Dallas Cowboys News & Notes: Analysts Pick Cowboys To Win The East, Dez Bryant For MVP?

Dez Bryant will win 2013 NFL MVP, Michael Irvin says - NFL.com
Dez Bryant already is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Michael Irvin, the greatest Dallas Cowboys receiver of all time, says Bryant is poised for even greater things.

"I'm telling you, man you gotta see this dude now, this dude understands football," Irvin said with his usual flair. "I gotta say it, I never thought he had the capability of understanding the game the way he understands it."

NFC East is NFL's most unpredictable division for 2013 season - NFL.com
11 analysts predicted this season's playoff teams on NFL.com. Five picked the Dallas Cowboys to win the East, three went with the New York Giants, two liked the Washington Redskins and one opted for the Philadelphia Eagles. Gil Brandt, who picked the Cowboys to win the division, breaks down the wide-open NFC East.

New Dallas Cowboys DE Caesar Rayford had to ‘climb the house and jump through the chimney’ to get NFL shot - Rainer Sabin, DMN
Former Arena League player Rayford with easily the best quote of the week:

"Some people get in the front door," Rayford said. "Some people get in the back door. Guys like me have got to climb the house and jump through the chimney."

Dallas Cowboys VP Stephen Jones: I wish I could take back my ‘secret sauce’ comment - Jon Machota, DMN
These things sometimes find a way of taking on a life of their own. Stephen Jones now wishes he had not used that specific phrase:

"It was a careless comment that quite candidly, I wish I could take back," Jones told the Ben & Skin show on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM]. "I was having a light moment with some of the [reporters] and I let that slip. At the end of the day, I do think when you look at teams that have success, there’s a certain chemistry. I think a little bit what I’m seeing from our team this year is that we have good chemistry."

Jones goes on to describe some of the things the Cowboys have done in the offseason to become a better team, but also points out some of the remaining issues, like health and the defensive line. Overall though, he feels optimistic.

"I think we’ve given ourselves a heck of a chance to compete, get in the playoffs and contend."

Practice report: Spencer stays in, but Cowboys still holding out hope - Carlos Mendez, Star-Telegram
It's been almost six weeks since Spencer's knee surgery, and he hasn't fully practiced yet. But the team is still holding out hope that Spencer might be available for spot duty against the Giants.

Brian Waters: ‘Supremely talented’ Dallas Cowboys are ‘as talented as there is in the NFL’ - Jon Machota, DMN
After only one day on the job, Brian Waters likes what he sees from the Cowboys:

"I grew up here. This is the hometown team," the veteran guard said Wednesday after his first practice with the Cowboys. "This is a super talented football team. I believe this team has been close to breaking through and being a playoff team. Honestly, I think they have been close to being a championship football team."

John Lynch not sure Dallas Cowboys have the DT needed to be a great Tampa-Two defense - Jon Machota, DMN
Lynch points to the perceived weakness at defensive tackle for the Cowboys, which was always a mainstay of the Tampa Bay teams. If the Cowboys are running a carbon copy of that old Tampa Bay defense then that could end up being an issue, but chances are the pressure in Dallas will come from the defensive ends more than from the defensive tackles anyway.

Dallas Cowboys DT Jason Hatcher on 2012 adversity: ‘I felt like God had just cursed us and we just had to deal with it’ - Rainer Sabin, DMN
Jason Hatcher did not take kindly to being questioned about the quality of Nick Hayden and George Selvie.

"Why would you even doubt going into a game with guys like that, with their backs against the wall, nothing to lose and being on the streets?" defensive tackle Jason Hatcher said. "How do you think they’re going to play? Why would I be worried about anything?"

Hatcher is not one to look back in anger and hopes this season will see better health for the Cowboys:

"I was like, ‘What did somebody do to God?’ I felt like God had just cursed us and we just had to deal with it. That’s the way I felt. Every time we’d get a little bit of daylight, here comes the darkness. Please don’t bring up last year. We just roll in and start off with the Giants and continue to play great. I hope God just keeps everybody safe on this team. We can go and win some ballgames and do what we need to do."

Dunbar Not Ready, Leary Is; New DE Could Play NY - David Helman, DallasCowboys.com
Dunbar's foot injury kept Dunbar out of practice on Wednesday, making it very unlikely he'll suit up against the Giants. Leary thinks he'll "definitely" be able to play, and Helman holds out some hope that Spencer might be a game time decision on Sunday. If Spencer doesn't play, there's a chance newly acquired DE Caesar Rayford could see some action.

More from Blogging The Boys:

• Dallas Cowboys VP Stephen Jones: "O-Line Is No Longer A Question Mark."
• Cowboys Practice Update: Anthony Spencer Still Out, Brian Waters Practices
• KDP's 10 For 10 Is Back! 2013 Week One Pick'Em Contest
• Cowboys Fixing The Last Issues Before The Season Starts
• Cowboys Crunchtime's 2013 Season Preview Podcast ft. Mike Fisher, BTB's FPWs, Jay Novacek And Bradie James