Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has had his fair share of critics this offseason, with seemingly every aspect of his play coming under scrutiny. One might expect one his biggest on-field rivals to be a leading member of those critics. But outspoken Redskins corner Josh Norman, who Bryant has clashed with multiple times on and off the field over the past couple of years, seemed to come to his defence on Thursday."He has a lot left in the tank. It's what he gets out of it, that's the thing," Norman said on Fox Sports 1 show Undisputed.

Whilst Bryant's once dominant playing level has clearly declined, Norman maintained that the three-time Pro Bowler can still produce at the highest level, he just needs to be in a good place mentally.

"I'm not here to down the man, I'm not gonna down him. He plays the game at the highest level. I think for him, it's all between here [points to head]. Once he figures that out and once he feels that 'When I step on the field I'm going to dominate whether it's Josh Norman or a rookie coming into the league [lined up against me].' ... Everybody's got to figure that out. I'm still figuring it out." Norman said.

Despite defending Bryant in a roundabout manner, Norman was defiant when asked by Skip Bayless if he feared the Cowboys star: "Do I fear Dez? I don't fear nobody." the former Panthers man quipped. 

The All Pro corner has been one of the league's best cover men over the past three seasons, and has nigh-on shut Bryant down in their last two meetings. The Cowboys wideout managed just nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown against Washington last season, though most of that yardage and the score came when he covered by Bashaud Breeland. 

Bryant's ability to separate from defenders has virtually disappeared over his last two seasons, and his sub-par route running ability has shown up as a result. 

The 29-year-old hasn't eclipsed 1000 receiving yards since 2014, and much of the criticism directed his way centres around his lack of production versus his huge $16.5 million cap hit in 2018. His production is no longer justifying his elite level contract, and his lack of self awareness about that, prior to this offseason, has angered a lot of Cowboys fans and media members.

Bryant is seeking help to improve his route running ability this offseason though, presumably with the hope that diversifying his abilities will allow him to help the team more and make plays at a high level once again.

Norman seemed to approve of Bryant seeking help to better himself as a player:

"I think that he has been taking measures and steps to get his game better," he said. "Everybody's been taking measures and steps to get his game better. I've heard he going to be working out with a new coach. ... So at the end of the day, that's getting yourself prepared for the season that's coming ahead. Getting yourself better. You didn't do something last year that obviously gave you this output, so you're doing something different this year to give you a better one..."

Bryant's situation in Dallas remains an intriguing one, with the Cowboys likely to attempt to get him to take a pay cut following another lacklustre season, and the ever self-confident receiver unlikely to budge.

Depending on what Jerry Jones is able to find in terms of receiver help through the draft and remaining free agents, Bryant could yet become a cap casualty in Dallas before the 2018 season comes around.