George Pickens didn’t waste much time pushing back after Greg Newsome’s comments about the Giants’ cornerback room.
Newsome, the New York Giants cornerback, made a pair of bold statements last week before the Week 1 meeting with the Dallas Cowboys. First, he said the Giants had the best cornerbacks room in the league, a line that drew plenty of attention. He explained it this way:
"I think we got the best cornerback room in the league when you talk about depth and just guys having the ability to play," he said. "I feel like all of us can be out there Week 1 and play at a very elite level."
Newsome also showed confidence in the matchup itself, while praising both Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.
"Definitely great players, but I like our chances," Newsome said, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.
Pickens answered Wednesday after practice, and he didn’t exactly buy into the Giants’ self-assessment.
“That’s definitely how he should feel. Now, how we should feel, I’d definitely say a completely different story. That’s cool that he thinks that," Pickens said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic.
“He should definitely feel like that, but I feel like we’re definitely not thinking the same thing," Pickens added.
From there, Pickens turned the conversation toward Dallas’ own receiving duo. He said he believes he and Lamb are the league’s top pair.
“We definitely feel like we’re the (NFL’s) best (WR tandem)," Pickens stated.
Pickens said he doesn’t spend much time tracking other receiver duos, though he did mention the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as another pairing often mentioned in that conversation. Even so, he made clear where he thinks Dallas stands.
“Me personally, no. That’s how good I think we are. I don’t even look at or really watch other guys," Pickens said.
“I definitely think me and CeeDee have made a lot more splash plays," he added when asked about Chase and Higgins.
The numbers back up why Dallas feels confident. Pickens finished last season with 1,429 yards, while Lamb posted 1,077 in only 14 games. Both were the kind of receivers who would be the top target on most offenses, and together they give the Cowboys a matchup problem most defenses would rather avoid.
Pickens was also asked about Giants head coach John Harbaugh, and he said he "thinks of physicality," according to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News.
That part didn’t bother him.
“I played at Georgia and in the SEC, so I’ve been doing it my whole life," Pickens said.
The Cowboys already know what can happen when Pickens and Lamb get rolling against New York. In Week 2 of last season, Pickens caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Lamb went for nine catches and 112 yards in Dallas’ 40-37 overtime win.
If the Giants want to back up Newsome’s confidence on Sunday, their cornerbacks room is going to need a much bigger night than that.
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John Harbaugh Is Already Turning Up The Tension Before Cowboys Opener
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Cowboys May Have Found A Scary New Way To Use George Pickens
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Head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants the passing game to create more problems for defenses, and Pickens versatility could be a big part of that approach. Dallas is hoping that a more varied deployment, including more work in the slot, can build on a season in which Pickens piled up 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns and turn an already dangerous weapon into something even harder to track. [Read more 🡒]