Cowboys Reveal Huge Move in O-Line, Change to 'Freak'

ARLINGTON - Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith has already established himself in the upper echelon of offensive linemen in the NFL after just a couple of years. Initially drafted to be Tyron Smith's replacement at left tackle, Tyler was moved inside to left guard where he became a Pro Bowler last season.

But against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tyler had to shift outside to left tackle with rookie Tyler Guyton out with an injury midway through the game, and as expected, it was like a duck to water for Smith.

Such was his level of play at left tackle, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was left impressed - so impressed that on NFL Week 6 here at AT&T Stadium, we've just learned that Dallas is making a "freak'' move.

“What a freak athlete,” Schottenheimer said. “You have to plan for all the contingencies, so he's been taking reps, half a dozen to a dozen every week in practice going back to training camp.

"It just speaks to his athleticism, his talent, just his overall play style is just different. He's a violent, athletic, tenacious football player and the other thing you love about him is when he does get beat, he lets it go. He's quite a luxury to have that you can just kind of do that and move him out there and have him go perform the way he did.”

With Smith kicking out to left tackle, T.J. Bass had to step in at left guard. The duo didn't miss a beat, and in fact, many have stated that Dallas' offensive line looked better with the pair together. And now we know : Guyton is active today against the Detroit Lions. But Smith is staying outside, with Bass starting.

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Dallas used a first-round pick on Guyton, so his path will likely be a long and successful one. But for now?

The Cowboys have a long history of drafting stud offensive linemen, and in Smith, they have done it again, getting this "freak athlete" to be a superb player no matter what position along the line he plays. And today, he's a tackle.