After a week of speculation and debate, it appears rookie Receiver CeeDee Lamb will be wearing the number 88 for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. The team 1st-Round pick in last week's draft, Lamb will continue a tradition that has involved legendary Dallas receivers Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin, and Dez Bryant.
While most of the Cowboys' drafted rookies had their new numbers announced a few days ago, Lamb's has remained up in the air. While most NFL receivers these days have numbers in the 10-19 range, it was quickly reported after last Thursday night that Jerry Jones wanted CeeDee to continue the legacy of #88 in Dallas.
Sounds like CeeDee Lamb will be wearing No. 88 for the Cowboys, following in the footsteps of Dez Bryant, Michael Irvin and Drew Pearson
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 30, 2020
The Cowboys have used #88 to anoint a new receiver, usually a 1st-Round pick, as entering the organization with high expectations.
However, in this case with CeeDee Lamb, there appears to be some additional motivation behind Jerry's wishes.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he lost a dear friend, former Arkansas teammate Jerry Lamb, in December. He wore No. 88 in college. Jones wants CeeDee Lamb to wear No. 88 with Cowboys in his honor.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 24, 2020
The early talk was that Lamb wanted to wear the #10, which remains open after Tavon Austin became a free agent and hasn't been re-signed. But it appears, as usually happens, that Jerry Jones is getting his way.
Some have disputed this decision as Lamb is joining a WR group that already includes Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. He won't be immediately treated as the top receiver in the offense.
However, that is not unlike what Dez Bryant faced in 2010. He joined the Cowboys when Miles Austin and Roy Williams were already the established starting duo.
It might not mean anything ….. BUT
Fanatics has #88 jerseys for CeeDee Lamb on salehttps://t.co/QiOYwzhY53 (link of proof + to buy) pic.twitter.com/MPAOfdeTCG
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) April 30, 2020
In the end, as we saw with Antonio Bryant back in 2002, it will be ultimately up to the player to add to the history of #88.
But given his perceived talent and 1st-Round status, CeeDee Lamb joins the Dallas Cowboys with all of the expectations for greatness that The Playmaker and Dez Bryant did. If he is anything like them on the field, this Dallas offense is going to be hard to stop.
