SSHS: How should Williams feel?

Each Saturday, the Star-Telegram’s Charean Williams and Ray Buck go point-counterpoint on upcoming games and some of the hot topics in sports. Combined, they’ve covered more than 40 Super Bowls. Charean is also president of the Pro Football Writers of America.

Should Roy Williams be frustrated by his Cowboys stats? Or embarrassed?

CHAREAN: Well, he does have three cracked ribs, but still.... I don't know if he should be embarrassed since he can't throw the ball to himself. But he will tell you his numbers (14 games, 30 catches, 412 yards, two TDs) aren't good. That's not what you expect from your No. 1 receiver, which tells me maybe he isn't a No. 1 receiver.

BUCK: Don’t get me wrong, I like Roy Williams -- in fact, all of ‘em. The Cincinnati Bengal. The North Carolina basketball coach. Even this one. But I think the latter has an opinion of himself that is not realistic -- or maybe that’s the problem. Others see it, too. Warren Moon recently told me, “Roy Williams is a guy who has always enamored me because of his physical traits, but he has never put it all together on the field. I’ve always wondered if he wanted to be that [No. 1] guy. I don’t know how great he wants to be.” Maybe he should be embarrassed that he can’t get this fixed. He has people thinking bad things about him.

How do you see the Patrick Crayton/Miles Austin situation shaking out?

CHAREAN: My bet is the Cowboys will play more three-wide. Martellus Bennett hasn't lived up to expectations in the Cowboys' 12 personnel grouping (two tight end offense), so I think they use more of their three WR sets.

BUCK: I defer to you on this one, Charean, knowing just how much you hate seeing an Aggie get fewer snaps on the field. But let me add this: Crayton truly needs to listen to his own words and use Austin’s new promotion to motivate himself. Drew Pearson, to this day, has never gotten over the fact that the NFL drafted 442 players in 1973 … and he wasn’t one of ‘em. Crayton wasn’t drafted, either. Both guys came from small college football programs. Pearson became driven. He also became Mr. Clutch.

Should Sam Bradford enter the 2010 NFL draft or return to Oklahoma for his senior year?

CHAREAN: Is this a trick question? He should have entered after last season, but hindsight, as we know, is 20/20. The NFL is headed toward a work stoppage in 2011. This will be the last draft class that doesn't have a rookie salary cap, so it's the last time rookies are going to get paid. That's why we didn't see a lot of trades Tuesday. Nobody wants to give up draft picks, knowing it's going to be a great draft class.

BUCK: My guess is that Bradford, with all signs pointing to season-ending shoulder surgery, will be ready for the NFL combine in February … or shortly thereafter. My guess also is that he will still be the first QB taken … probably Top 5, as long as the shoulder is solid. You’re absolutely right, Charean. Outside forces will make up his mind for him. Of course, the money is too stupid for Bradford to play another year for ol’ OU. Two things: 1) Texas plays for the national championship, 2) Colt McCoy wins the Heisman. Either? Neither? Or both?

CHAREAN: Tough questions. Texas has a better chance of winning the national title than Colt does of winning the Heisman. I think he could live with that. The Longhorns are headed toward a showdown against the SEC winner. No one in the Big 12 will beat them if they don't beat themselves.

BUCK: No one has taken control of the Heisman race, and Colt McCoy shouldn’t concede by any means. The Horns are in position to play the SEC winner in the Jan. 7 BCS championship game in Pasadena, Calif., so that makes the national title shot more imaginable than Colt’s Heisman shot. Can anyone beat the Philadelphia Phillies?

CHAREAN: The Yankees. I think it's going to be a really good series, and yes, I already have the Yankees in the World Series. I'll take the Yanks in seven.

BUCK: I, too, want the Yankees to win in seven, but I’m a realist. The Phillies are loaded, rested and will make it back-to-back World Series champs for the first time in nine years. Phillies in six.

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