{"id":51221,"date":"2025-05-26T03:16:57","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T03:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=51221"},"modified":"2025-05-26T03:16:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T03:16:57","slug":"cowboys-offer-george-pickens-protection-from-ugly-critics-says-insider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=51221","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys Offer George Pickens ‘Protection’ From Ugly Critics, Says Insider.."},"content":{"rendered":"
“There will be a time and a place when George Pickens will feel the heat and will have to deal with it. But right now? Dallas is a soft place to land. The Cowboys are a shield for him while he gets things figured out.” – Insider Mike Fisher.<\/div>\n
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FRISCO – Finally,\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0receiver\u00a0CeeDee Lamb\u00a0has a “little brother.”<\/p>\n

The All-Pro wideout Lamb, at just age 26, has created for himself an impressive resume – one that earns him $34 million per year.<\/p>\n

Along the way, he’s benefited from guidance, from coaches, of course, including the departed\u00a0Mike McCarthy\u00a0and his replacement, Brian Schottenheimer. And QB Dak Prescott? He’s certainly taken Lamb under his wing since CeeDee’s arrival here as a 2020\u00a0NFL Draft\u00a0first-round pick out of Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

But another feature? Amari Cooper was once a teammate and mentor. Then Brandin Cooks was the same.<\/p>\n

Now? The accomplished “old guy” in the receiver room is Lamb.<\/p>\n

And along comes a “little brother” in 24-year-old running mate George Pickens.<\/p>\n

Yes, they’ve talked of “both being WR1’s,” and that can be true. And yes, once Pickens got here in trade from the\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers – where the critics continue to say ugly things about his three-year tenure there – he dubbed the pair “Goodfellas” … which works for us.<\/p>\n

Oh, and Schottenheimer testifying that “GP” has been hard at work studying and “incredible” in every way?<\/p>\n

All good.<\/p>\n

But Lamb’s new teammate comes with a reputation that some think is a red flag.<\/p>\n

And that’s not going to go away just because of some pretty words at OTAs here at The Star, with workouts continuing this week.<\/p>\n

A solution? Long-time\u00a0Cowboys\u00a0insider Mike Fisher offers up one.<\/p>\n

“There will be a time and a place when Pickens will feel the heat and will have to deal with it,” Fish said. “But right now? Dallas is a soft place to land. The Cowboys are a shield for him while he gets things figured out.<\/p>\n

“He can, in a way and for a while, be ‘protected’ by his teammates and protected by The Star.”<\/p>\n

Known for his fiery personality on the field and reported off-field issues with missed meetings, Pickens comes to Dallas looking to change the perception of him as a person and player.<\/p>\n

And part of Fish’s point is that guys like Lamb, saying and doing the right things, could help push that reputation in a better direction …<\/p>\n

Not to mention pushing the talented Pickens in a better direction.<\/p>\n

Calling himself a “chill guy” as Dallas began OTAs at The Star, Pickens really has said and done all the right things since arriving, and he will be looking to make the most of his time with the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

But as for the “narrative” surrounding George? Lamb is ready to pull out that shield.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew who he was as a player just watching him at the Steelers and how passionate he is about the game,\u201d Lamb said. \u201cI think (the critics) kind of get it confused; you’re so passionate about something, you’re willing to do anything for it, right?<\/p>\n

“Just being happy in an organization – not saying he wasn’t, not saying that he was (in Pitttsburgh), but he hasn’t stopped smiling since he got here.”<\/p>\n

It is possible that maybe Pickens just needed a fresh look to continue his career.<\/p>\n

But Fish thinks it’s something more. As he shifts into becoming part of this culture, and as the bumps in the road inevitably come, Lamb and his\u00a0new teammates are in his corner.<\/p>\n

And Pickens can use that as part of his foundation for a new reputation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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