Tony Romo shows rookie Terrance Williams tough love, work on rapport
By Mike Dyce
Dallas Cowboys rookie wide receiver Terrance Williams is trying to build a rapport with quarterback Tony Romo. As the #3 wide receiver in an offense with a lot of weapons he will need to step up when his number is called.
“It’s good,” Romo said recently. “He continues to grow, and each week he gets better and better. I think we’ve just got to keep doing things that come up at his position over and over, and what specifically he’s going to see a bunch. They’re little things, but he’s grasping it, and each time I communicate with him he seems to get it after that. That’s a real good thing.”
Williams knows the playbook but has struggled with the calls and adjustments made at the line of scrimmage.
“He just expects you to know what you’ve got to do,” Williams said Friday. “You’ve got to continue to gain his trust. The more he trusts you, the more chances you’ll get to make plays.”
Romo sometimes corrects Williams in a blunt way that could be taken personally but Williams understands the need for the direct approach. Williams understands that Romo is simply trying to help him get better.
“I think anytime you’re going to play on our offense, I’m going to be tough on you, just because we have such a high demand for what we’re going to put out on that field and what production we want from everybody,” Romo said. “I’m going to be tough on myself and I’m going to be tough on those guys, and they know that. That’s part of it. If you’re going to run with the first team, you have to know what you’re doing, and you have to run it the right way.”
Williams thinks he is catching up to the speed of the NFL and his understanding of the offense is getting there.
“It’s just a matter of knowing the play from the get-go instead of trying to think about it and then run your route,” Williams said. “Beforehand, it was more of not playing fast. Now, when he changes something, I can just turn on the light and go.”