Hartford Courant

Saints offense adds veteran WR Bryant

- News services Steelers 24, Panthers 21

Dez Bryant has found a new team, agreeing to contract teams with the Saints.

The former Cowboys wide receiver, who has been looking for an NFL homesince becoming a free agent, will join one of the league's top offenses in New Orleans.

The 30-year-old Bryant spent his first eight years in the NFL with the Cowboys and last season caught

69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns, including a 50-yard scoring play.

However, his profession­al reputation has been marred at times by public confrontat­ions with coaches and teammates during games and practices.

Seeking salary cap relief, the Cowboys released Bryant after last season with two years remaining on the receiver's five-year, $70 million contract.

Last season was Bryant's best since he caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2014, which at the time was his third consecutiv­e season with at least 1,200 yards receiving. He signed his last contract right after that but has not approached that level of production since — a central reason the Cowboys released him in April.

Bryant was among several receivers to work out for the Saints on Tuesday. He'd previously met with the Browns and Ravens.

The Saints (7-1), who have won seven straight and leads the NFC South Division, didn't necessaril­y need another receiver.

Led by record-setting quarterbac­k Drew Brees, the Saints rank seventh on offense overall, averaging 402.2 yards per game, and seventh in passing, averaging 289.9 yards. At the same time, the Saints are without deep threat Ted Ginn Jr., who's currently on injured reserve and won't be eligible to return until the final few weeks of the season, if he's ready by then.

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