Pressure on Roy Williams Could Fill 10-Gallon Cowboy Hat

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The past 21 years have all ended with one common theme for the Dallas Cowboys. And, no, playoff appearances wouldn’t be the correct answer. Rather, every year since 1988 a wide receiver has led the team in receiving yards.

Herschel Walker was the last non-receiver to do so when he had 715 yards receiving in 1977. Terrell Owens led the team in 2008, but his services are no longer available in Dallas.

If that trend is going to continue this year and not reside in the hands of someone like tight end Jason Witten, the odds on favorite would have to be Roy Williams, the de facto No.1 receiver now that Owens is in Buffalo.

Williams struggled mightily in finding his role with the team after owner Jerry Jones gave up first, third and sixth round draft picks in last month’s draft to acquire him from Detroit. He’ll be asked to do a lot more than catch 19 passes for 198 yards and score one touchdown if the Cowboys are going to contend in the NFC East, nonetheless be in the running for the playoffs.

The former Detroit Lion expressed his displeasure with his role in the offense last season, and with good reason. He should get plenty of opportunities to rival the 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns Owens wracked up last season. If he succeeds Dallas should benefit in all areas of the field.

Here are questions I would ask Williams if given the opportunity:

How much pressure, if any, are you feeling to be the go-to guy? Has it changed the way you have approached your offseason preparation just because the pressure with this franchise is so much different than in Detroit?

Are you heading into this season with a chip on your shoulder? Your season totals with Dallas last season—10 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown—have been game totals for you in the past.

You’ve been the headline receiver for every team you’ve played for all for the exception of last year’s stint with Dallas, where Terrell Owens was the focal point. Was that a tough thing to handle? How eager are you to resume your place as your team’s No. 1 receiver?

How would you describe your relationship with Tony Romo? How much has it grown this offseason and what have you done to assure that you two will be on the same page come Week One?

Can John Kitna’s presence help expedite your bond with Romo, considering he knows you so well from your time in Detroit?

What was Tatum Bell’s reaction to your Halloween costume last year? You know, the one where you dressed as a bellhop with Rudi Johnson’s underwear, mimicking Bell, who was accused of stealing Johnson’s luggage when Johnson was brought to Detroit to replace him.
Do you have an idea as to what you would dress up as this year? Could it have something to do with Romo’s professional golfing attempts or a large bucket of popcorn?

If you had a few words of encouragement for fellow Texas Longhorn Vince Young, what would they be? 

You’ve always stayed very loyal the University of Texas, flashing the “Hook’em Horns” sign after your one touchdown last season in Dallas. Why is that so important to you? How much talking goes on in the locker room between you and the rest of the Big 12 alums?

Looking back, how would you rate your role in the movie Friday Night Lights? If you could pick a role for one movie in history what would it be and why?

What’s the first thing you are going to do when you step inside the new stadium?

If you could be Jerry Jones for one day what would be your first order of business?

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