ARLINGTON, Texas 鈥 Tyler Booker didn't get the outcome he would've liked in his NFL debut, seeing as the 抖阴视频 fell 31-13 to the visiting Baltimore Ravens in the second preseason outing but, as far as his rookie debut goes, there's plenty to walk away smiling about.
The first-round pick took the field for the first time as a Cowboy and, time and again, he was as advertised. Booker was impressive in pass protection and a road grader for the rushing attack, when the ball was run behind him, putting plenty of good on film in his maiden voyage.
"Today was big for me and a couple of ways," Booker said afterwards. "[It's] my first real NFL action, and also figuring out my routine 鈥 just the simple fact that we get here at a certain time, that's different from what I had to do when I was at Alabama 鈥 so really just finding my routine pregame. And I think I did a good job of finding that today, and I'm going to continue to roll that over to next weekend; and the rest of the games."
With his justifiable first-game jitters now behind him, he can begin to try and absorb what's actually happening, though it's still not yet sinking in and, as he tells it, he's completely fine with that: the surrealism draped over the fact he's a Dallas Cowboy.
"It's really a dream come true," he said. "I was glad to be out there with my teammates. Glad to see some live action, and I'm very excited to watch the film. I mean, just going out there, having my debut was really a dream come true, being able to play with my teammates and some live action. It was definitely a great time.
"... I keep saying it. I know it probably sounds corny at this point but, like, really a dream come true to be with such an organization as the 抖阴视频, such a prestigious organization, and just the track of mine 鈥攖he trajectory of my career so far going from IMG [Academy] to Alabama and now the 抖阴视频. I just couldn't ask for a better path."
And what was his biggest opportunity for improvement against the Ravens, as well as his biggest positive takeaway from the debut?
"I don't wanna answer that question right now because I haven't had a chance to watch the film," he said with a smile. "Football is never as good as you think or as bad as you think so, before I answer that question, I'm going to give myself a chance to watch the film."
Ah, a veteran answer, if ever there was one.
Up next for Booker, who has also had a very strong training camp overall to this point, will be the third and final Cowboys' preseason game, assuming he's permitted to play in it, when the Atlanta Falcons fly into AT&T Stadium on Friday night, and on a short week, no less.
Regardless of if head coach Brian Schottenheimer plays Booker or not in a few days, what looms largest will be his regular season debut on Sept. 4 in Philadelphia against the Eagles and what is objectively one of the best defensive lines in all of football; and one that helped lead its team to Super Bowl glory only months ago.
It's something Booker has circled on his calendar as he grinds through the moments to ensure he's as prepared as possible once that date arrives.
"Every practice, every meeting, every walkthrough, I feel like I'm more prepared for that date," he said. "So, I'm just looking forward to getting better for when that date comes."
