When the Cowboys selected CeeDee Lamb with the 17th overall pick in April, they had big plans for what he could do on and off the field for the franchise. In addition to the high performance-related expectations, America's Team has come to expect an additional role from of their premier wide outs: the sports icon.
As is the case in Texas, the Cowboys organization is accustomed to big names, big headlines...and big personalities. Indeed, the Dallas Cowboy wide receiver mantra has been on display over the years through the "88 Club."
The Cowboys' selection of Michael Irvin in the first round of the 1988 draft brought a diva personality to Dallas, which was sustained years later through 2010 first-rounder Dez Bryant. Vocal and in-your-face, these former 88s dominated headlines with locker room contention, showboating and off-the-field issues, all despite the presence of other team superstars like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Tony Romo and Zeke Elliott. Outside of 88 Club, free agents Keyshawn Johnson and Terrell Owens - as well as occasional receiver Deion Sanders - brought the same strong personalities to Dallas.
As for the next guy in line? Well, Lamb doesn't exactly fit the mold. He carries a much lower profile, with no notable off-the-field baggage and much more subtle ways of expressing in-game frustrations. Through a limited number of training camp practices, Lamb has already dazzled, catching most everything thrown to him and establishing early rapport with quarterback Dak Prescott.
While he may be off-brand for the Cowboys, Lamb's playing making abilities on the field and no-nonsense character may be exactly what they need to reach the Super Bowl for first time in over two decades. Alongside the calmer characters of current offensive leaders Prescott and Amari Cooper and blue-collar style of new head coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboy wide receiver mantra may become a thing of the past.
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