If an offensive line has a weak link somewhere, there are things a team can do about it. Teams can devote extra players to assist that weak link from time to time. They can use RBs and TEs to chip block before they go out in their routes. They can even roll the pocket away from the weak link. Hope is not lost.
If a team has two weak links? Now that’s when it gets tricky.
Such was the case in Week 16 against Miami. With Tyron Smith out, the Cowboys turned to Chuma Edoga in relief. No longer could they devote all their extra resources to RT to help out Terence Steele. They had an even bigger weakness in Edoga.
As a result, the two tackles gave up a combined nine pressures. Dak Prescott played with his head on swivel and often had to flee the pocket before downfield routes had fully matured. It was a tough day made harder because of the two tackles and there weren’t enough extra resources to fix it.
When Week 17 the final injury report was released, Smith’s name came up as a limited participant in practice and carried a questionable status for the Week 17 game. While this is technically just a 50/50 proposition, Mike McCarthy indicated optimism.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said LTs Tyron Smith (back) and Chuma Edoga (toe) both participated in today’s walkthrough. Team to see how they respond to a light practice load Friday before Saturday’s game vs. Lions. “We feel good about it.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 28, 2023
This is especially important this week with the Lions coming to town. Detroit has one of the best young EDGE players in the NFL in Aiden Hutchinson and since he primarily lines up on the left side of the defense, he’s slated to face Steele most of the afternoon. If the Cowboys are splitting resources between Steele and Edoga, Hutchinson is going to win a lot of downs. But if Smith makes it back into the lineup, Steele can all of the extra resources rolled his way.
Smith has been one of the most unassisted LTs in the game this season. While his age may have impacted his durability, it hasn’t impacted his ability to play on an island. This special trait is important when the tackle opposite him happens to be third in pressures given up this season. Not third on the team. Third of all linemen in the entire NFL.
The Cowboys are a different team with Smith in the lineup. He impacts both phases of the game in multiple ways. If he can make it back on the field this Saturday, it’ll be good news to the Cowboys and good news to Steele.
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