After missing the camp last year before signing his great contract, Lamb's leadership feels in his teammates this summer.
OXNARD, California — CeeDee Lamb I did not want to believe that the training camp imported so much while training in Houston during a prolonged contractual negotiation with the Dallas Cowboys last summer.
The open receiver, selected for the PRO Bowl, was faster than ever. I was stronger than ever.
At the end of August, after the Cowboys finished the camp in Oxnard, California, signed its four -year contract for 136 million dollars and was ready to play, at least that was believed. During the first six games, he was on his way to a 91 -year -old season and 1323 yards, but he was not completely in tune with the field marshal Dak Prescott.
It was in week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers when he really felt the disconnection. Although he caught seven of the eight passes that Prescott launched in the first half, they only added 49 yards.
“It was then that I thought: 'Wow! Everything I did (to stay in shape) was only for me,” Lamb said. “Honestly, making sure to be in the best possible way; not that I was in the best way for my team with the boys I love (after losing my camp). It was a bit weird for me. It was a different season. It was my new normality, but it was not normal for me.”
During the first two weeks of this year's training camp, the only happiest person to be in Oxnard is the Cazamariscales Sam Williamswho was lost all last season due to a left anterior cross ligament that suffered last summer. But Lamb follows him closely.
“I love each part of being here, the constant effort,” Lamb acknowledged. “Even when I'm tired, I think a little about last year. When I wasn't here, I wasn't tired and just did what I like. And it was better in my trade and I wore this helmet on. And I could work with Dak, talk to him and understand what he sees.”
Lamb understands that he has to adapt his game to the Prescott. The time spent on Oxnard activity helps strengthen its connection. Lamb finished that game against San Francisco with 13 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns, but they would not play together or at the end of the rest of the season because Prescott suffered an avulsion in the tendon of the right corva the following week against the Atlanta Falcons.
Lamb suffered a shoulder sprain against the Falcons, which affected him during the rest of the season until the team stopped two games from the end, when the cowboys were eliminated from the contest by the playoffs.
“I come here willing to prove my worth every day,” Lamb said, now 100% recovered. “I don't care how much money has earned. I don't care how much money you have seen on the Internet. That has nothing to do with my presence in the field.”
Lamb is determined to strengthen his presence outside the field. When he arrived as first round in 2020, he relied on Amari Cooper. Then, in 2023 and 2024, he had the help of another veteran, Brandin Cooks.
At 26, Lamb is assuming one more leadership role.
“Its growth over the years is evident,” he said Jalen Tolbertyour teammate during the last three years. “Obviously, his game speaks on his own, but now he is beginning to use his voice more and more in the meeting room, giving advice and ideas on how to create separation or make way.”
During Monday's training, Lamb worked with the non -recruited rookie Trashon holden on how to analyze the pressure coverage of a defensive back during a break. The owner and general manager Jerry Jones has noticed the growth of Lamb.
“In every step of the road he has done what the big ones do, and has simply evolved and improved more and more,” Jones said. “And he is fulfilling his contract. He is fulfilling the deal.”
The incorporation of George Pickens In an exchange from the Pittsburgh Steelers gives Lamb a serious threat on the other side of the field. It also gives Pickens a veteran to follow. From the organized activities of the team to the first part of the camp, Lamb and Pickens seem to have been very close.
“When you know them personally, the connection changes,” Pickens said.
In his rookie year, the “Hard Knocks” cameras captured Lamb asking Cooper all kinds of questions. Now it is Lamb who offers the answers.
“The fact of being in this situation, under this light, with the success I have had in this league, I am excited to remember moments like that. I'm glad to have had players like that,” Lamb said. “And I want to be that player for these guys. I want to see them play and be excellent, be great, be remembered in this league, because this does not last long, right? And time is limited. So let's take advantage of it to the fullest. And let's build all these memories together, and then, perhaps 20 years later, we can remember them and say: 'Caramba, we had a great streak!'”
Lamb is in the middle of a large statistically speaking streak. He has registered three consecutive seasons of 100 receptions, the first in the history of the team. A fifth consecutive season of 1,000 yards in 2025 would match the team record, held by the member of the Michael Irvin Hall.
Lamb has goals, but he doesn't want to share all the details. However, some are not based on statistics. He wants to spend a full season without dropping the ball. He wants to better control his body to not slip on the routes. And he wants to be healthy to play all the games.
“I feel that the league knows what happens when I'm healthy and I have Dak all season,” Lamb concluded. “But if you don't know, I will gladly show you what it will be like this year. Honestly, I am a dominant receiver. I don't like talking very well about myself, but I'm looking forward to demonstrating it.”
