For the Cowboys, it is an understatement to say there has been a lot to deal with lately. Of course, on the field, the team has not played very well and entered its bye week with a loss to the Cardinals, dropping them to 3-5-1. On the roster, the team went through a wild fluctuation, adding two new starters via trade, and three more players off IR. And there was, most important and most impactful, the tragic suicide of teammate Marshawn Kneeland.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer was tested, and appeared to be the right guy to help his team with its emotions, while also turning the focus back to football.
But another challenge presented itself to Schottenheimer before the Cowboys returned to the field for their impressive 33-16 victory over the Raiders in Las Vegas. Schottenheimer said star receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens both “missed some things” (presumably team meetings) that required discipline.
Schottenheimer made the decision to bench both players for the Cowboys’ opening series.
Cowboys Made ‘Tough’ Decision on CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens
After the game, Schottenheimer explained the Cowboys’ decision.
“It’s tough. I made a coach’s decision,” he said. “I had a conversation with those guys, there were some things that were missed and so I had a conversation with those guys, and that was easy.”
But, once on the field, both Lamb and Pickens were outstanding–they combined for 14 catches, 210 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys offense looked like the early-season version of itself.
Said Schottenheimer: “You look at the energy those guys played with, they like, literally, they jump-started the offense when they got back in there. They didn’t hang their heads, they didn’t do any of that stuff and that’s why I love those guys, man. This was a great team win.”
CeeDee Lamb Won’t Explain Actions With George Pickens
As for Lamb and Pickens, all Schottenheimer would say about their violations that led to the initial benching in the Cowboys win was, “Couple things missed.”
Lamb was not going to get into explanations after the game, either.
“I am not going in depth on that. I’m not, I am sorry, I am not,” Lamb said.
But he did explain the mindset he and Pickens brought once the pair was back on the field: “Stepping up and playing how we play, doing how we do.”
Cowboys Still Love Their Stars
There are times, of course, when Schottenheimer has been a bit too player-friendly in how he deals with the Cowboys. If there is concern that he lets players walk on him too much, perhaps the Pickens-Lamb punishment will dispel that. But even in punishment, Schottenheimer said the action was taken with love.
“I told them I love them, man,” he said. “That’s what we do. My role on this team is to have relationships, that’s what we do. I am going to have hard conversations with those guys or any of our players.
“But I also want them to know when there’s decisions to be made, I love them and I appreciate them. I appreciate the way they play.”
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