FRISCO, Texas – For a few moments on Sunday, rookie center Cooper Beebe took some time to soak it all in. His NFL debut. A lifetime of hard work finally culminating on the biggest stage. But these were quick moments, because one of the best defensive units in football was waiting.
Beebe was no longer in the backyard practicing his snaps, it was time to go to work.
The pressure was ramped up, but you wouldn't know that by the way Beebe played. 62 offensive snaps – not a single pressure allowed in his first game as a pro and first game at the center position. His performance wasn't just one of many high points from the Cowboys' win, but it was the realization of a childhood dream.
"Since I was little, I had dreams of playing in the NFL and just to see my dreams come true, to go out there and play in the NFL man, it's this unreal experience," Beebe said. My parents were crying, they were just so excited for me."
It's incredible to think at how far Beebe climbed, just from the beginning of the Summer to the Week 1 matchup with Cleveland. He went from snapping footballs to his mom in the backyard, to taking second-string reps in Oxnard and battling Brock Hoffman for the starting spot.
He took advantage of every look, every piece of coaching, and secured the job before the end of the preseason. Enough time for his confidence to grow and to absorb extra knowledge from those around him. Taking that confidence to another level, even before his first regular season snap.
"Confidence comes from just being around the guys," Beebe said. "Dak was talking to me pregame, just told me to go out there and play ball and do what I do. Zach and Tyler were just encouraging me while I was out there and that's where it came from. And I knew I was going to go out there and not let the guys down."
After taking a look at the film, and evaluating his NFL debut, Beebe remains unsatisfied in his performance. Even in a game where he held one of the more prolific defensive lines without a pressure, he's keeping his eyes forward.
"There's always stuff to improve on. There's definitely, there's some mistakes I made out there that I definitely need to get fixed and will get fixed, but overall I think I did all right. But there's still lots to improve."
In a game where the defense stole the show, the offense was given the task of holding on to the football. Moving it, at times, was a struggle that Beebe wants to overcome against another solid defense this week when the Saints come to town.
And just as making his NFL debut realized one dream, playing in front of a home crowd will be another one this week against New Orleans.
"Oh, I'm super excited. Honestly, it was pretty impressive. Cowboys Nation travels so well. Wasn't really expecting that, but it was tremendous to see the support and I can't wait to see what a home game looks like."
