'I'm Free!' Dallas Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb Credits Coach Mike McCarthy For Hot Start

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb is off to a strong start to the 2023 season, in large part thanks to coach Mike McCarthy.

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb has already had one of the best starts to his career of any pass-catcher in franchise history, and early on in his fourth season, he doesn't seem keen on slowing down any time soon.

Through two games, Lamb has been exceptional with 15 receptions for 220 yards. He ranks in the top 10 league-wide in both stats, and one player ahead of him, San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel, has played one more game than Lamb. Aside from finding the end zone, Lamb has done essentially everything the Cowboys could ask of him so far.

To Lamb, coach Mike McCarthy has been a key facilitator in his hot start this season.

“Mike,'' Lamb said, "is doing a great job of putting me in different places, lining me up, having me run different routes, showing my route tree and ultimately letting me play free. … I’ve definitely learned to just go out there and be myself, play my game and let the game come to me. Mike has done a great job of helping me with that.''

After the Cowboys parted way with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in the offseason, McCarthy assumed play-calling duties for this season. McCarthy has done a good job so far, as the Cowboys have scored the most points in the league through two weeks. They haven't gained a ton of yards, but when they're scoring so many points, it's easy to overlook that.

Lamb is coming off a career year in 2022, when he caught 107 passes for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns. The Oklahoma product averaged just under 80 yards per game last season, but with an average of 110 yards per game this year, he's on pace to smash last year's mark. It's still early, of course, but Lamb's hot start deserves credit.

Lamb and the Cowboys will have a chance to continue their hot start on Sunday when they travel to face the lowly Arizona Cardinals. ... with the Pro Bowl receiver maybe having a chance to "play free'' against a team that figures to be a positive matchup for Dallas "Texas Coast Offense.''