By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
IRVING -- Wide receiver Roy Williams doesn't deny being mad, upset and motivated by Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin's preseason comments that the Dallas Cowboys were playing 10 against 11 with Williams on the field.
Already burning to have a big year and quiet the critics for his disappointing play since being traded to the Cowboys from Detroit in 2008, Williams said Irvin's comments lit his fire.
The explosion came Sunday in a 27-13 victory against the Houston Texans when Williams had five catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. It was his best game as a Dallas Cowboy.
His play could have lasting effects for the Cowboys offense -- which is again fully functional, thanks, ironically, to Irvin.
Everything is now at quarterback Tony Romo's disposal, which coach Wade Phillips said is "good for us and bad for the opposition."
"Roy did a great job the other day in the game," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "He made some big plays for us. He made some little plays for us, too, that were significant in the game. That's important. We like to be aggressive in attacking the defense. It's not necessarily spreading the ball around to keep everybody happy. We're attacking in different ways. We run it, we throw it, we get it to different guys. When your number is called, it's your opportunity to make a play, and Roy did that the other day. Really, he's done that all year."
Real or imagined, Williams' previous lack of impact limited the Cowboys offense. Whether it was because Williams couldn't produce or the Cowboys didn't trust him doesn't matter. Defenses didn't have to account for him because the Cowboys didn't go to him.
Now everything should be in play for the offense.
If opponents scheme to take lead receiver Miles Austin out of the game, which the Texans did, then Williams can burn them. Austin caught 20 passes in the first two games. He was limited to two catches against the Texans while facing double teams. The Texans covered Williams one-on-one with rookie cornerback Kareem Jackson, who was mentally and physically hazed all game.
"Roy Williams has been playing good the first two games," Phillips said. "Like I said, Miles was kind of the target the first couple of games, but Roy, when he was asked to make a play, made the play. This game, Miles was covered more, and Tony went to the guy that was open, and Roy made plays. I was glad to see that. That's what all the talk was about, I think."
It goes beyond Williams for the Cowboys. He is a lightning rod because of his $9 million annual salary and the draft picks, including a first-rounder, the Cowboys gave up to get him.
His effort against the Texans was important for his confidence and that of the Cowboys. It was also necessary to get on tape for opposing teams.
Romo has spread the ball around all season. The Cowboys have five players who rank in the top 34 in receptions in the NFC, led by Austin's 22, which ranks in a tie for second. Tight end Jason Witten has 15 catches. Rookie receiver Dez Bryant has 14, followed by Williams (12) and tight end Martellus Bennett (11).
All totaled, Romo has completions to nine receivers this season. While Austin has been the main target, different players have broken out in each game.
Bryant had eight catches in his first NFL game. Bennett had a career-high five in Week 2 and that was before Williams' breakthrough performance.
"The real good passing games we see, and ours has been one of them, has spread the ball out quite a bit," Phillips said. "Just like if they're taking away the run, you've got to be able to throw it; if they're taking away the pass, you've got to be able to run it. If you can't throw it to a certain guy, maybe you can throw it to someone else. So that's what you have to be ready for -- to be versatile enough offensively. That's what it takes."
It could likely mean fewer individual catches, but it makes the Cowboys offense potent and hard to defend.
Witten has caught at least 80 passes each of the past three seasons, with 94 in 2009 and 96 in 2007.
He said he knows those numbers will go down, but he said he can handle it because he sees the big picture of getting everybody involved.
Now that Williams has finally emerged, the possibilities are endless.
IRVING -- Wide receiver Roy Williams doesn't deny being mad, upset and motivated by Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin's preseason comments that the Dallas Cowboys were playing 10 against 11 with Williams on the field.
Already burning to have a big year and quiet the critics for his disappointing play since being traded to the Cowboys from Detroit in 2008, Williams said Irvin's comments lit his fire.
The explosion came Sunday in a 27-13 victory against the Houston Texans when Williams had five catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. It was his best game as a Dallas Cowboy.
His play could have lasting effects for the Cowboys offense -- which is again fully functional, thanks, ironically, to Irvin.
Everything is now at quarterback Tony Romo's disposal, which coach Wade Phillips said is "good for us and bad for the opposition."
"Roy did a great job the other day in the game," offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. "He made some big plays for us. He made some little plays for us, too, that were significant in the game. That's important. We like to be aggressive in attacking the defense. It's not necessarily spreading the ball around to keep everybody happy. We're attacking in different ways. We run it, we throw it, we get it to different guys. When your number is called, it's your opportunity to make a play, and Roy did that the other day. Really, he's done that all year."
Real or imagined, Williams' previous lack of impact limited the Cowboys offense. Whether it was because Williams couldn't produce or the Cowboys didn't trust him doesn't matter. Defenses didn't have to account for him because the Cowboys didn't go to him.
Now everything should be in play for the offense.
If opponents scheme to take lead receiver Miles Austin out of the game, which the Texans did, then Williams can burn them. Austin caught 20 passes in the first two games. He was limited to two catches against the Texans while facing double teams. The Texans covered Williams one-on-one with rookie cornerback Kareem Jackson, who was mentally and physically hazed all game.
"Roy Williams has been playing good the first two games," Phillips said. "Like I said, Miles was kind of the target the first couple of games, but Roy, when he was asked to make a play, made the play. This game, Miles was covered more, and Tony went to the guy that was open, and Roy made plays. I was glad to see that. That's what all the talk was about, I think."
It goes beyond Williams for the Cowboys. He is a lightning rod because of his $9 million annual salary and the draft picks, including a first-rounder, the Cowboys gave up to get him.
His effort against the Texans was important for his confidence and that of the Cowboys. It was also necessary to get on tape for opposing teams.
Romo has spread the ball around all season. The Cowboys have five players who rank in the top 34 in receptions in the NFC, led by Austin's 22, which ranks in a tie for second. Tight end Jason Witten has 15 catches. Rookie receiver Dez Bryant has 14, followed by Williams (12) and tight end Martellus Bennett (11).
All totaled, Romo has completions to nine receivers this season. While Austin has been the main target, different players have broken out in each game.
Bryant had eight catches in his first NFL game. Bennett had a career-high five in Week 2 and that was before Williams' breakthrough performance.
"The real good passing games we see, and ours has been one of them, has spread the ball out quite a bit," Phillips said. "Just like if they're taking away the run, you've got to be able to throw it; if they're taking away the pass, you've got to be able to run it. If you can't throw it to a certain guy, maybe you can throw it to someone else. So that's what you have to be ready for -- to be versatile enough offensively. That's what it takes."
It could likely mean fewer individual catches, but it makes the Cowboys offense potent and hard to defend.
Witten has caught at least 80 passes each of the past three seasons, with 94 in 2009 and 96 in 2007.
He said he knows those numbers will go down, but he said he can handle it because he sees the big picture of getting everybody involved.
Now that Williams has finally emerged, the possibilities are endless.
