Photo Courtesy: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — “For me to go against a guy I actually watched growing up excel in this jersey number, and to have the opportunity to play against him is a huge honor on my end and speaks volumes on his part, “ CeeDee Lamb described to local media via conference call on facing Dez Bryant.
No.88 has been an iconic number in Cowboys’ history with some of the team’s most illustrious receivers wearing those digits on the gridiron. The number carries tremendous weight, especially for a rookie. During primetime on Tuesday in Baltimore as the cowboys square off against the Ravens, past and present will be on opposing sidelines.
Lamb described “ Very prestigious number. Grateful to put that number on my back every Sunday and every day at practice…He [Dez Bryant] definitely did a great job here and I’m looking to continue the legacy with the jersey number.”
Bryant followed in Michael Irvin’s footsteps wearing the decorated 88 and lived up to the high expectations, becoming the Cowboys’ all-time leader in touchdown receptions. Now, a new era has dawned for Dallas. Lamb, the top receiver prospect in the 2020 Draft fell to the 17th pick and the Cowboys not only jumped at the opportunity selecting the best player available, but also wanted him to join in the lineage of the distinguished jersey number.
Each receiver is unique in his own play style and rather than try and emulate Bryant’s aggression on routes or miraculous contorted catches, Lamb has tried to embody the consistency that Dez modeled throughout his career with the Cowboys.
“ You could tell every year he got better and that’s definitely what I’m trying to do; every game get better, every week get better, every rep get better. That’s kind of how I take this approach. I’ve been having this type of approach going into this season just by me being a rookie, having something to prove.”
Lamb has played a lot of snaps from the slot in his pro bowl-caliber rookie year and has made some famed catches of his own, including the end zone grab against the Vikings that certainly had a Dez-like flair to it. Andy Dalton overthrew the pass and Lamb flipped his body around in the air and perfectly tracked the ball to haul it in practically one-handed as he fell to the ground. He is a competitor with an insane catch radius that has brought justice to his predecessors wearing the famed 88.
Throughout his childhood, the Oklahoma product honed in on innovative body control activities in the pool and trampoline to practice making insane catches that has translated to the field. Lamb built his drive/ aggression at the point of attack during fun drills with friends that carried over into his NFL career on full display between the hash marks.
“ With my friends and my brothers, we definitely had this competition every time we played, who could make the craziest catch. However you do it, you did it. Multiple guys in one area, you throw the ball up and whatever happens, happens. That’s kind of how I envision it every time I see the ball in the air and I definitely try to have the mindset that it’s my ball, it’s not 50-50.”
Lamb has met and frankly, exceeded the hype this season. He has earned the number the Cowboys entrusted to him. On Tuesday, he will no doubt strive to showcase his skills by creating new celebrated highlights for the Cowboys, as the former star cast member of many renowned highlights watches from the Ravens sideline. The game many fans have waited for is here.
