Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker has been making the kind of progress that his coaches have been craving over the last three weeks.
After a poor rookie season, Schoonmaker didn't start Year 2 in good fashion, either, going four straight games with zero catches and only one target. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer detailed the need for Schoonmaker to become more consistent day-to-day, and some were fearing for his future.
Well, since Jake Ferguson has been out of the team due to a concussion suffered against the Houston Texans, Schoonmaker has flourished with his increased snap count on offense.
Head coach Mike McCarthy wanted to emphasize Schoonmaker's progress over the last three weeks.
“I just really want to compliment Luke for all the extra time that he's put in,” McCarthy said. “He's made some mistakes early, but there's not a day where he's not in there early, 7 o'clock with his position coaches and there's not a day where he's not staying afterwards. It's refreshing when you see these guys put in the extra time, and then they're rewarded on game day with his production. I'm very proud of his approach, he's been very consistent but he's really prepared for this opportunity and he has stepped up here the last two weeks.”
So while critics were already rolling out the "draft bust'' takes, Schoonmaker knew he needed to correct some things and narrow the focus, and the fruits of his labor and the fixing of mistakes results are there for all to see.
In his three games, he's had 56, 55 and 33 receiving yards as he has developed a nice wavelength with Cooper Rush. Cowboy Nation wanted to see this kind of form from the former second-round pick in his rookie season, but better late than never, right?
But sometimes it takes players a little while for it to "click," and now Schoonmaker isn't just making up the numbers on offense; he's thriving in it and becoming a legitimate outlet for his quarterback.
Now, we aren't crowning him just yet, it's only three games,
But progress is being made, and Schoonmaker is now having "fun" with his football, so we are seeing the benefits of that on the field.
Maybe that second-round pick wasn't a waste after all.
