So far so great in Kaiir Elam's fresh start.
A 2022 NFL Draft first-round selection of the Buffalo Bills who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, Elam has welcomed the change and embraced Matt Eberflus' defense.
It came through Saturday at training camp in Oxnard, California, with a sensational highlight and subsequent celebration.
Elam picked off franchise quarterback Dak Prescott and swiftly took to the sideline where he hoisted a young Cowboys fan into the air, celebrating amid teammates in a Lion King-esque moment.
Though this might not have been a circle of life situation, Elam's aiming to turn his career around and would appear to be off on the right foot.
Having fallen short of expectations that follow being the 23rd-overall pick of a draft, Elam started just 12 games over three seasons with Buffalo. His confidence hasn't waned, though.
"Just trying to keep the same motto, I just want to be a consistent dawg," Elam said earlier this week, via the team website. "Every day, coming to work and be a guy that my teammates and my coaches can rely on to do his job and make plays. That's it."
One aspect of Eberflus' defense and change of scenery that Elam has been enamored with is an emphasis on takeaways.
"I really feel like it starts from the top down, coach Eberflus has done a good job of emphasizing us being relentless when it comes to our effort and also being relentless and violent when it comes to our finishes." Elam said.
"Every play's not going to be perfect, but with our effort, with our strength, and with our style of play, we're going to try to get the ball back to the offense."
After recording two interceptions as a rookie, Elam hasn't forced a fumble or picked off a pass since. Based on Saturday's showing, however, it certainly looks like he's focused on ending that drought.
Beautifully covering wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, Elam ran under a deep ball by Prescott for the pick. Without hesitation, Elam ventured to the sidelines, presented a youngster wearing a CeeDee Lamb jersey with the ball and then raised him over the fence and high into a Cowboys celebration.
Perhaps by this time next year, there will be more kids at Cowboys camp wearing Elam jerseys if this is indeed a foreshadowing of Dallas turnovers and Elam success to come.
