Starting Dallas Cowboys Center Travis Frederick wasn’t only in the news because of a shoulder injury yesterday. Providing the team with a bit of a scare, Frederick was evaluated in Los Angeles for stingers in that shoulder, but returned to Oxnard without further concern. The Cowboys are understandably being cautious with their offensive linemen in training camp – knowing how quickly injuries up front can derail a season, as it did in 2017.
Missing three full games last year (and exiting in the first quarter against the Seahawks in week 16), Left Tackle Tyron Smith has been one of the Cowboys most important players for years. This is why it’s so incredibly comforting to see Smith performing at a new level so far in camp.
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All of the changes the Cowboys made on offense for this season won’t matter if the protection for Quarterback Dak Prescott doesn’t hold up. Without Smith at left tackle, the Cowboys allowed 13 sacks in three games and failed to score more than nine points.
This haunting stat doesn’t even include the one game that will stick with the 2017 Cowboys, their playoff hopes dashed with a flat performance at home against Seattle. Smith played just three snaps, and the Cowboys failed to find the end zone even with Running Back Ezekiel Elliott back in the lineup.
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It’s arguable that Smith is excelling in year eight against the best field of pass rushers the Cowboys have fielded since 2011. Randy Gregory’s triumphant return, rookie Dorance Armstrong’s fast start, and veteran Tyrone Crawford’s continued experienced at right end have given Smith all he can handle at left tackle.
Smith is still rarely beaten in his pass sets, raising the level of expectation for the Cowboys defensive line to match the intensity of the offense with every compete period win. Thanks to Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard, the Cowboys defense is doing just that.
For his starting center to notice Smith’s progress is even more noteworthy given the player starting between them. Rookie Connor Williams is expected to slide in flawlessly between a LT and C with nine combined Pro Bowl appearances. Impressive against the 49ers in his preseason debut, Williams has always idolized Smith as a top tackle prospect out of Texas.
Perhaps the rookie has even inspired Smith a bit, to be an even bigger part of the Cowboys success in 2018. This team has been at its best when given the chance to sneak up on opponents, and with a cohesive offensive line plus 16 games of Ezekiel Elliott they’ll have a chance to do just that – given the attention their changes at wide receiver has garnered.
The Cowboys do not need any further reminders that back injuries tend to be a lingering problem with players.
Some pressure off the shoulders of Tyron Smith can only help though, with the Cowboys offense finding its rhythm in Oxnard while watching their offensive line continue to shine as bright as the sun in Oxnard. Fortunately, the team will be out of the California heat after this week, seeing a slew of players leave practice early due to injury on Wednesday.
The Cowboys return to AT&T Stadium on Saturday for another preseason game, and conclude the rest of the offseason at The Star.
