FRISCO - I used to call it "Second-Chance Valley Ranch,'' a play on both the Dallas Cowboys former headquarters and on Jerry Jones' penchant for wishing to rescue wounded birds ...
In the form of talented NFL players who'd fallen short in some department.
Sometimes, it's been about injuries. Other times it's been about reputation.
"Second-Chance Valley Ranch,'' meet George Pickens.
Pickens, 24, has in just three NFL seasons developed reputation as an overly-emotional "cancer'' - a horrible word that is being used a lot right now in Pittsburgh as the gifted receiver departs the Steelers.
A hateful IG post is now making the rounds ... with George claiming he's been hacked, or AI'ed, or something.
The post labels the Steelers as "cheap'' and uses the N-word as well. And there are two problems here ...
One, Pickens - acquired last week by the Dallas Cowboys in a trade that essentially sent a third-round draft pick to the Steelers - claims that Steelers fans are "liars'' who created this post.
And two, George's reputation - with so many stories now coming out of Pittsburgh about coach Mike Tomlin and the locker-room leaders there having grown tired of Pickens' immaturity and troublesome behavior - makes the hateful post sound almost real enough.
It is up to new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and QB Dak Prescott to get George "fixed'' on the field; he has the talent to match his new running mate CeeDee Lamb, which is saying something.
But Jerry Jones, who recently met with the new player, can play a key role here, too.
Jones' ability in the areas of marketing and PR and sales are unmatched. That's sometimes an irritant to Cowboys fans who worry that he can prioritize those things over, you know, actually being the GM of the football team.
But those abilities could come in handy right now for Pickens, who could use a public-image makeover.
Pickens' first visit with the media last week has him sounding excited to be a part of a "winning culture" with the Cowboys. But there is another part of the Dallas culture that can help him as he works toward a new contract in 2026.
Being humble and mature? That would help.
But learning at the shoulder of Jerry Jones when it comes to how to spin and how to win in the court of public opinion? Consider the fact that Jones, as beaten up as he so often is by fans and media, still ends up on top. Every time.
In that regard, this player has come to the right place - "Second-Chance Valley Ranch at The Star'' - at the right time. Because the one man who can save George Pickens from himself is ... Jerry Jones.