Cowboys Catch of Camp? VIDEO Jalen Tolbert 'Transformed!'
Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert's redemption story added yet another chapter on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And then, just for fun, on Tuesday at camp in Oxnard came one more page to the book.
All throughout the preseason, Tolbert has looked like a completely different player. He is oozing confidence, running crisp routes and seemingly not in his head as much, which then allows him to play fast.
Now watch the crispness - plus footwork and body control - on exhibit here ...
Against the Jaguars, Tolbert again marked his improvement with an impressive performance as he hauled in two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown while having another superb reception wiped out over a dubious offensive pass interference call.
But what did coach Mike McCarthy think about his performance?
"I love it," McCarthy said. "I'm just so happy for him. What he's done out here being transformed to the field Saturday, he did a lot of good things. He's doing the little things. He's sticking his nose in there on the blocking assignments, and that's the stuff that he needed to improve on from last year. I really like what JT's done."
What Tolbert likely did with his efforts against the Jaguars is firmly put two hands on the WR4 position.
With KaVonate Turpin, Jalen Brooks, and Simi Fehoko also battling it out, there is now Tolbert and then daylight.
The receiver position was a major point of focus against Jacksonville, but so too was the running back position. Deuce Vaughn, Rico Dowdle, Hunter Luepke, and Malik Davis all had an opportunity to show that they are deserving to be Tony Pollard's backup.
For Davis and Dowdle, how did McCarthy see the duo's performance?
"I thought they did some really nice things," McCarthy said. "I like the way they played and the new emphasis on what we're trying to do. I think the illustration of the backs touching the ball 31 times is a reflection of that. I thought they ran the ball the right way, and we had ten passes go to the backs. Protection first, checkdown awareness, I thought we got off to a good start there."
So, all in all, there were plenty of positives for the Cowboys' younger players looking to stake their claim for a coveted roster spot.
While it is only one game, the younger brigade will again look to impress "Big Mike" and the coaching staff when they take on the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Saturday night, and hopefully, some more Tolbert "Love" will follow as well. ... just as it is "transforming'' itself from practice field to stadium.
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