Dallas Cowboys Terrance Williams Makes A Big Jump This Offseason

One of the positive effects of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant opting to sit out during this part of the offseason, while the team and his representatives negotiate a new contract, is the fact it gives other players an opportunity to grow and shine. And that’s exactly what has happened for third-year wide recevier Terrance Williams.

After a up-and-down sophomore season, following a terrific rookie year, Williams has received praise for his growth this offseason. Receiving extra attention in the absence of Bryant, Terrance’s effort caught the eye and respect of his veteran quarterback.

"“Terrance has had one of the best off-seasons I’ve seen in a while,” quarterback Tony Romo told the Star-Telegram last week. “So I’m very excited about his approach, the way that he’s played up to this point in the off-season. He’s just improved, and I’m excited about that development.”"

Earning the trust of his quarterback is paramount in Williams taking the next step in Dallas. A surprise third round selection out of Baylor by the Cowboys in 2013, the former Bear recorded 44 receptions for 736 yards and five scores his first season in Dallas.

In fact, in a re-draft of the 2013 NFL Draft, Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks moved Williams from a third to a first round selection based on his talent.

"“By season’s end Williams had emerged as a reliable and oft-targeted weapon for Tony Romo in Dallas, where he was second only to Dez Bryant in terms of receiving yardage at wide receiver. The Texans wouldn’t be in position to re-select Hopkins in this scenario, but Williams’ rookie-year production (44 catches for 736 yards and five touchdowns) would have aided the cause downstate in Houston. Every facet of Williams’ game showed steady improvement last season, and he’s got solid No. 2 receiver potential.”"

Targeted less his second year in Dallas, Williams still manage to make some clutch receptions in 2014; helping the Cowboys reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 season. He finished the regular season with 37 receptions for 621 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.

In the postseason, Williams recorded a total of four catches for 130 yards and an amazing three touchdowns in two games. And the 25-year old has continued that upward trend this offseason, shouldering the biggest amount of praise from Cowboys wide recevier coach Derek Dooley.

"“(Williams) had a phenomenal four weeks,” Dooley told ESPNDallas.com on Thursday. “He really has. I told him, in fact, before we went on the field how proud I was of him. He’s not only taken a tremendous leadership role in the group, really setting the example of how you do things, he’s expanded his route inventory. He’s played X. He’s played Z. He’s played in the slot and every day he went out there and was the same player. Every route, every opportunity he had he took advantage of it. So he’s made a big jump this offseason.”"

All things were pointing upwards for Williams heading into training camp until the final practice at minicamp this week. Terrance injured his elbow during a play and laid on the field for several minutes afterwards while being attended to by the medical staff.

Although x-rays have now come back negative, showing only a bruise and some possible nerve irritation, it’s a bit of a down note on what has been, by all accounts, a tremendous offseason for the young recevier. Williams now has five weeks to rest his elbow before the start of training camp in Oxnard. According to his twitter, it doesn’t seem to be an issue he’s very concerned with.

Let’s hope this injury is only a minor bump in the road as the immediate future for this talented young wide out looks extremely bright.

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