With opening day just a little more than two months away, Randall Cobb will be wearing a uniform other than the Green Bay Packers for the first time in his NFL career. Cobb, 28-year old veteran receiver, signed a one-year deal to play for the Dallas Cowboys back in March.
He played college football for the University of Kentucky and made SEC All-Freshman team as a quarterback. He transitioned to wide receiver as a sophomore and blossomed into a legitimate NFL prospect as a junior. In fact, he had over 1000 yards receiving and 424 on the ground before declaring eligible for the NFL Draft.
Drafted by the Packers in the 2nd round (64th overall), Cobb contributed 25 catches for 375 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. His production soared to 80 catches for 954 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012. On his way to a stellar 2013, Cobb suffered a broken fibula in week six. His 2014 season was the best of his NFL career, hauling in 91 catches for 1287 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cobb continued solid production the remainder of his time in Green Bay, although last season was limited to six starts and 38 catches due to a hamstring injury.
In a league when the average longevity is less than four seasons, Cobb has already doubled that and to have played eight seasons with one team is also a rarity in the NFL. After 470 receptions, 41 touchdowns and a Pro Bowl appearance, Cobb takes his talents to Dallas, where he will replace Cole Beasley, who signed a four-year deal with the Buffalo Bills in March.
Cobb admits his time in Green Bay was at times disappointing — mainly due to the elusive Super Bowl title, despite being a part of several excellent teams during his tenure. There was also clear frustration at his inability at times to stay healthy and inconsistent production. The fact that the Packers never put an offer on the table to retain Cobb was disappointed and truth is that Cobb’s preference was to remain with the Packers. But the page has now turned to Dallas.
Although it felt strange, awkward and downright weird at first, Cobb feels his transition moving to Dallas is going well. He feels he has become acclimated to the area, developing relationships with his new teammates and working hard at learning a new offensive scheme in time for the regular season.
Of clear importance for Cobb is showing the coaching staff how he goes about his work in practice, presence in the locker room and trying to gain the respect of his new teammates. Reports are that Cobb is already forming chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott. While that is important, it’s crucial the chemistry moves smoothly from the practice field to regular season action. Of utmost importance for Cobb is to remain healthy. If he does so, he will add another weapon to already solid offensive core group that includes Amari Cooper, Ezekiel Elliott, and Jason Witten.
Cobb notes that the move to Dallas is much the same as breaking up with an ex-girlfriend. Years down the road, you hope you’re in a better situation in your life and you can say that I did it better without you in my life. While he’ll have fond memories with the team that drafted him, he hopes to write even more successful chapters during the rest of his NFL career with the Cowboys and wherever else his NFL path takes him.