8 biggest surprises and disappointments for Cowboys so far in 2022
By Randy Gurzi
When the Dallas Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 and also lost Dak Prescott to a thumb injury, there was a sense of doom felt around the fan base. Three weeks later, optimism is prevalent as the Cowboys have reeled off three wins in a row.
Two of their wins were against divisional rivals and they also took out the Cincinnati Bengals who were the AFC representatives in the Super Bowl just a season ago. Now with four games behind us, it’s a good time to point out four of the biggest surprises and disappointments for Dallas thus far in 2022.
8 biggest surprises and disappointments for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022
Surprise: Tyler Smith, OT
When Tyron Smith was lost to a torn hamstring, the Cowboys seemed to be in a lot of trouble. After the reserves failed to impress the coaching staff, rookie Tyler Smith was asked to take the place of the veteran.
The younger Smith did play left tackle at Tulsa but Dallas spent the entire offseason working him at guard. Then, without reps at the position, he was asked to kick out wide and protect the blindside.
Look at rookie Tyler Smith (73) get out in space… make two blocks… and then the final push at the end… Dude is playing really well… pic.twitter.com/p9rCN8jn5X
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) September 27, 2022
It hasn’t been perfect, as he’s been flagged a few times, but overall, he’s been very impressive. He’s held his own against power rushers as well as speed and even gets out in the run game and can clear the way for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Not a bad start at all for the rookie and it seems this front office hit on another lineman in Round 1.
Disappointment: Josh Ball, OT
Ideally, Dallas wanted Smith to stay at left guard this year since that’s where he was working during camp and the preseason. But it became clear rather quickly that Josh Ball wasn’t up to the task.
A fourth-round pick with a checkered past, the Cowboys gambled on Ball last season but never got to see him take a snap. An injury cost him his rookie campaign and when they did finally get him on the field during the preseason, they realized it was better to see what Smith could do — and to go sign 40-year-old Jason Peters. This doesn’t mean they need to give up on Ball, but it was a disappointment they couldn’t rely on him just yet.