Jerry Jones may be the most optimistic person on the planet.
A couple of weeks ago he said of backup Dallas Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden, “Frankly, you won’t see a more gifted passer,” in the league.
And again, speaking with reporters about his team’s chances without star quarterback Tony Romo and star receiver Dez Bryant, Jones hyped receiver Terrance Williams, along with tight end Gavin Escobar.
What he said about Williams is right up there with his comment regarding Weeden.
“I know how driven he is,” Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan’s G-Bag Nation show [KRLD-FM]. “I know Michael Irvin, and [Williams] is Michael Irvin-driven. He’s Michael Irvin-work ethic. He can really compete. I expect him to compete. I know what was bothering him, that he didn’t feel like he got a chance or didn’t compete. I think we should expect to see him get some balls. He knows how to compete.”
To be fair, Jones isn’t saying Williams is as productive as Irvin was, but he really might want to take a step back from the podium when making these kinds of comparisons.
The Cowboys have been under an enormous amount of pressure since training camp began. Given the roster assembled by Jones and his son Stephen, it’s understandable. However, in the light of Romo and Bryant being injured and out for a while, nobody knows what the ceiling is for this year’s team.
Williams has caught nine passes for 144 yards and one touchdown through three games — hardly Irvin-type numbers. For his career, in 27 games, he has hauled in 90 receptions for 1,501 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He’ll have to up his game in order to translate his Irvin-driven work ethic into Irvin-type production.