Two games down and only 15 more as the Dallas Cowboys continue to prove fans right and show doubters precisely what they are missing out on.
The front office built this team for postseason football.
However, we have to contain ourselves and take each contest one at a time. Sometimes, that is hard for fans, especially watching the intensity that Micah Parsons is generating.
This squad is talented, loaded, and, most importantly, hungry. With those three ingredients, opposing teams need to be on alert.
For Dallas, the star power is evident on the field but giving credit to those in the background is equally important.
It’s early, but Tyron Smith has found a way to stay healthy thru two weeks
It sounds funny to even consider a player with Tyron Smith’s history as an unsung hero, but that’s where I’m starting.
I’m knocking on every piece of wood in my general vicinity to make sure we can keep him healthy for most of the season, but through two weeks, he has been all that we can ask for.
It’s looking increasingly like kicking Tyler Smith to the interior (at least through this season) was a fabulous idea.
Thus far, Tyron has lined up against Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jermaine Johnson, Carl Lawson, and other decent pass rushers residing on the East Coast, and they have yet to sniff Dak Prescott.
Tyron Smith has given up one pressure and was responsible for one penalty.
Some of that is a product of the offense; getting rid of the ball early and often and limiting those deep quarterback drops will help your O-Line.
Watching Tyron hold Lawson up like a misbehaving child reminded me of the old days.
Dallas will need that as they play the defensive lines of San Francisco and Philadelphia, but I like their chances from what I’ve seen from number 77.
TJ Bass continues to prove his value thru his versatility
Why not stick with the offensive line?
The depth of this unit continues to be a question mark for this team. However, TJ Bass has been a nice plug-and-play chess piece for Offensive Line coach Mike Solari.
He can play either the left or right guard position.
Bass entered the game when Chuma Edoga went down in the Giants’ opener and did not miss a beat.
It wasn’t always pretty, but he played like a veteran, and you have to appreciate that as a fan.
He also gets credit for the defensive lines he lined up against right out of the gate as a rookie.
Despite the Giants’ crushing defeat, their front four, led by Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams, is highly talented.
The name Quinnen Williams speaks for itself.
Pro Football Focus reported Bass had 130 snaps in 2 games with no pressures, sacks, or hits on Dak Prescott.
Dallas can still win without Bass, but having a third guard with minimal drop-off is helpful.
Dorance Armstrong is overshadowed but just as talented on the defensive line
Dorance Armstrong’s impact was felt more in week one, but he continues to be ‘Mr. Steady Eddy’ on this defensive line.
He has played 41 total snaps in 2023, of which 32 were pass-rushing snaps.
Amstrong tied Osa Odighizuwa with two sacks, but Micah took his rightful place on the throne after the Jets’ shellacking.
Nevertheless, he still amassed seven total pressures and four stops in backup duty.
When he lines up on the field with Lawrence, Osa, and Parsons, that is a terrible foursome to stop.
While he may not be in the spotlight with the national media, local fans understand precisely what Armstrong brings.
It’s a long season, and having him, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, and Chauncey Golston rotating along that defensive front should worry offensive coordinators.
He may never be the headliner of this defense or the second act.
Yet still, he is an asset that should help this team this year with this Super Bowl run.
