Amani Toomer

A month into his second season with the Dallas Cowboys, WR Dez Bryant has become more than a well-intentioned kid who keeps getting into trouble. He's becoming more of a professional.

He understands what's required from him and what the consequences are if he doesn't live up to those requirements. He's showing up on time for meetings and practices. He knows his playbook and runs crisp routes.

Management had enough faith to clear a starting job for him by releasing Roy Williams. They also took the calculated risk of bringing in WR coach Jimmy Robinson as Bryant's new mentor. The risk was that Bryant had become close with his position coach, Ray Sherman. The calculation was that coach Jason Garrett was sure Robinson was up to the challenge.

It helps that Robinson has an impressive list of receivers who have thrived under his tutelage: Marvin Harrison, Andre Rison, Amani Toomer, Ike Hilliard, Joe Horn and the guys from Green Bay who won the Super Bowl last year, with Robinson as part of that staff.

Indeed, Robinson and Bryant have hit it off well. It's evident in the way Bryant tries to absorb every piece of advice Robinson shares with him on the practice field.