George Pickens Responds To Cowboys Criticism: 'I'm Doing What They Tell Me!'

Brian Schottenheimer is not a "throw-a-player-under-the-bus'' kind of boss.

But in the case of George Pickens?

The Dallas Cowboys head coach definitely pointed his struggling receiver toward the Greyhound Station.

The Cowboys are off to a rotten start this season and are 2-4 as they prep for a "Monday Night Football'' visit to Philadelphia, where the Eagles have the same record and maybe worse problems.

One of Dallas' woes?

Accusations from outside The Star that Pickens is sometimes playing like he's "lazy'' ... and a pointed in-public speech essentially about that same topic from his usually player-friendly coach.

Oh, and Pickens has now responded verbally to Schottenheimer's nudge.

Said the coach on Thursday: "He needs to understand that he impacts us in the running game as well. He's got to do the same thing in the run game - picking up safeties and blocking corners - just like (running back) Javonte (Williams) does, picking up blitzes so he can catch balls.

"That's part of the team-first mindset, and GP does understand that.''

Pickens' response?

“Well, I’m doing what they tell me to do. So, do what they tell me to do.”

On Schottenheimer saying he needs to block better:

“I feel like as a team, I feel like run, pass, a lot of stuff. You know what I mean?''

Actually, no sir, we do not.

Continued Pickens: "I feel like if you narrow the comments down, you’re talking about the team. So most definitely I feel like as a team, just keep improving.”

Pickens' approach here is actually wise. He's declining to engage in a public debate with his coach, and he's deflecting coaches' criticisms that we can tell you aren't just about "blocking.''

This is also about running routes - every route, even when the ball isn't designed to come to you - with crispness and intensity.

Pickens' failures in that area were a problem in Pittsburgh, and were among the "baggage'' reasons he was traded to Dallas a year ago.

There's no questioning Pickens' ability as a pass catcher; he's a gifted player, and the Cowboys' use of the $27.3 million franchise tag means they recognize that.

But as he bids for a new contract next year (in Dallas or elsewhere) that could approach $40 million APY? His so-far numbers - 33 catches for 428 yards and one touchdown - don't merit that.

And Schottenheimer's remarks hint at the same.

Funny thing here: The coach's speech on Pickens started with him questioning whether the player "understood'' his job ... and closed with the coach insisting Pickens does "understand'' his job.

Which is it?

Schottenheimer did credit Pickens for not losing his cool over not getting the ball; Pickens has 52 targets compared to 69 for CeeDee Lamb.

“GP is one of those guys where I don't ever see him really affected in terms of ... the emotion,'' the coach said.

But all that really means is that Pickens doesn't throw a tantrum over targets. ... leaving open the possibility that an occasional lack of effort is how he expresses his displeasure.

The bottom line? Schottenheimer loves to proclaim that he "loves'' his players and he believes he has a special relationship with Pickens, which means the public addressing of this issue was done with intend, maybe to push a "GP'' button that gets the most out of him.

Pickens will have a chance to respond not with works but with actions to Schottenheimer's challenge when the Cowboys visit the Eagles on "Monday Night Football.''