FRISCO, Texas — Business is slowly picking up for the Dallas Cowboys as minicamp approaches its conclusion, or rather quickly picking up for George Pickens, considering the swiftness in which he's already shown effectiveness in learning and executing the playbook being installed by head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Pickens, acquired not long ago via blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, continually mentions the speed component of the Cowboys' offense under Schottenheimer, and how he sees it as helping to unlock the next level of his NFL game.
"A different scheme could allow me to do more," he said. "It's a good thing. … College is probably the most recent time I've played with a lot of guys with speed — a lot of guys this fast. … Team speed applies to the scheme, too. So if you got a lot of fast guys, you're definitely gonna have a different scheme."
This is further evidence of the "multiples" mode of attack Schottenheimer continually references when describing the offensive plan going forward but, of course, there's more to the recipe than that — Dallas looking to turn up the heat in a category they've routinely been, at times, allergic to.
"A lot of motions," Pickens said of the playbook. "A lot of things that you get an indicator on what the defense is doing before you say hike. Some coaches don't do that."
Having built a near-instant chemistry with both quarterback Dak Prescott and All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb as well, it's a three-headed hydra that, theoretically, should lift the Cowboys' offense in a way not seen since Lamb took the field in Dallas with Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper; and Prescott combined with the duo to lead the offense to being No. 1 in the NFL.
"You can't cover everybody," said tight end Jake Ferguson of the addition of Pickens. "Having him, No. 88 and Jalen [Tolbert], and some of the young guys like myself, Brevyn [Spann-Ford] and [Luke] Schoonmaker, you physically can not cover everybody. I think it's going to be really hard for defenses against our pass game, but then we'll run the ball, too."
Expect to see the usual utilization of Lamb, which is to say he'll operate in every receiver role at varying points, and Pickens couldn't be more excited to play opposite that level of record-setting talent.
"A lot of guys can't do that," said Pickens of Lamb's versatility. " A lot of No. 1 guys just kind of play where the coaches have them playing, but [Lamb] plays everything."
Be not misled, however, because Pickens openly admits he'll be used in the exact same way.
"[I'll do that] a lot — that's what I'm saying," he explained. "And more of like getting integrated with and playing everything and knowing everything, kind of like C[eeDee] does. It's gonna be better. … I've played with a lot of other receivers, but he plays a little more of everything, and that affects a lot of stuff in a good way."
From Lamb dancing in practice to celebrate a big play made by Pickens to the latter smiling with the former before plays are called, there's no denying the rapid bond formed atop the Cowboys' offensive depth chart.
Up next: training camp, where the fur will finally begin flying.
