Rookie TE Escobar says he has a lot to learn

Gavin Escobar doesn't say much when he walks around the Dallas Cowboys' Valley Ranch locker room. For the most part, the second-round draft pick is the same way when he's on the field, or rushing to stuff bags with food items, something he did with other Cowboys rookies last Wednesday at North Texas Food Bank. Escobar has no problem admitting that he has a lot to learn. He said last Tuesday that he feels like a freshman again, trying to adapt to the increased game speed and new iPad playbook. "I'm trying to learn everything," Escobar said. "Whether it's a coach, a player, anyone, any tips they're telling me I'm just trying to take it all in and utilize that on the field." Being a tight end, an obvious source of knowledge at the position would be eight-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten. But Escobar is trying to balance soaking up knowledge while also trying not to become a pest in the first few weeks. "I ask him stuff here and there on the field but I'm not bugging him," Escobar said. "He's still working hard out there. He's still doing his thing, so I'm just learning from him." The Cowboys seem to be focusing on running more two-tight end sets, so Witten and Escobar will likely become very familiar with each other by the time the season starts. If Escobar can get a good grasp of the playbook, stay healthy and pick up a few tips about what Tony Romo likes from his tight ends, he should use his exceptional hands (122 catches in three seasons at San Diego State) and height (6-6) to make an immediate impact. "I'm expecting to be on the field," he said. "I'm competing to get on the field. That's what I'm hoping for." Follow Jon Machota on Twitter: @jonmachota