record with 1,964 yards for the Lions last season. Bryant said during the offseason that he believes he's capable of becoming the first 2,000-yard receiver in NFL history, although his primary goal is to help the Cowboys make the playoffs.
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