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What is Roy Williams thinking in Big D?

Emergence of Austin has turned No. 1 into No. 2. Matt Bowen

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I don’t think Roy Williams gets it.

Wednesday, in a story published by ESPNDallas.com, the Cowboys receiver — whose production has dropped significantly since the emergence of Miles Austin — had some things to say about his on-field relationship with QB Tony Romo. According to Williams, who cost owner Jerry Jones plenty in a trade last season, the two aren’t even on the same page.

Roy WilliamsAPRoy Williams is channeling his inner T.O.

“I’m the No. 1 receiver. But things are just going No. 2’s way,” Williams said.

Here’s my question: What is Williams thinking by making these statements? Is he really convinced he’s still the No.1 weapon on that field come Sundays? Or is this yet another case of a Cowboys wide receiver wanting the ball thrown his way more often?

And do I even have to go there -- back to last season and what transpired in that locker room with No. 81?

I don’t think so, because despite what I see as a little jealousy from Williams toward Austin, the reality is that Austin has become Romo’s go-to guy on the outside — and it’s working.

We tend to leave Dallas out of the discussion when it comes to the top teams in the NFC because we’re all waiting for that epic collapse from Romo and his teammates. However, it’s hard not to notice what’s been right in front our faces the last three Sundays. Right now, the Cowboys are one of the hottest teams, and hottest offenses, in the league — despite what Williams seems to be saying.

Like it or not, Roy, it’s Austin who has become the offensive catalyst. We talked about it all offseason, wondering where Romo was going to get the big play outside of TE Jason Witten. And looking back, we have to wonder what the Cowboys were thinking by starting Patrick Crayton opposite Williams, or even calling Williams their No.1.

But let’s also be honest about Williams. Even with his claims, he doesn’t produce like a No. 1 receiver. He’s big, and he can play physically, but he doesn’t have the speed to separate from defensive backs down the field, and in the red zone — where you would think he would be money for this offense — he hasn’t shown us the numbers he should be getting. I would go so far to say that if the Cowboys were to align Witten in Williams’ spot — away from the formation and outside the numbers — Witten’s production would be better.

And the numbers over the past three ballgames for the Cowboys tell the real story here. Austin is making plays and, well, Roy isn’t. Let’s take a look:

Williams: 3 receptions, 35 yards, 1 TD

Austin: 21 receptions, 482 yards, 5 TDs

Miles AustinAPMiles Austin has become Tony Romo's go-to receiver in Big D.

Come on, folks, this offense is rolling with Austin in the mix. They’re currently ranked the second-best unit in the league, averaging over 411 yards of offense and over 28 points per game. The best thing this team did was promote Austin to the first unit, and look what it’s done for Tony Romo: In three consecutive wins, he has thrown for 351, 311 and 256 yards and a combined eight TDs — with zero interceptions. Yes, the competition wasn’t the best, but the production is still there. This offense is rolling right now, and with a huge game Sunday night at the Linc in Philly, now is not the time to bitch to the media.

Sure, I understand that Williams is frustrated because he was supposed to be that guy — the one who became the No.1 target in one of the bigger football markets in the country. Wear the star on his helmet and make big plays in prime-time games. But this is how football works.

Just as game plans sometimes fall apart on Sundays, players can emerge from nowhere to steal the spotlight — like Austin has.

And Williams is just going to have to get used to be the No. 2 in Dallas. Because nothing ever goes as planned in the NFL.

Check out the new Dallas Cowboys team page at the NFP — where your voice is heard.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

Comments

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Men of Troy
Nov 05, 2009
03:04 PM

TO part 2... that is what Roy has turned into. Not fun when some guy is catching all the passes and you are being beat up by DBs, huh?

Mr.Murder
Nov 05, 2009
03:11 PM

Dallas activated someone who was almost a squadder in the last game and in one catch I think he outgained Williams to that point in the game. Everyone is getting the ball there.

Herm Edward on ESPN said it best - Whitten is the no1 target, then Austin and the other quick receivers ahead of Williams. If the Cowboys young back Felix Jones was healthy he'd probably have more catches or receiving yards as well(maybe they can plan it up for the second half of the season and open the playbook more).

The recent streak goes back to the game Romo had a fourth and goal and lost the game? He did not throw to Williams then, but the rest of those guys got the signal on that play. Everyone is Romo's target, so run it out full speed. The team improved markedly since.

