When Cowboys training camp opens next week in Oxnard, California first round pick Byron Jones will face receiver Dez Bryant for the first time.
The Cowboys, who watched Tyron Smith get a baptism by fire courtesy of DeMarcus Ware in his rookie year and believed it went a long way in helping to mold Smith, are looking forward to it.
Of course, Bryant stayed away from the team all offseason as he waited for a new, long-term contract, and Jones was drafted out of UConn in the first round of the draft in late April.
Bryant tweeted Jones shortly after he was selected that night and probably met and spoke with the rookie on the handful of occasions that the All-Pro receiver made appearances at team workouts, but they’ve yet to line up.
“When you’re playing against the best of the best it can only make you better,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said, per the Dallas Morning News. "I’m sure Byron is looking forward to it. I know he had some spirited compete plays with Jason Witten who is one of the best in the business. Now he’s going to get to see Dez live and up front. I’m sure he looks forward to it and it’ll be good for him."
