LONDON -- Undrafted free agent cornerback Tyler Patmon wasn't supposed to make the 2014 Dallas Cowboys practice squad, let alone the active roster. The Oklahoma State product was brought into May's rookie mini-camp as a tryout player; he wasn't even signed to the club.
"Here's a guy who really came in off the street," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "Came in, made a great impression on us."
Patmon took advantage of the absence of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne in training camp and turned it into a terrific preseason, highlighted by a two-interception performance against the Miami Dolphins in the third preseason game.
"Whenever you have a guy who takes advantage of opportunities like that," said head coach Jason Garrett, "we believe it's a meritocracy that it really doesn't matter where you come from, where you were drafted, it matters what you do when you get here. And he's certainly been an example of that."
Unquestionably the best highlight of Patmon's young career was the 58-yard interception for a touchdown last week against the Arizona Cardinals. Patmon picked off veteran quarterback Carson Palmer, who had only been intercepted once the entire year, and returned the takeaway to give Dallas a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
"I'm loving what Patmon's been doing thus far in the season," said veteran cornerback Brandon Carr, whose missed time in training camp due to his mother's passing opened up some reps for Patmon.
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"[He is] a young talent with a lot of upside and a lot of potential. He's not afraid of any situation that comes his way."
"He's got really good ball skills and instincts," Marinelli said. "We've seen them. He's got some opportunities. He made a heck of a play last week. He'll get some more chances."
Said Garrett: "He's one of those guys who's really good for your team."
Patmon is one of 13 undrafted free agents on the active roster Dallas has cultivated since 2003. He is the only member of the Cowboys 2014 rookie class to record a takeaway or score a touchdown through nine games.
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