Cowboys Mike McCarthy West Coast Offense: Who Benefits Most?
Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert's rookie season was underwhelming. The former South Alabama star could not get going in Kellen Moore's offense and could only manage two receptions for 12 yards in eight games.
He struggled to get snaps as Noah Brown, Semi Fehoko and even Dennis Houston were all above him in the pecking order regarding snap counts.
But now, with McCarthy installed as the new offensive play-caller and with a decided shift to a West Coast offense, in addition to the move being "Dak Prescott-friendly'' and surely fitting for CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Tony Pollard - could we see Tolbert develop quickly as part of it?
His two seasons for South Alabama prior to being drafted were very productive.
In 2020, Tolbert caught 64 passes for 1,085 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He followed that up a year later, having 1,474 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 82 receptions.
Hence the reason many thought Tolbert would be a starter come Week 1.
His scouting report offers a glimpse of what could be in McCarthy's new offense.
Among the West Coast offense's primary objectives is to get the ball out of the quarterback's hand quickly. Slant routes are particularly effective as they take little time to develop and are often more of a "pitch and catch" between quarterback and receiver.
Tolbert might just be a fit there. Additionally, with a new voice calling the plays, maybe McCarthy can see something in Tolbert that Moore didn't.
Some want the Cowboys to part ways with Tolbert after just one season, but that is a nonsensical idea given the fact that he's on a cheap rookie contract - meaning there is nothing to lose by continuing the experiment, especially with a conscientious guy like Tolbert, who is still learning the sport.
A new offense and a different approach to how it operates? As it relates to the growth of Jalen Tolbert ... there is nowhere to go but up.
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