4 reasons why Tyron Smith’s Cowboys return will have major ripple effect

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line this season has done a great job of protecting both quarterbacks who have started this season. They’ve also done a nice job of opening holes for their running backs to break off big runs, as well as pick up tough yards in short-yardage situations.

Despite all of that, the only offensive or defensive line you’re hearing about out of the NFC East is the Philadelphia Eagles. Chatter reflects how they’ve loaded up through the draft, taking Jordan Davis, and recently in free agency by signing Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph.

All that is about to change once the Cowboys’ Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith returns from an injury that, at one point, looked like it could knock him out for the entire season.

Recently, though, Smith has returned to the team and has been working on the sidelines with the Cowboys’ director of rehabilitation Britt Brown, leaving open the possibility of him returning to the team after the Cowboys’ Week 13 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Right now, it remains a matter of how his body reacts to the workouts.

This is a huge reason to be excited if you a fan of America’s Team. Here’s why the eventual return of Smith will really matter.

4 reasons Cowboys fans should be excited about Tyron Smith’s return

4. Tyron Smith Protecting Prescott’s Blindside

You can’t say enough about how well rookie first-round pick Tyler Smith has done filling in for Tyron Smith as the latter recovers from his injury this season.

Tyler Smith looks to be the future for the Cowboys at left tackle, and that future looks very bright, but for now, this is Tyron Smith’s position.

Any time you have the ability to start a Pro Bowl left tackle to protect your quarterback’s blindside, you do it, and that is exactly what the Cowboys plan on doing once Tyron Smith is ready to take the field.

Having that type of player on the field will have a major ripple effect on this offense as a whole, especially when it comes to the quarterback’s comfort in the pocket.

With Tyron back on the field, the Cowboys can now shift Tyler over to left guard to help shore up that position that has still had issues at times with pressure this season. Having these two on the field at the same time will add more power to the left side of this offensive line.

3. On-Field Coaching and Mentorship

When you’re coming into the NFL — or any job, for that matter — it’s always best to have someone help ease you into the new role you’ll be taking on. That way, there should be fewer issues down the road.

That wasn’t the case for Tyler Smith, who is right now working off his natural abilities at left tackle. He’s done a great job, but you can see at times that he’s had issues in pass protection. Adding Tyron Smith to the offensive line and putting him next to Tyler Smith will give the rookie a chance to see how an All-Pro left tackle operates.

The wily veteran can teach him some new tricks of the trade that the rookie hasn’t seen yet, both in his words and his play on the field.

Tyron can explain the best ways to communicate with your left guard in order to be on the same page, taking on stunts and pass-offs, something Tyler at times has had issues with.

Getting that kind of on-the-job training will be invaluable for the future left tackle for the Cowboys.

2. More Efficient and Effective Running Game

Running behind the right side of the Cowboys’ offensive line with Zack Martin and Terence Steele has been where this team has been most effective so far this season.

The return of Tyron Smith, alongside shifting Tyler Smith to left guard, should be able to give this Cowboys offense the ability to start being more effective running on the left side of the offensive line.

That will give this running game more balance and more efficiency, considering teams won’t be able to load up over that right side anymore.

The power and physicality that the Cowboys will be adding to the left side of this offensive line will be able to match what they already have on the right side with Martin and Steele.

When you can run the ball on either side of your offensive line, you’re going to have more chances for big plays with Tony Pollard, along with the ability to control the clock playing bully ball with Ezekiel Elliott. Another win-win for the Cowboys.

1. Cowboys Offensive Line vs. Eagles Beefed-Up Defensive Line

As I stated before, much of the talk out of the NFC East has been about the Eagles and what they’ve been able to do along their defensive line to become more physical.

A lot of that was due to how well the Cowboys’ offensive line had been able to play against them last season, and this was their way to counter Dallas’ advantage.

The Tyron Smith return can now shift the talk to a discussion of which unit will get the better of the other.

While many may not see it as a boost outside of the Cowboys organization and fan base, Tyron’s return and the drafting of Tyler Smith should be able to offset the moves the Eagles have made.

These changes will create a power-against-power debate and a fight that the Cowboys would now be able to draw even in — if not gain the upper hand, based on the amount of time the offensive line has spent together in the offseason/during the season, compared to the Eagles’ recently-upgraded defensive line.

We will find out which unit is better on Christmas Eve, when the Eagles head to AT&T Stadium in a matchup that could determine who wins the division.

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