Why Dez Bryant, Not Miles Austin, Needs to Be the Dallas Cowboys' No. 1 WR

I said at the beginning of this offseason that Dez Bryant needs to ascend to the No. 1 receiver position for the Dallas Cowboys.

So far, Bryant is having a wonderful training camp and preseason. As a side note before I continue, he did the same last season.

Onward—let me explain why it's time for Miles Austin to take a step backward.

Austin readily admitted that he wasn’t in shape for the lockout-shortened 2011 offseason. He injured his hamstring, played in only 10 games and had just 579 receiving yards.

Now, in the scope of the season and the games that Austin played, he still had a decent season. Although he dropped a full two yards off of his average last year, Austin still had games of measurable success.

He went off against the 'Niners in Week 2 of the season, hauling in three touchdowns, 143 receiving yards and nine catches.

However, he injured his hamstring in that game and did not return until mid-October.

After that showing he was simply average. He returned to have a good game against the New England Patriots but did not catch more than five balls in a game afterward.

If we line that up next to Austin’s $54 million deal, his production isn’t matching his play on the field.

Now don’t get me wrong: I still believe that Austin is a top-flight receiver. He has another hamstring injury this year, but when he returns, he should be ready to prove that he’s worth the money in his contract.

In regards to Bryant, though, his off-the-field issues non-withstanding, he seems ready to break from his cage.

It's clear after examining Bryant's 2011 numbers that he has to have more of an impact in the second half.

He seemed to disappear in the second halves of most games.

Bryant’s average yards per reception dropped to 13.8 in the second half from a healthy 15.1 in the first. He caught 12 fewer balls after halftime than he did in the first two quarters of all games. Next, Bryant had seven-first half touchdowns, compared to just two touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.

And lastly Bryant had only 100 third-quarter receiving yards in 2011, no touchdowns and a 12.5 yards-per-catch average.

He has to get better if he wants to develop into a true No. 1 receiver.

But he deserves it.

Bryant is one of the most athletic receivers in the entire league and should have a better grasp of the team’s playbook this year.

His catch against the Oakland Raiders in the team’s first preseason game should be a precursor of what type of performance the team can expect. Bryant’s chemistry with Romo is improving as he continues to gain his quarterback’s trust.

Bryant has tweaked his hamstring, just like Austin, so he’ll have to remain on the field if he wants to be the team's No. 1. But the easy and simple reason as to why Bryant deserves to be the top receiver is that Austin may be better as a No. 2.

Opposing defenses cannot double both receivers, and if they do, that leaves the middle of the field open for the tight end or the slot receiver.

Bryant is more talented, stronger, more athletic and a better receiver. Austin should flourish as a No. 2 with Bryant taking all of the attention.

As we trudge through the preseason, look for Bryant to slowly take over as the Cowboy's top receiver.