Photo Courtesy: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys are projected to have one of the best receiving units in the league with the ridiculous talented trio of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and rookie CeeDee Lamb. Both Cooper and Gallup concluded the 2019 season with 1,000 receiving yards and were one of two receiver duos in the NFL that finished last season with top-ten grades in yards per route, the other being Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
On Tuesday, Mike McCarthy was asked about Michael Gallup and his status as the team’s No.2 receiver but his response differed from the norm behind the podium.
“ Let’s make it clear Michael Gallup is a No.1 receiver in my view. So, I think we are very fortunate to have three players with that level of potential to go out and play at that level. So, the reality of it is everybody wants to live by numbers but it really comes down to opportunities. I’ve been so impressed not only with what Michael’s done on film last year; I mean he was definitely one of the players that really jumped off the video during the offseason study…He’s primed to take the next step.”
Gallup certainly made an impact in the passing game last year with more consistency and contorted catches that awed. He received more of an opportunity last year as defenses specifically game planned around containing Cooper.
“ I saw a lot of one-on-one coverage, “ Gallup told media via conference call. “ I would definitely say that. I had to grow up quick. I had to mature quicker because when they start bracketing Amari Cooper, you’ve got to make plays now. You’ve got to step it up. I feel like I did that. I learned a lot- bad lessons, good lessons. I think it helped me out a lot having Amari Cooper on the other side.”
Now add CeeDee Lamb to the mix. His presence will likely spark another level of Gallup’s play.
On the new addition, Gallup noted “You still got to come into work and then you’ve got the competition level out at practice. CeeDee does something or Coop does something, you want to do it just as good…It’s just we have a whole nother weapon and we already got a bunch of weapons.”
McCarthy has made it clear throughout the offseason that he wants to spread around the ball and get all weapons involved. The individual yards may go down this season as the trio works together on the field and shares the ball, but Gallup is on track to have a breakout year and the head coach has noticed. The new sheriff in town reminded everyone that Gallup is on the same level as Cooper and Lamb. Gallup will certainly be one to watch this upcoming season.
