George Pickens had a quiet debut for the Dallas Cowboys. Some say his performance was unsurprising given his inconsistent past with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Thursday, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky questioned Pickens' commitment ahead of the Cowboys' Week 2 showdown with the New York Giants.
After seeing how he performed against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, the former quarterback has concerns about the wide receiver's effort and engagement on the field.
Speaking on ESPN's "Get Up," Orlovsky was clear about what he expects from Pickens.
"Not enough effort and not enough commitment to the team," Orlovsky said. "For me, it's do you want to be a part of this team and the future of this organization or not?"
He pointed to specific plays where Pickens failed to block effectively, allowing safeties to disrupt runs and pass plays. "You got to block the safety there. Safety runs by you. He gets in on the play," Orlovsky added.
He criticized Pickens for jogging through routes and not showing the full passion and intensity expected from a young, talented player. "I need to watch that tape and know that you're fully committed to every single snap," Orlovsky said. He cited GPS data that showed Pickens was running at top speed only 18% of the time in Week 1, which he described as "not enough" for a player of Pickens' caliber.
Pickens isn't fazed by all the criticism. On Wednesday, he said:
"Just really staying open for them [Schottenheimer and Prescott]. I'm not really worried about the touches, catches, all that stuff."
Sunday's game against the Giants offers him a prime chance to quiet the doubters. With New York struggling, Pickens should realize that this is the moment to prove his value.