CeeDee Lamb’s struggles through the last three weeks of the season have been real. It’s impossible to ignore statistics, but the numbers don’t always talk louder on paper.
Through the first five weeks of the 2023 season, we have learned a lot about players and their stories. From the rise of Puka Nacua to the fall of Aaron Rodgers, many resounding storylines have become clear. Another message is starting to emerge from the haze, and it has Cowboys fans shaking in their boots. Here is why the current stat line and production levels from CeeDee Lamb should not concern the Dallas faithful.
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Why It’s Not Time to Start Panicking About CeeDee Lamb’s Production
The Others are Getting Involved
Since 2021, Dallas’ offense has always seemed to lack one key element. Whether it be physicality, speed, or hands, it’s not often that Dallas has it all. In 2023, Dallas might have it all. They have speed with newly acquired Brandin Cooks, hands with reliable Michael Gallup, and physicality with Lamb. All that his struggles have to prove so far is that Dallas is putting heavier priority on their speed and hands receivers. Lamb will get his fair share sooner than later.
Ceedee Lamb’s struggles started right after the Patriots game, when he caught his first touchdown of 2023. Since that game, Lamb has only recorded four catches for 49 yards. It’s only been one week, but Dallas fans are panicking. It’s not time to put on the panic shoes just yet, as Lamb is simply a tool in a toolbox that hasn’t been used enough just yet. The Cowboys are going to find more ways to involve Brandin Cooks. His straight-line speed is a tool Dak hasn’t really had in his NFL career. Given the extensive health at wide receiver and Prescott’s new toys, don’t panic because CeeDee isn’t getting the rock like he has before.
“I’m definitely trusting the process,” said Cowboys wide reciever Brandin Cooks.
Good Health
CeeDee Lamb’s struggles don’t bode very well for Dallas’ high powered offense. In 2023, Dallas was supposed to be the top offensive and defensive unit. While neither of which have been achieved yet, Lamb remains healthy. There’s no need to panic on lack of production if it can be chalked up to something that isn’t injury related.
The current average for targets per game for Lamb is 7. He finished 2022 with 156 receptions, which would net 9 targets caught per game. Lamb isn’t playing poorly, he is simply not getting the large target share he was at this time last year. Dallas still has their toughest CB schedule ahead of them, and Lamb tends to shine against the big ones. There’s no shame in biding your time and playing with your health in mind. Tyler Lockett often falls down after the catch simply for his health. There is a very good chance that Lamb’s slow start could be based on prolonging his health.
It’s Time to Panic When…
Cowboys fans have an uncanny ability to panic and call it a season after football happens. Look at the 2022 season, Prescott went down and many called it a day right away. That was the wrong time to panic.
Once upon a time in 2020, the Dallas Cowboys lost tight end Blake Jarwin, linebacker Leighton Vander-Esch, and their special teams juice all in one game. The Week 1 loss to Los Angeles proved that Dallas would be without key players and the coaching staff was lost. This was the prime time to panic. So far, 2023 looks nothing like 2020 and it’s for the better. CeeDee Lamb’s struggles look diminutive compared to 2020.
It will be time to panic if Dallas loses a key offensive, defensive, and coaching talent within a short time span. In the event that Dallas loses another irreplicable player like Daron Bland or Zack Martin, break out the panic machine. It will also be time to panic if CeeDee Lamb’s targets drop to below four a game. The Cowboys have absolutely no need to get upset or panic at the moment, as very few players will be out for 2023. We miss you, Trevon Diggs.
The 2020 losses sent Dallas into a downward spiral, that eventually landed on Micah Parsons. It all worked out in the end, but 2020 was a year to forget. While all was lost quite early barring Prescott’s ankle break, there was hope early on. The panic shoes and hat came out after prescott’s injury, and rightly so. It’s not time to do the same at all, as CeeDee Lamb’s struggles can be explained by the new tools in the toolkit and him preserving his health. Look for Lamb to have a big week against the Chargers on Monday night.
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Main Photo: Darren Yamashita – USA Today Sports
