Cowboys’ mission: replacing loss of TO

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Day by day, kid by kid, Roy Williams is doing his best to replace Terrell Owens as the most popular receiver on the Dallas Cowboys.

Every afternoon of training camp, Williams plucks a youngster out of the stands to be his water boy (or girl) for the rest of the workout. They get to hang out on the field of the Alamodome for about an hour, dwarfed by all the huge guys and loving every second.

“It’s a non-paying position,” Williams says, smiling, “but you’ve got first dibs on getting an autograph.”

Although Williams did the same thing in Detroit, continuing the tradition here shows how comfortable he is in his new role as the No. 1 receiver. It’s a good sign for the Cowboys considering how much they are relying on him now that T.O. is gone.

Team owner Jerry Jones pointed out again at the start of camp that “the decision to move on without Terrell was almost totally made” to get more out of Williams. There were other reasons T.O. had to go, but Jones is right.

The Cowboys sent first-, third- and sixth-round picks to Detroit for Williams last October, then gave him a $45 million, five-year contract extension. In return, he provided a measly 19 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown in 10 games. Owens had 213 yards in a single game last season.

“Everybody thinks I [stink],” Williams said. “I just have something to prove. It’s not to prove that I don’t [stink]. It’s just to be a consistent ballplayer.”

At 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, Williams is a little taller and a little thinner than Owens. He’s eight years younger, too. Williams may not be as fast, but the difference is not dramatic.

“I don’t see a drop-off,” tight end Jason Witten said.

The difference is results.

Williams’ best year (82 catches, 1,310 yards) would be about fifth-best for Owens. The starkest stat is touchdowns: Williams has 30 over his five-year career; Owens scored 38 over three years in Dallas.

Then again, remember that few receivers in NFL history can match Owens’ stats. Williams also has been hurt by playing on Detroit teams with few other offensive weapons.

“Roy is one of those players that feeds off momentum,” said Jon Kitna, Williams’ quarterback in his breakout season with the Lions and now his teammate again in Dallas.