Cowboys receiver Terrance Williams failed to catch a pass on two targets against the Atlanta Falcons in last week's 39-28 loss at AT&T Stadium, and owner and general manager Jerry Jones knows that dismal outing is fueling the third-year pro's drive to succeed Sunday night in New Orleans.
"I expect him to compete and I know what was bothering him that he didn't feel like he got a chance or got to compete," Jones told "The G-Bag Nation" on 105.3 The Fan on Friday. "And, so, I think we should expect to see him at that X or wherever we line him up, we should expect him to get some balls. He knows how to compete."
Backup quarterback Brandon Weeden targeted Williams twice with short passes over the middle. The ex-Baylor Bear failed to record a reception, making his Week Three performance just the fourth time in his career he was unable to log a catch. The last time Williams was targeted but did not make a reception was Nov. 9, 2014 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. This led to a December where the third-round pick from 2013 was accused of "disappearing" in games. Williams bounced back in the playoffs with four catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns, the most of any Cowboys receiver in postseason play since 1997.
Jones was also the owner for all but one season of receiver Michael Irvin's Hall-of-Fame career, and Jones sees some of the same traits in the 26-year-old Williams.
"I know Terrance," said Jones. "I know how driven he is. We all know Michael Irvin. We all do. But he's Michael Irvin driven. He's Michael Irvin work ethic. I'm going to tell you something: he'll stare a hole in it and he can basically really compete."
