FRISCO — Since the Cowboys acquired George Pickens, fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb has gone out of his way to point out their similarities. He’s said, from the beginning, that they both are No. 1 options for the Cowboys.
It’s why Lamb said he can relate to the external criticism that Pickens has faced since last Thursday’s 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Pickens, as he noted quickly after the game, didn’t have his best performance in the loss to the Lions. He finished with five catches for 37 yards on nine targets.
Criticism about Pickens’ performance was sparked by comments from former NFL cornerback and Amazon analyst Richard Sherman, who criticized Pickens’ effort level and what Sherman described as disinterest throughout the game. Pickens eventually responded in a post on Instagram that was quickly deleted.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he had a good conversation with Pickens about the deleted post. He also reiterated his belief in Pickens.
Quarterback Dak Prescott did the same on Thursday.
“He’s responded great,” Prescott said of Pickens. “Just came in like a pro, as I expected him to do. … When you’re playing to the level he is and to the standard or anybody’s expectations when you play the way that he does. I’m sure y’all spoken to him, and he owns that. He’s had a hell of a week of practice, and he’s going to continue to finish that way. There’s no doubt all that is going to just transpire into the game.”