The party starts when CeeDee Lamb gets the ball. That’s not just a catchy phrase – it’s the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver’s philosophy that’s powering his response to recent criticism from franchise legend Troy Aikman.

Lamb isn’t running from Aikman’s sharp words about the Cowboys’ receivers’ route-running abilities. Instead, he’s transforming them into motivation. “As a leader, obviously I take it in,” Lamb told NBC Sports’ Jason Garrett. “We got to work. I use it as a building block.”

The story broke on Sunday Night Football (October 26, 2024) when Lamb laid bare his football philosophy. “When I play, I feel like the play hasn’t started until I get the ball,” he told NBC. “When the ball gets in my hands, that’s when the party starts.” His three-word mantra followed: “Let’s go score.”

This fresh mindset arrives at a crucial moment. A couple Of Weeks back, Aikman had fired shots at Dallas’s receivers on 96.7 The Ticket. “I think they run terrible routes,” the Cowboys legend declared on October 17. “I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage.” He specifically targeted Lamb, stating the receiver “has got to improve in his route running.”

The stats paint a stark picture of why Aikman is worried. The Cowboys’ offense has nose-dived from last year’s NFL-leading 29.9 points per game to a pedestrian 21.0, ranking 20th in the league. Lamb’s numbers tell a similar tale – 32 catches for 467 yards and two touchdowns through six games, well off his 2023 pace of 135 catches, 1,749 yards, and 12 scores.

Lamb, however, is taking the high road. When Garrett asked him if the distraction motivated him, he didn’t back off: “Oh no doubt. No doubt.”

Meanwhile, the Cowboys camp is not united in their stance!

A team divided on Aikman’s take on Lamb

Cowboys leadership is divided on the matter. Jerry Jones spoke to 105.3 The Fan on October 22. He is unwavering in his support for his former quarterback. “Troy knows football, my goodness. He lives it,” Jones said. “Troy is credible and should be… I think he’s very fair.”

Quite a different story was told by Mike McCarthy. “They don’t carry any weight with me,” replied the head coach about Aikman’s comments. “I watch all the tape, I get to go to the meetings, I’m at practice, I’m part of the games… I don’t agree with the word selection.”

The timing could not be worse. Dallas is 3-3, and the Detroit Lions trounced them 47-9 in their park. Their passing game averages only 6.1 net yards per attempt, which ranks 18th in the NF. With upcoming battles against the 49ers, Falcons, Eagles, Texans, and Commanders – all sporting winning records – Lamb’s new mindset faces an immediate test.

For now, three words echo through Dallas: “Let’s go score.” It will be interesting to see whether that new attitude will be enough to carry Dallas through the next few weeks and get its sick offense going.