IRVING – Roy Williams is still battling to overcome criticism he's received since joining the Cowboys.

The wide receiver showed a testy side Tuesday when asked if he was finding a different gear after a strong week of workouts.

"That's you guys," Williams said to a pack of reporters. "Anytime I catch four or five balls in practice, I took it to 'another gear.' But I'm just the same guy. I'm the same sorry wide receiver that Jerry [Jones] traded for to get out of Detroit. That's me."

Asked if criticism from former Cowboys players was getting to him, Williams replied: "It really is funny to me. I love it. Whether it's Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Darren Woodson, I love it. I appreciate it.

"I appreciate it because you have to prove how good you are all of the time. You have to have that Jerry Rice mind-set of, 'I'm not good enough.' So when I have guys, especially NFL greats like we have here in Dallas, saying I can't get the job done, that makes me feel good. I want to go out and prove it not only to them but to everybody else across the world who listens to those guys."

Williams said he and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had a special moment in Monday's practice, and he's looking forward to more of them.

"He threw a ball that was on time and right at the landmark where it was supposed to be," Williams said. "I think that's the second or third time that's ever happened where I was in the right spot, and the ball was in the right spot, and it just clicked and looked real pretty on film. We want to get to that 100 percent of the time. So far, we've only had three or four of those."

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips believes that's a good sign.

"Tony's throwing the ball before Roy cuts," Phillips said. "It happens more and more these days. That's real timing there."

Folk still battling hip: Cowboys kicker Nick Folk, who had right hip surgery in early May, said he feels his body is pretty much healed. However, he has missed his two field goal attempts in the preseason.

Folk said the issue is mental.

"The strength is coming back to what it was, but at the same time, subconsciously, I need to get over the fact that I had surgery and it hurt for so long last year," Folk said.

"I honestly think the biggest problem is I'm not trusting it enough. Once I can get to that place mentally, I think it will be a lot easier."

Briefly: The Cowboys will hold an open practice at 6 p.m. Thursday at Cowboys Stadium. Parking will be $10, and the stadium will open at 5 p.m. An alumni autograph session will begin at 5 p.m., with Larry Brown, Tony Casillas, Dixon Edwards, Walt Garrison, Charles Haley, Drew Pearson, Preston Pearson and Charlie Williams expected to attend.

WR Sam Hurd (quadriceps) and DE Marcus Spears (quadriceps) missed practice Tuesday. Phillips said the team is being cautious with both and that Spears should return to practice today. ... The Cowboys waived RB Alonzo Coleman after reaching an injury settlement. He had been slowed for most of training camp by a knee injury.