Cowboys' Tyler Smith - Slimmed Down? - Reveals 'Welcome to NFL' Moment
Nothing about Tyler Smith's NFL career has gone according to plan thus far ... in the best way possible.
Originally viewed as a first-round project on the offensive line, Smith instead atoned for injuries to the Dallas Cowboys' lauded regulars, starting all 17 games in his debut season and earning some of the most positive reviews among the class of 2022's first outputs.
Speaking with Gabriel Trevino of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Smith even mentioned that his proverbial "Welcome to the NFL" moment was out of the ordinary in the sweetest of ways: often a self-deprecating tale that informs that touted collegiate prospect that he's not in school anymore, Smith's again bucks the traditional freshman fold.
Smith's story involved both teammates and that name-brand talent in the form of long-tenured NFL blocking stars Jason Peters and Tyron Smith, but its relatively innocent nature rebooted the trend in his eyes.
"I remember Jason told me something, and it was so profound for me,” Smith said. “He said, ‘Man, all you need to know is when it comes to pass pro or run game, get out of your stance and get to your spot.’ It took me a while to think about it. Tyron would tell me the same thing, ‘Get to your spot, get to your spot.’ I had no idea what that meant. Did they want me to kick to a certain point? But when I finally understood it, it just meant get out your stance and to where you can really do battle."
Smith said such conversations brought him to a new level and allowed him to press forward in a fateful debut.
"That’s when a lot of things got easier for me," Smith said. "My mantra on game days as soon as I woke up was: Get out my stance, get in my spot, stay low, and get my hands up. That kept me grounded.”
If that's the legacy that Peters, a one-year Cowboy best known for his Pro Bowl work with the rival Philadelphia Eagles, can leave behind, Dallas can certainly live with it. Smith - whether he plays left tackle or left guard - is now part of the next generation of touted Cowboys blockers, prepared to pave the way for a rushing attack fully entrusted to Tony Pollard.
The 6-5 Smith, who at his kids camp in Fort Worth seemed slimmed down from his listed weight of 333 - is well-versed in the perfect ending.
"Winning that Super Bowl,” Smith said when asked about his ultimate goal. “Obviously I want to go out there and play to the best of my abilities, I want to improve upon last season and I want to be a benefit to the team regardless of where they put me, but winning that Super Bowl is the biggest thing. We came close last year and we lost, and that pain sticks with you. I know we have the team to go out there and win it all.”
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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