It's pretty clear that the Dallas Cowboys have a serious weapon in three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Smith, but it looks like there's still a conversation about what his position will look like in the future.
The conversation about Smith at left tackle started late last season, and he seemed set in stone at the position he's in, as he should. He's a star guard, not a star tackle.
When speaking to the media, Smith was asked about the coaching staff not completely closing the door on Smith playing left tackle. We should all be rooting for him to continue to play left guard, simply because that's where he's at his best. But Smith's vague answer says exactly how he feels.
"I have an understanding of what it is. That's the most I could ask for is just to have that understanding early on. Obviously, I got the utmost faith that we're going to go out there, we're going to do with what we're going to do. Ultimately, I'll be in the position that I need to be in, so I'm good with where we're at."
Tyler Smith's coach-speak quote says what he really thinks about playing left tackle
Smith assuring confidence that Tyler Guyton will be efficient at left tackle is exactly what Cowboys fans wanted to hear, but it feels more like a forced statement by Smith, as if he wants this conversation to be over completely.
Smith's basically saying: 'Let's all do our job so I don't have to pay the price.'
Honestly, he has every right to feel that way. He's at his best when playing left guard. Fortunately, it looks like a lot would have to happen for him to make the jump to protect Dak Prescott's blind spot.
The Cowboys still have Nate Thomas, who stepped up in games when he needed to last season. They also have their rookie fourth-rounder, Drew Shelton, out of Penn State. Another move proposed by Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News is inserting T.J. Bass in the lineup. Again, still a mile away from happening, but that's if they need some serious help at LT.
"If the Cowboys can't find a consistent option at left tackle, then they might be forced to put Smith there, opening up a spot for T.J. Bass at left guard."
Cowboys fans have grown to love T.J. Bass, going from an UDFA to a valuable rotational piece on the offensive line. Unfortunately for Smith, he would have the duty of playing left tackle if Bass took the field.
Tyler Guyton is still trying to get used to the NFL competition, as his PFF grade reflects why we're even having this conversation in the first place. He ended up with a 50.0 in pass blocking, which ranked 81st of 89 tackles.
Clearly, Smith is the guy they need to play left guard, and hopefully, he meant what he said when he said he feels good about where everybody is at. If he is forced to play the blind side, we're going to see a much different team.
Dak Prescott needs to be protected at this point in his career, and if Brian Schottenheimer is forced to make a move and shift Smith to LT, we all need to cross our fingers.
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