After yet another devastating last-minute loss, the Dallas Cowboys now have to enter their bye week searching for answers about how they can possibly turn things around. The Cowboys can pretty much improve across the board, but this is also a great time to analyze individual performances. That is why I think it could be the perfect time to demote wide receiver Terrance Williams.
Demoting Terrance Williams certainly isn't something that has popped up all of a sudden. It's a discussion that has been ongoing for a few years now, but it might just have reached its peak this past weekend against the Green Bay Packers.
It has become increasingly obvious that Terrance Williams isn't the Cowboys #2 WR. He might have fallen even further down the depth chart after the tipped pass debacle that resulted in a a touchdown against the Packers. I hate to place the blame on one player, but I believe that one play cost the Cowboys the victory.
It might be time to sit Terrance Williams. This isn't even close. pic.twitter.com/7GqzfUKozd
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) October 9, 2017
As you can see, the pass from Dak Prescott was perfectly placed on Williams' back shoulder to shield him from the defender. This is absolutely a pass Williams should have caught, but instead he allows it to bounce off his hands into the hands of a Green Bay defender. That might've been the straw that finally breaks the camels back, resulting in less playing time for Williams.
Now, this is hard for me to write or admit, because I've gone to bat for Terrance Williams on more than one occasion. I've always thought that he is a valuable asset to the Cowboys offense due to the dirty work he does that goes unnoticed, but unfortunately he has pretty much disappeared in the passing game.
In five games this season, Williams only has 19 catches for 180 receiving yards. That's not very productive for a #2 WR in the NFL, but unfortunately it's even worse than that. In his last 37 starts, he only has 7 touchdowns and is averaging about 40 receiving yards a game. The production simply isn't there.
It makes you wonder if the Dallas Cowboys feel as if they made a mistake signing Terrance Williams to a four-year, $17 million contract this off-season. It's definitely a team friendly deal, but I'm not so sure the contract is matching the production.
As things stand right now, you can argue that Brice Butler has been the more productive of the two. Butler already has accumulated 207 receiving yards on just eight receptions and has also found the end zone twice this season. He definitely deserves more playing time and possibly should have received the contract extension over Williams. But, that's hindsight for you.
I could even make a case for rookie WR Noah Brown to see more playing time over Williams. Brown can do all of the dirty work Williams gets credited for and possibly be a more reliable WR.
The point I'm trying to make here is that I wouldn't be surprised at all if Terrance Williams gets demoted when the Cowboys take on the San Francisco 49ers after the bye week. I just don't see how the Cowboys coaching staff can justify keeping Williams on the field when he is being outperformed by WRs lower on the depth chart. But, only time will tell.
