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Cowboys' Smith signs, now must learn on the job
Offensive tackle a bit wide-eyed facing Ware on first day of camp.
By Jeff McDonald
jmcdonald@express-news.net
If Tyron Smith had any choice in the matter, any choice at all, this is not how he would have wanted his first day on the job in the NFL to go.
There would have been minicamps, supervised offseason workouts, maybe some honest-to-goodness coaching — all of which would have gradually led the Dallas Cowboys' prized rookie offensive tackle to this moment.
Instead, Smith signed his first contract Thursday morning, then lined up against a five-time Pro Bowler in the afternoon. It went about as well as could have been expected.
“I ain't going to lie,” Smith said. “It kicked my butt.”
DeMarcus Ware will do that to the savviest NFL veteran, much less a wide-eyed rookie fresh off the bus.
His normal first-year learning curve incinerated in the NFL lockout, which canceled the offseason practices that normally would have served as his indoctrination, Smith was determined to hit the Alamodome turf running.
With Marc Colombo officially released as part of a salary-cap purge, the 20-year-old Smith — all 6-foot-4 and 310-pounds of him — has been locked in as the Cowboys' Plan A at starting right tackle.
There is no Plan B.
The clock is already ticking, which is why it was important for Smith to autograph his four-year, $12.5 million deal in time to make the first day of camp.
“There are a lot of expectations for Tyron,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “Without having our minicamps and OTAs and things of that nature, we've missed a lot with these young guys. They need as much as they can get.”
Smith's arrival was part of a flurry of moves Thursday, including the re-signing of left guard Kyle Kosier to a three-year deal.
The Cowboys also signed draft picks David Arkin (guard), Shaun Chapas (fullback), Dwayne Harris (receiver) and Josh Thomas (cornerback). Only two members of the team's 2011 class, running back Demarco Murray and linebacker Bruce Carter, remain unsigned.
After Smith was drafted in April, the ninth overall pick out of Southern California, he all but predicted a career headed for the Hall of Fame. One afternoon against Ware, apparently, was enough to temper those expectations.
“I'm not expecting anything,” Smith said. “I'll do whatever I can to help the team out.”
Beginning Thursday, Smith had 45 days until the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the New York Jets to become an NFL lineman.
“I feel bad for him, but then again, we're here,” guard Montrae Holland said. “We don't have time to cry about it.”
Ware seemed to take special delight in welcoming Smith to the fold during 11-on-11 drills. On one play, Ware was in the backfield seemingly before Smith had left his stance.
“Anybody that goes against me, in general, is going to be a big part of the team,” Ware said. “I'll do whatever I can to help him.”
If it meant Ware whipping him into shape, Smith was happy to have his first day on the job spoiled.
“It's only going to make me better every day,” Smith said. “I want to work with him for as long as possible.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...st-learn-on-the-job-1629582.php#ixzz1TV1ivNjI
Offensive tackle a bit wide-eyed facing Ware on first day of camp.
By Jeff McDonald
jmcdonald@express-news.net
If Tyron Smith had any choice in the matter, any choice at all, this is not how he would have wanted his first day on the job in the NFL to go.
There would have been minicamps, supervised offseason workouts, maybe some honest-to-goodness coaching — all of which would have gradually led the Dallas Cowboys' prized rookie offensive tackle to this moment.
Instead, Smith signed his first contract Thursday morning, then lined up against a five-time Pro Bowler in the afternoon. It went about as well as could have been expected.
“I ain't going to lie,” Smith said. “It kicked my butt.”
DeMarcus Ware will do that to the savviest NFL veteran, much less a wide-eyed rookie fresh off the bus.
His normal first-year learning curve incinerated in the NFL lockout, which canceled the offseason practices that normally would have served as his indoctrination, Smith was determined to hit the Alamodome turf running.
With Marc Colombo officially released as part of a salary-cap purge, the 20-year-old Smith — all 6-foot-4 and 310-pounds of him — has been locked in as the Cowboys' Plan A at starting right tackle.
There is no Plan B.
The clock is already ticking, which is why it was important for Smith to autograph his four-year, $12.5 million deal in time to make the first day of camp.
“There are a lot of expectations for Tyron,” executive vice president Stephen Jones said. “Without having our minicamps and OTAs and things of that nature, we've missed a lot with these young guys. They need as much as they can get.”
Smith's arrival was part of a flurry of moves Thursday, including the re-signing of left guard Kyle Kosier to a three-year deal.
The Cowboys also signed draft picks David Arkin (guard), Shaun Chapas (fullback), Dwayne Harris (receiver) and Josh Thomas (cornerback). Only two members of the team's 2011 class, running back Demarco Murray and linebacker Bruce Carter, remain unsigned.
After Smith was drafted in April, the ninth overall pick out of Southern California, he all but predicted a career headed for the Hall of Fame. One afternoon against Ware, apparently, was enough to temper those expectations.
“I'm not expecting anything,” Smith said. “I'll do whatever I can to help the team out.”
Beginning Thursday, Smith had 45 days until the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the New York Jets to become an NFL lineman.
“I feel bad for him, but then again, we're here,” guard Montrae Holland said. “We don't have time to cry about it.”
Ware seemed to take special delight in welcoming Smith to the fold during 11-on-11 drills. On one play, Ware was in the backfield seemingly before Smith had left his stance.
“Anybody that goes against me, in general, is going to be a big part of the team,” Ware said. “I'll do whatever I can to help him.”
If it meant Ware whipping him into shape, Smith was happy to have his first day on the job spoiled.
“It's only going to make me better every day,” Smith said. “I want to work with him for as long as possible.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/...st-learn-on-the-job-1629582.php#ixzz1TV1ivNjI