Eric Green
Nov 05, 2009
03:14 PM

I guess you consider the Falcons weak.:) I realize you can only play who is in front of you, but they barely beat KC on the road and beat the Hawks at home. As for the Falcons, it was a home game coming off of a bye. They should have won that game, as the winning percentage is pretty high in that situation. If Dallas wins the next two weeks, then I will give them their props.

dan
Nov 05, 2009
03:21 PM

I'll never forget the game against the Packers just before Roy was traded to the Cowboys. He was making a bunch of catches, but his body language was the worst I've ever seen apart from Marshall punting a ball in Broncos practice. The Lions were down, and Roy would catch a ball short of the first down and come off the field laughing and talking to his team-mates (who weren't really talking and laughing back). Even though there was no sound on him, sarcasm shows up on camera, and the viewer could tell that he was joking about how bad the Lions were. At the very least, it was clear that the TEAM's success or failure was not something that concerned him.

Even as a Packer fan watching that game, it made me angry to see someone with an attitude that bad. ...and then Skeletor traded two 1st round picks for him... crazy.

Scott M.
Nov 05, 2009
03:58 PM

You know - it's really unfair to compare Williams to TO. TO actually produced on the field, something Williams has never really been able to do. The man's never caught more than 8TDs in a season, why would he suddenly start now? Dirty little secret about Williams - in four full seasons with Detroit, he led them in receptions ONCE, and that was his rookie season with a whopping 54 receptions. In 2005, Marcus Pollard was top, Mike Furrey topped him in 2006, and Shaun MacDonald topped him in 2007. If Williams couldn't out perform those three, what kind of moron thinks he's going to be a #1 on another team and is worth two 1st round picks? That's just a special kind of stupid, Mr. Jones.

Raymond Sheffield
Nov 05, 2009
04:50 PM

Doesn't being the #1 receiver really depend on who the defense is deciding is the opponent's #1, not production? For example, even though this is not the case, if a team was triple teaming RW every play, I would expect his production to be down and someone else's to be high. That doesn't mean RW isn't the #1 guy. In fact, it confirms it. Isn't it possible that teams have been taking MA lightly and not giving him proper respect. Therefore, his numbers are artificially inflated?

kj
Nov 05, 2009
05:24 PM

Matt-

You said it all in four three words. 'Williams can't create seperation'. Period. And if a WR
in the NFL can't do so, he isn't gonna see the ball.

Norm from Cheers
Nov 05, 2009
06:32 PM

What a bum. The Boys are finally putting this thing together with a huge game on Sunday night and starts complaining to the media that he should get the ball more.

Go to St. Louis then scrub.

Russell M
Nov 05, 2009
07:12 PM

"What was Roy Williams thinking?"

Simple answer...he wasn't thinking at all.

Mr.Murder
Nov 05, 2009
07:58 PM

No YAC in his game...

b roo
Nov 06, 2009
11:27 AM

Dallas did not give two 1s for him it was a 1st, 3rd and 6th, still too much but not as bad. Jerry panicked when Romo got hurt last year and tried to make a move that he thought would help them win last year. Roy is also liked locally since he played high school and college ball in Texas. I'm sure Jerry figured that would help sell tickets and jerseys, too. This was completely overblown by ESPN, kinda' surprised the Playa' jumped on the bandwagon though. This has not divided the locker room and is nothing like the team destroying antics of that idiot Dallas banished to Siberia. Roy is frustrated that he isn't producing more but still plays and practices hard. All you Giant, Iggle and Skin (yes that's you Matt) fans can get over your excitement about this because it is no big deal.

gabbo
Nov 07, 2009
01:03 AM

Living in Dallas, this whole story is a PERFECT example of a media created controversy.

Although RW hasn't come close to producing what everyone expected, he's been a model teammate, hasn't pouted, stayed engaged in the game (being a hellacious downfield blocker) and seems to work his butt off. Yet he gets peppered every day with questions about his (perceived) relationship issues with Romo and production.

They finally drew RW offsides this week to make a few comments that were immediately taken out of the context of him saying that he's happy the team is winning, he's working hard and wants to improve and tried to paint him as a malcontent.

RW knows he's being paid as a #1 and feels a pressure to produce. But if he came out saying he wasn't the #1, he'd get KILLED by the local press for considering himself a #2 after signing a $45 million contract. So instead he's called 'delusional' for considering him a #1...he had no chance of winning this argument...

The cheap and easy spin the local media wants is to make him TO 2.0....but he's the furthest thing from it. He's not demanding the ball or the offense run through him. He's not trying to win over and divide the team.

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