But at the start of rookie minicamp Friday, McGee acted more like outspoken San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers than he did Tony Romo.

Asked about a verbal shot directed his way recently by Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, McGee said, "There is a verse in Proverbs that says don't respond to a fool (according to his) folly. I believe that in all my heart."

The "fool," in this case, is Leach, who was upset that Red Raiders quarterback Graham Harrell went undrafted and then directed his anger at McGee, telling the Dallas Morning News, "I'm happy for Stephen McGee. The Dallas Cowboys like him more than his coaches at A&M did."

The Cowboys selected McGee, who attended grade school and most of middle school in San Antonio, despite the fact he played primarily in a run-oriented offense in college.

"It's kind of amusing, (considering) the source," McGee said of the flap Leach created. "But it's just part of playing the position. You're always going to have doubters. I've always had critics."

On his first day on the job, McGee received nothing but praise from Jones and coach Wade Phillips. Sharing snaps with undrafted free agent Rudy Carpenter from Arizona State, McGee displayed a strong, accurate arm.

"McGee was poised," Phillips said. "I was really pleased with his accuracy."

Jones continued to rave about McGee's ability to improvise, a trait that prompted the "nine-ish" comment.

"He's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, so that's about as good a compliment as I can get," McGee said. "I don't think I'm close to anything that resembles No. 9 right now. I've got a long way to go, a lot of offense to learn. I'm excited to be learning from a guy like Tony. It doesn't get any better, and also a guy like Jon Kitna, who's played (12) years, that's pretty awesome."

Despite his rawness, McGee has lofty goals.

"I want to be a starter, win Super Bowls," McGee said. "I expect a lot out of myself."

It's an attitude Jones hopes the team's 11 other picks share.

"I'm glad he has that kind of vision," Jones said. "If you wait until you climb through the ring ropes before you think and have pictured yourself as heavyweight champ, you'll never get it. It will go right past you and you won't understand it was even there to get."

McGee's mother, who lives in San Antonio, said her son has always dreamed big.

"He's very single-minded in his determination to be the best," said Susan McGee, president and general counsel of U.S. Global Investors Inc., a San Antonio-based mutual fund company.

Now, after being drafted a round later than he thought he'd be and after Leach's comments, McGee is more determined than ever to succeed.

"It's another ounce of motivation, another reminder I have to come out and work my butt off," McGee said. "I have a lot of doubters out there, and I have to push myself even harder."