George Pickens, the Dallas Cowboys‘ wide receiver, faced a challenging week after their recent loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 14. The 24-year-old, currently in the final year of his rookie contract, has been one of the NFL’s standout receivers this season. Despite his impressive stats, Pickens found himself at the center of criticism following what many deemed an underwhelming performance during Thursday Night Football. However, General Manager Jerry Jones was quick to defend the young star, calling the criticism “madness.”
This season, Pickens has been a powerhouse on the field, racking up 78 catches for 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns with an average of 15.1 yards per reception. These numbers place him third in the NFL for receiving yards and just 11 yards shy of breaking the Dallas Cowboys’ franchise record for most receiving yards by a player in their first season with the team. Yet, his performance against Detroit-where he recorded only five receptions for 37 yards-sparked a wave of scrutiny.
Critics were quick to point out that Pickens appeared disengaged when he wasn’t the focal point of plays. Former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t hold back, publicly questioning Pickens’ effort and reliability. “If you want to be the guy… then you can’t really take no plays off,” Sherman remarked, adding, “Big-time players don’t give a damn about no bracket. Bracket? Ball coming. Double team? Ball coming. Cloud? Ball coming.” Sherman’s comments fueled the narrative that Pickens lacked urgency, especially after fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb exited early due to a concussion.
Jerry Jones, however, stood firmly in Pickens’ corner, emphasizing that the criticism was unjustified. “I think the criticism of this last ballgame is being hard on him. Not justified,” Jones stated, as reported by insider Jon Machota. He elaborated, “A game like that leaves us all wanting more, and of course, when we lost (CeeDee) Lamb, it was glaring if we had any type of play that didn’t work the way it appeared it should work. That’s a mouthful of saying, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a body of work or a season dismissed as quickly as it was with Pickens getting criticized against Detroit. And that’s madness.”
11 yards away: Pickens on the brink of making Cowboys history
Despite the backlash, Pickens remains the Cowboys’ leading receiver this season and is poised to set a franchise record-a feat that could silence critics and solidify his reputation as one of the league’s top playmakers. Analysts have noted that consistent effort and focus are crucial for securing long-term contracts in the NFL, and Pickens has shown promise in bouncing back during recent practice sessions.
While Sherman’s expanded critique touched on concerns about continuity and effort level, it’s clear that Pickens has the talent and drive to prove his doubters wrong. With upcoming games on the horizon, all eyes will be on him as he strives to hit that record-breaking milestone and reaffirm his value to the Dallas Cowboys.
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