Cowboys’ Escobar grabs attention with two touchdown catches

At some point, the Dallas Cowboys are going to move on from Jason Witten. And although this isn’t that point, Gavin Escobar is showing why the Cowboys believe he could be the next man up.

Escobar caught a career-best two touchdown passes in the Cowboys’ 31-21 victory Sunday over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. The second-year backup tight end came into the NFC East clash with only three scores on his pro résumé.

How long was Escobar waiting for a game like this?

“Ever since I got to the NFL,” he said. “It’s a great feeling, and it’s just a great team win overall.”

Escobar was picked in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft as a potential heir apparent to Witten. The Cowboys were sold on Escobar’s combination of size (6-foot-6, 260 pounds), athleticism and production at San Diego State.

“When we drafted him, we felt really good about his ability to run routes and catch the football,” coach Jason Garrett said. “That’s never been an issue with him.”

Escobar finished with three catches for 65 yards.

“I just couldn’t believe all those collisions that he had and all the things he was doing physically out there,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “And he has those soft, powder-puff hands. The ball just disappears in them.

“Seriously, I think that’s the best hands we’ve got and probably some of the best hands I’ve ever seen.”

With future Hall of Famer Witten still a featured part of the offense, touches for Escobar were going to be limited.

Being around Witten does have its perks.

“He teaches me everything,” Escobar said. “You just have to take advantage of your opportunities when they throw you the ball.”

Escobar’s skills were on full display when the Cowboys broke a 14-14 tie on his grab midway through the third quarter. Escobar stretched out to haul in the 26-yard strike with his fingertips.

The Cowboys took an early 7-0 lead by converting three third downs on their second drive, including Tony Romo’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Escobar. Attacking the Giants in the seam was part of the plan, Escobar said.

“On that first touchdown, they really clamped down on Witt,” he said, “so it gave me an opportunity to get in the middle of the field and get open.”

Escobar also scored in last week’s win at Seattle. That’s three touchdowns in two weeks after two in the previous 21 games.

“It’s easier to wait when you’re winning,” Escobar said.

Tight ends coach Michael Pope, who was fired by Giants coach Tom Coughlin after last season, received a game ball.

“I know he was loving this,” Escobar said.

This story was originally published October 19, 2014 at 9:44 PM.