Where does Tyler Smith play?
Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones Key to the story around Orlando this week is third-year offensive lineman Tyler Smith and left tackle Tyron Smith, who departed this offseason. The question was what position he would play in 2024 and beyond.
In response to Jerry Jones saying he would not waive Smith, who plays left tackle, and Stephen Jones saying a final decision would not be made until after the draft, McCarthy stated that Smith is currently the left guard. Ta.
“Tyler Smith will take another step forward,” McCarthy said. “Right now we're going to keep him on guard and see how it develops. If you look at the composition of the offensive line last year, I think we took a big step because we had young players able to play in the reserves.”
The offensive line has been in the spotlight this offseason with the departures of Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz, but Coach McCarthy is confident in the young players on the team.
“The process of upgrading and strengthening the depth of our offensive line actually happened last year,” he said. “We've added some really good young guys, so we're feeling good about it…which means we can bring in some blocks.” [Hoffman] are in the same category. He's been here before. There's never been anyone closer to Tyler Biadasch than him, so it's a natural step for him to step into that and I think he'll continue to grow, but we're excited to have his talent and depth in that room. I want to keep adding to it. ”
Defensive tackle Maji Smith's rookie season didn't go as planned, but McCarthy and staff are still confident he will take the necessary steps to perform even better in his second year.
“I'm looking for Maji to take that step, but I make no bones about it,” he said. “Now, if you look at the dynamics of the room, obviously we're going to add to that room, but there's going to be a lot more opportunities in front of him.”
Coach McCarthy said Smith underwent shoulder surgery earlier this offseason and will be rehabbing and will be off the field until training camp.
“He's going through a rehabilitation phase right now,” he said. “I'm just looking for him. He's definitely one of those guys that needs to take a big leap in his second year and I think he'll do that…Now he has a better plan. I think they have it and we need to help them with that plan to stay at a healthy weight. ”
Linebacker Eric Kendricks, the Cowboys' only outside free agent, is someone Mike McCarthy knows well from his time coaching opponents in the NFC North. McCarthy said his presence on Dallas' defense will be huge for the team this year under coach Mike Zimmer.
“I say this because I had the opportunity to meet Eric,” he said. “I competed with him a lot when I was in Minnesota, and that just speaks to the trust he has in Mike Zimmer. In his words, from a defensive standpoint, Mike Zimmer Jimmer is the best coach he's ever played with.'' – Game Adjustment. He's excited to be back in the system and excited about his opportunity in Dallas.”
Maji Smith is not the only young player expected to make a big leap in 2024. Now that the free agency dust has settled, the Cowboys are looking for ways to replace a handful of starters on both sides of the ball with the young players they are currently recruiting. .
McCarthy has a lot of confidence in his young players, some of whom could have played more snaps last season, and will be able to step in and maintain the same level of competition.
“As players grow and their value increases, how we put them together changes,” he says. It's a completely different competition that goes on every year. The biggest improvement as a football team has been the growth of our young players. ”
“If the roster is built correctly, the growth of a young player who plays 15 plays a game might increase to 45 to 50. Eventually, you probably want to get a player who plays 70 to 75.” I'll be on the starting line. We've never taken the approach of having 11 starters on any side of the ball. Some of our sophomore, junior and senior players. You can really get them and put them in that category. ”
“Second-year jump” is a phrase Coach McCarthy often uses when talking about the development of young players, but it's not just specific to players on the field. Now in his second year as the offensive play-caller, he sees an opportunity to take the next step with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as he and Mike Zimmer help build a new defense.
“We’re going to be even better as an offensive line this year,” he said. “We need to take a second year leap as a coaching staff, as an offensive line. I think Brian is doing a great job of leading the way there. Even when I'm taking a shower, I'm driving to work. I'm always on the fence about how you should approach it because a lot of these decisions are really just your approach and the mindset is developed in the offseason. thinking about.”
After losing Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, it's clear the Cowboys have work to do to fill out their running back room before the season begins. McCarthy said Rico Doodle's return was great, but they will need to add some new physicality in the form of a veteran or rookie.
“We're by no means running out of room, whether it's veterans or draft picks,” he said. “We've got some young guys that are going to be in the jump that we're talking about. Look at Hunter.” [Luepke]deuce [Vaughn] And even Malik [Davis], I expect all three to take a big leap forward and compete for playing time. ”
