The 2021 NFL season doesn’t start for another few months, but that doesn’t mean the Dallas Cowboys aren’t making headlines. According to news from the man himself, offensive tackle Tyron Smith says that he is feeling better than ever and believes his injuries are a thing of the past. Meanwhile, first-year Cowboy Tarell Basham detailed why he decided to sign with Dallas as a free agent.
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Dallas Cowboys News: Tyron Smith Not Done, Tarell Basham Excited to Win
When healthy, Tyron Smith is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. Unfortunately, the seven-time Pro Bowler has not been fully healthy in quite some time. A series of back and neck injuries have limited him to just 55 games over the past five seasons, including just two in 2020. Smith underwent neck surgery to address his latest ailment, and the future Hall of Famer believes that he is finally ready to get back on the football field and stay there.
While speaking to reporters, Smith said that he is “feeling great” and thinks that his neck injury was “kind of connected” to everything with his back. If this is true, then Smith should be the healthiest he’s been since the start of the Dak Prescott Era.
Entering his age-30 season, the behemoth left tackle believes that he still has plenty of fuel left in his tank, as long as he’s “being smart” about it. Smith underwent the surgery with the goal of playing long, and he “want[s] to keep playing as long as he can.”
Cowboys LT Tyron Smith: "I’m probably in better shape than I’ve been in in a while. …Honestly, feeling great. Finally got the neck fixed, and I think that kind of (was) connected to everything with the back. I’m glad I finally got it fixed after all these years."
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 3, 2021
Tyron Smith has always been an important part of the Dallas Cowboys, but he will more important than ever in 2021. Dallas’s offensive line is not the unstoppable force it once was, meaning that the left tackle’s presence will go a long way in determining the overall ceiling of the unit. Additionally, quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off a major ankle injury, and he’ll need as much protection as possible in his return to the field. Even if he is 100% physically for the start of the season, there is a chance he’ll need some time before he feels truly comfortable back on the field.
Tarell Basham Excited to Win With Dallas Cowboys
Newly-signed edge defender Tarell Basham has spent most of his NFL career on pretty terrible teams. A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Basham spent his rookie season on an underwhelming 4-12 Colts team captained by Jacoby Brissett. He proceeded to spend the majority of the next three seasons with the New York Jets, and the Jets proceeded to record a combined 13 wins from 2018 to 2020.
As a first-time free agent, Basham wanted to join a team that a realistic shot of a deep playoff push. Saying that he has “done enough losing in my past”, Basham believes that the Cowboys have “a better chance than most” to get to the playoffs, thanks in large part to the “explosiveness on offense”.
Even though the Cowboys are coming off of a rough season, they should be favorites to win the NFC East. It all starts with the quarterback, and Dak Prescott has already proven to be one of the NFL’s better young passers. Armed with arguably the best receiving trio in the league, this offense should be one of the best in football, even if Prescott needs some time to feel comfortable under center. After spending the entire offseason bolstering the defense, this roster should be good enough to win a weak NFC East. For the first time in his career, Basham has a very realistic shot of making the playoffs.
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