Ed Barkowitz: In Dallas, Miles separating Williams and Romo

November 06, 2009
  • Miles Austin has taken over as the Cowboys' top wide receiver.

IF ROY WILLIAMS is so upset with how infrequently Tony Romo is hitting him, he oughta take off his shoulder pads, look at his most recent paystub and remind himself that it could be worse.

He could have drafted Roy Williams as a No. 1 receiver for his fantasy team.

But while Williams has been a fantasy nightmare, Miles Austin has been a revelation. Miles Austin?

A fourth-year pro out of Monmouth, Austin has been blistering hot the last 3 weeks and has taken over as Dallas' No. 1 receiver. Williams, who once had 1,310 receiving yards for the Lions (in 2006) and was acquired by the Cowboys in midseason last year, is a speck in the rearview mirror. He has fewer catches than Patrick Crayton and it's all the quarterback's fault. Just ask Williams.

"[Austin] gets the ball thrown correctly his way," Williams explained. "I'm stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody who's been here's balls are there. Our footballs [passes from Romo to Williams] are everywhere right now."

Austin has scored five touchdowns in Dallas' last three games while Williams has a total of three catches in that span. Cowboys fans have to be feeling a little deja-TO, although Romo downplayed the issue in a story on the team's Web site.

"We've been through this before with people trying to divide a football team," Romo said. "We're too strong for that. I know the media is going to try to make certain things appear what they may not have actually been; things of that nature. This team is too committed to win and too committed to improve to let anything divide this team."

Williams may not be dividing the Cowboys, but he's poisoning fantasy teams. Austin, on the other hand, has been sensational.

The biggest question is whether these 3-week numbers - 21 receptions, 482 yards and the five scores - are enough to paint Austin as an elite fantasy option. Or will he be falling back to earth very soon? After all, those 482 yards represent more than 52 percent of his career total. The 10 catches he had in his first career start at Kansas City in Week 5 are more than 20 percent.

"This year specifically, to me, what's different is that he's on the field more and so he has more opportunities, " said Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. "He's a threat out there for sure."

 

Contest of the week

 

How many receiving yards will Miles Austin gain this week against Eagles?

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