FRISCO, Texas – It is never safe to give up the hype of the Training Camp early. It takes a little time to believe in the supplements with low risks, high rewards, regardless of the level.
What defensive end Aldon Smith has shown in his first two practices as a Dallas Cowboy is exciting.
In desperate need of a replacement for Robert Quinn this offseason, the Cowboys’ front office struck a one-year deal with Smith, a $ 910,000 base salary contract with a maximum of $ 4 million in incentives. A player who has not seen any game action in the NFL since appearing in nine games for the Oakland Raiders back in 2015.
Questions swirled this offseason around Smith as a former pro-bowler who reached incredible heights earlier in his career, to now fit into a new situation and re-establish himself. Would he be in shape? Can he adapt to a new system? Is there a way to get back to his former form?
Smith has apparently answered the first two of those questions and is well on his way to tackling the third as the season begins. In camp, he has shown that his athleticism is at stake because he is constantly in the backfield and shows no sign of rest, not even in the Texas heat.
In the first few practices, Smith has won valuable reps from the first teams while the team awaits the arrival of newly signed Everson Griffen. While these expressions are potentially short-lived, he has benefited from the snaps. In the first two exercises, Smith has performed multiple plays, matching Tyron Smith to the edge, complementing the presence of DeMarcus Lawrence on the opposite side, and having been active with his hands in hitting passes.
It’s early in camp, there still need to be pads, and obstacles have just started in a year as opposed to otherwise. The bottom line is that Smith has been good. He fits in seamlessly at the point where it’s impossible to tell he’s spent half a decade out of the NFL.
More importantly, he gives defensive coordinator Mike Nolan many options on how to rotate and refresh the defensive line. As someone who could stand on the edge, support bearing surface and strike passes on the line of scrimmage, Smith fits the bill like a round edge guard with upside down to make a direct impact. What happens is that all the Cowboys in 2020 will ask of him.
The expectation is not to have an All-Pro season like 19.5 sacks like Smith had in 2012, but if there is a rotating role and a chance to replenish Griffen on the defensive end.
But as his trend of influencing practices continues, and Smith flashes versions of his new self, heaven could be the limit for the bad veteran.
