T.Y. Hilton slays in Cowboys debut with clutch 3rd-and-30 grab: ‘That’s what I do’
T.Y. still has a fast pace of life Hilton.
The Cowboys’ coaching staff only took half an hour to realize that the 33-year old could be a big boost for their wide receiver position heading into the playoffs.
Hilton was wearing the star in his first Cowboys Nation game on Dec. 24.
Hilton’s first catch for the club (and his only reception in his Dallas debut) has all the makings of a play that will live on in the annals of franchise history, moving the sticks and extending a key fourth-quarter drive in improbable fashion, helping set up a game-tying touchdown against a hated rival, and sparking his new team to a win that leaves a division crown- and even the NFC’s top seed- still mathematically possible.
But even if that doesn’t happen, the four-time Pro Bowler made a ridiculous first impression on Cowboys fans with a moment that will forever be known as “3rd-and-30.”
“They called my personnel,” Hilton told reporters at his locker Saturday night, following the Cowboys’ victory by 40-34. “I was running, [Eagles cornerback Darius] Slay was kind of, I guess, eyes-in-the-backfield, and I was like, ‘Man, if Dak [could] give me it…’ And then the ball just took off. And I was like, ‘Well, here we go.’
Prescott’s heave traveled 62.1 yards in the air. Next Gen Stats estimated that the completion probability was 22.5%. Since 2000, the success rate for third-and-30 plays has been 2%.
T.Y. Hilton knows the odds.
“I just hit the gas and ran past him,” he explained. “I can still play. If you think I can’t play, then that’s on you.”
The team’s WR1 agrees.
“That’s T.Y. He is a very exciting player. This has been his entire career. He is a serious threat. Don’t let the size fool you; the speed will sneak up on you,” CeeDee Lamb confirmed.
Lamb also senses that Hilton’s presence just opened up new opportunities for him, too.
“You keep trying to double me, I have playmakers on the outside.”
The football world may have given up on Florida International’s former third-round draft pick after ten years of being a fixture in Indianapolis.
Prescott knew exactly what the new weapon in his arsenal could accomplish, even though he only had a few practice sessions.
“That’s a guy that has made a lot of big-time catches in his career,” the quarterback said In his post-game press conference.
“I knew to put some air under it, and I knew he would go make a play. He made sure to catch the ball, either that or an incomplete. Third-and-30, find T.Y.”
Hopefully, that situation doesn’t come up too often. The Cowboys were able to quickly see what Hilton could bring to the table with a clutch 52-yard reception.
“Obviously, T.Y. is extremely talented, extremely proven, has played at a Pro Bowl level multiple years, so obviously these types of situations are unique: for him to be available and for our organization themselves to get a deal done,” Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy shared. “You couldn’t find anything but extremely high praise for him as the far as the phone calls that were made. He’s been everything plus. He’s come in here and just grinded on our coaches and learned the language. The biggest thing is, he’s a very polished route runner. He’s done it at a high level, I like the way he’s integrated himself into the group. He’s a great fit for us.”
Whether he’s pulling coverage away from Lamb, drawing the occasional penalty with his veteran craftiness, or providing experienced leadership to a young wide receiving corps on the sideline and practice field, Hilton has already proven to be everything the team said they wanted during their pursuit of free agent Odell Beckham, Jr.
Hilton made a difference and changed the calendar to December.
“That’s what I do, man. I make plays. That’s what I’m here for. I’ll continue to make plays, continue to guide those guys and help them as much as I can. And when I get out there, just show them that I’m still here,” he said.
T.Y. Hilton demonstrated Saturday night that he is still able to go from Here To There are Really, really fast.
And he might just be the missing ingredient that takes the Cowboys over the early-postseason speed bump that’s stymied them for a quarter-century.
“If I’m able to do that, then the sky’s the limit for us.”
Liste
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