FRISCO, Texas (KTRK) — Tyron Smith will race to the sideline for the Dallas Cowboys when they take the field at Highmark Stadium on Sunday to face the Buffalo Bills.
“It’s been a thing for a few years,” the 13-year left tackle explained. “It began with me and [Doug Free] leading the team. Doug was the older member of the team who led the team out, and [I] kind of just took over for him when he went, being the first guy out.”
Smith, who turned 33 on Tuesday, still resembles the 20-year-old Cowboys drafted first overall out of USC in 2011. Age and 158 career games are the only exceptions: On his right arm, he wears a knee brace. Yes, he needs a knee brace since his arms are too huge for an elbow brace. His fingers appear to be more twisted and gnarled. However, almost everything else is the same.
There is one more exception.
With Smith, the Cowboys have chosen a less-is-more strategy. Smith has not completely practiced since hurting his neck in a Thursday session, which forced him to miss the Oct. 29 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
He has NIR-rest next to him almost every week.
Smith, who turned 33 on Tuesday, still resembles the Cowboys’ first-round pick out of USC in 2011. The main exceptions are age and 158 career games: He has a knee brace on his right arm. Yes, he does require a knee brace because his arms are too large for an elbow brace. His fingers look more twisted and wrinkled. Almost everything else, however, is the same.
There is still one exception.
The Cowboys have chosen a less-is-more approach with Smith. Smith has not fully practiced since injuring his neck during a Thursday practice, forcing him to miss the Oct. 29 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Almost every week, he has NIR-rest next to him.Smith’s pass block victory rate (87.2%) in 10 games this season is higher than his season average (86.8%) since ESPN Analytics began tracking the stat in 2017. The same can be said for his run block victory rate (78.4% vs. 76.9%). TruMedia has given Smith six sacks this season, but according on the film, only two of those sacks were his fault, and one occurred on a scramble play.
“I wouldn’t bet against Tyron ever,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “I think the cool thing is that I think we’ve all found a routine that we like.” Obviously, the player knows his body better than anyone, but having a man like that — that elite as an offensive tackle in this league, especially on the quarterback’s blind side — is a genuine luxury. What I admire most about him is his wiring.”
Smith found his form by not practicing. McCarthy praises the Cowboys’ “bartenders,” the support workers who spend more time with the players than the coaches. In this case, it’s Britt Brown, director of rehabilitation, and Harold Nash, strength and conditioning coordinator.”No one knows Tyron better than Britt and the strength staff,” he remarked. “When you talk about veteran players who have been doing it for a long time, you have to consider all of that.” I believe that when you reach a certain stage in your career, each man knows what they need to do to prepare for a game, and it really defines what that is. I believe we’ve done a much better job of painting a clearer image of what that is. It’s worked out great.”Smith isn’t working because he isn’t practicing. Throughout the week, he participates in all walkthroughs and mock games. When the rest of the team is on the field, Smith is inside Ford Center going through a series of offensive line drills that, according to Nash, keep his GPS numbers almost as high as if he were practicing.
“Tyron is the last person in the world who is trying to avoid work,” Nash went on to say. “No, that is not what we are doing. We’re limiting trauma exposure.”
Smith stated, “I’m still getting a lot of work done that I need to get ready for the week; I’m not taking any time off.” “I’m just getting all the work I’d get on the field but without the contact.”
Dak Prescott, the quarterback, is overjoyed to have Smith.”One of the best tackles to play this game,” Prescott added. “When he’s out there, nobody beats him. When he gets his hands on you, it’s done. You don’t have to worry about that side of the ball while he’s available. I’m grateful for him. Right now, the priority is to keep him healthy. It truly is. You’re aware that he’s reached that point in his career. He’s done it, and he deserves it.”
Left guard Tyler Smith and right tackle Terence Steele can only shake their heads at what he’s accomplished despite not having regular turns during the week.
“The same excellence that has most likely been discussed for the majority of his career.” “It still shines through,” Tyler Smith remarked. “I think that’s a testament to his work ethic, to the level of dedication he’s shown to his craft.” It is really something to behold.”
“Man, it’s impressive,” Steele said. Ty is his name. He’s still dominant at that age. It appears to be better than ever. I mean, I’m blown away. I’m just delighted to be in the room with the guys and learn from him. It’s been fascinating to see.”
Tyler Smith and Steele couldn’t conceive asking McCarthy to join the Tyron Smith plan.
, the All-Pro right guard who turned 33 this year, has been put on a similar plan in the last two weeks. However, Tyler Smith is just in his second year, whereas Steele is in his fourth.”I don’t think everyone will get that special treatment,” Tyler Smith remarked. “But I mean definitely just for him, for the vet guys who have really been through this, who really understand it, it’s just taking blows off them as we get deeper into the season so that when we do get to those big games, they’re fresh and they’re ready for that.
Tyron Smith is in good shape. And he’ll be the first player out of the Cowboys’ locker room on Sunday.
“Kind of a nice little warmup,” remarked Tyron Smith. “Just want to hit the field running.”
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