FRISCO, Texas — The word of the week for the Dallas Cowboys is "frustration", or maybe even "anger", and for good reason. They're 1-2 on the season and the two losses were both at AT&T Stadium, marking a three-game slide when factoring in the playoff loss as well against the Green Bay Packers in January, so when players like CeeDee Lamb's emotions get the best of him, well, that tracks.
The All-Pro receiver caught a lot of heat from outside of the building after wearing his frustrations, and anger, on his sleeve in Week 3, and didn't speak immediately after the game to allow time for cooler heads to prevail.
On Tuesday, just ahead of the departure for the Big Apple, Lamb not only spoke, but his words were drenched in accountability and self-awareness.
"I know that's not the player I am," Lamb said, apologetic after being apoplectic. "I know that's not the teammate I am. … It was a bad game on my end. I fully take accountability in that.
"I will be better in the future. And it's gonna be fine."
He went on to explain what fueled the actions, and it wasn't necessarily that the offense itself was out of sorts, but mostly because he was upset with himself and disappointed he wasn't contributing in the way he knows he can; and things were made worse by a red zone fumble that added to the list of things that cost the Cowboys the contest.
"I expect a lot out of myself — more than anyone could put on me," he said. "And quite honestly, I failed myself, and obviously I failed the team, just as far as producing and being that game-breaker … I kind of let the game get to my head a little bit. Honestly I got to be truthful to myself and I played a part in that loss, a big part, honestly, and [neither] my body language nor attitude, [helped change] the outcome of the game."
It's not entirely similar to what occurred in 2023 when Lamb was criticized for being away from the team on the sideline during the back end of the loss, but the fuel was exactly the same: self-demand for greatness and angst when it is happening in the moment.
Lamb went on to have a record-setting season thereafter, one that also helped Dak Prescott land an All-Pro nod and runner-up in the NFL MVP race, and both are unscathed from the encounter on Sunday, their personal relationship having a foundation able to withstand earthquakes such as the one experienced against the Ravens.
For his part, Lamb says that part of the equation is a non-story.
"We understand the urgency, and that's between us," he said of Prescott. "We talk about it every day, every night and, if anything, our relationship has gotten stronger. Don't let what's out there fool you. We're brothers to the end, and we know we're all we got.
"I tip my hat to him. I have that much respect for him and I look at him as a brother. With that said, everything is gonna come out — the energy, the passion, the love, the fight, and we'll make up in the end.
"There's no craziness."
Finally, does Lamb foresee a similar arc to his production as the post-49ers affair, when he went on a tear that featured 41 receptions for 617 yards, an 80.4% catch rate and four touchdowns from scrimmage over the four games that followed?
"I plan on doing it again," Lamb said.
For an offense that's been disjointed and struggling with slow starts and finishing drives, that's music to the Cowboys' ears, though it's not only on Lamb to get cooking — it's on everyone.
Though it's good to know where Lamb is aiming his fury going forward:
Across the line of scrimmage.
