IRVING, Texas – When Dez Bryant arrived on the scene back in 2010, confidence wasn't a problem.
With his third pro season wrapping up, Bryant said that confidence level is higher than ever, which makes sense considering his performances have been better than ever.
While it might be premature to say Bryant is having a Pro Bowl season, he's certainly got the numbers to support it, especially here in the Cowboys' recent winning streak of three straight and five of six victories. In those last six games, Bryant has scored eight touchdowns, including one in each game.
"I'm just more confident than ever, that's all," Bryant said. "Just trying to stay focused, trying to do the best that I can to try to help my teammates and go where we want to go."
When asked if he feels like he's a different player, Bryant shrugs off the notion this transformation is anything physical. He always had the tools, but know it's a metal thing, he says.
"I feel like each and every week, it's more confidence, more confidence, more confidence. It's just building that trust with Romo. It just makes me feel like, hey, I can do whatever. That's always a good feeling. When you've got that, you don't want to mess that up."
Not playing because of Bryant's fractured index finger was apparently never a possibility. He played through the injury against Pittsburgh last week and while there is obvious pain, Bryant said he's fighting through it again this week.
"This finger – it's just mental toughness, that's all," Bryant said. "If I felt like it was going to bring me down, I probably couldn't be out here doing what I'm doing. But I don't think about it as much. I don't feel the pain after. I just go out there and play football."
And Bryant isn't the only one making big plays. Jason Witten is on the verge of breaking the NFL's single-season reception record for tight ends. And if Witten can get 77 yards in two games and Austin another 102, the Cowboys will have three 1,000-yard receivers for the first time in club history and just the seventh time in NFL history.
That would suggest Tony Romo is doing his thing at the quarterback position. Bryant said getting Romo's trust has been a big step in his career.
"It boosts my confidence just to know that Tony believes in me. I feel like I'm still working on it more, for Tony to trust me," Bryant said. "I'm going to just keep doing what he wants me to do. I'm going to keep paying attention to the little things in the meetings and just listening to Tony 24/7. Just watching his movements, just paying attention and just working hard."
