What's your comfort level with Tyron Smith?

[robertfchew]

So reading all the people referring to his last 3 years as if that's the way it's going to be . . . in other words he can't be counted on is a bit like saying the surgery CAN'T fix the guy's problems. The neck (cervical stenosis) was his problem and is correctible. There are considerations about how successful the surgery will prove to be from a wear and tear standpoint but IF successful then he is fixed. Without knowing medically what was repaired then making a call on how dependable he'll be is impossible . . . but I can try.

Given that he probably had the foremost neurosurgeon(s) around and that he is successfully rehabbing and that I was around neurosurgery for 30 years I'll give him between 75% and 100% trust. It's obvious he loves the game, has drive to play, and is still a physical beast. I'm pretty confident. Last year, before the season, I knew his spinal issues would continue and felt pretty sure he couldn't play the whole season. Rest isn't the answer for an athlete with his previous neck problem.

Go show 'em Tyron.

I hope you're right but it's unlikely. He hasn't been able to play a full season in like 3 years.

 

[Bullflop]

As a fan, I'm sad that he isn't now able to be the player he once was.

I'll always think of him as a pro's pro, whenever he retires!

He always offers 100% of what he has in him!

 

[Hadenough]

I am at about 75% right now. Modern medicine has given a number of guys with that neck thing another 4-5 productive years. Moose's surgery was worse as they had to fuse vertebrae in his neck and he played 2-3 more years after. As long as there is no risk of direct injury to the spinal cord he should be good to go. But not a lot of details have been made known about his surgery so that gives me pause. I think the Cowboys would be stupid not to have a backup plan at this point. But I am not ready to spend a premium pick on it.

He had surgery? I remember a few years back he was refusing surgery and just did some rehab work. He would come into the season claiming he never felt better and than within 4 games was taking time off of practice. Your right about modern medicine but it really depends on the issue. When its a player having spinal and neck issues that involve fusing they usually recommend retiring because of the impact and forces involved in the NFL.

 

[Buzzbait]

I am at about 75% right now. Modern medicine has given a number of guys with that neck thing another 4-5 productive years. Moose's surgery was worse as they had to fuse vertebrae in his neck and he played 2-3 more years after. As long as there is no risk of direct injury to the spinal cord he should be good to go. But not a lot of details have been made known about his surgery so that gives me pause.
I think the Cowboys would be stupid not to have a backup plan at this point. But I am not ready to spend a premium pick on it.

Yes they do need a backup plan, and IMO it needs to be a lot better than they had last season. Last season's backup plan stunk. I'm at 50%. Tyron has been a great LT in the past, but he's missing games every year these days, so we can't depend on him to be there.

 

[Jipper]

I’ve loved him as a cowboy but the time to move on is now....he can’t be depended on unfortunately and the risk of having to swap LTs mid season is far worse than going in with a lesser more dependable talent.

the biggest question is how they address it? Maybe move Martin over for a year, draft a guy in the 2nd round and develop? I don’t know....but can’t hope he’s healthy, that’s a poor strategy

 

[DuncanIso]

What bad NFL GMs do is wait until something is broken to fix it. Bad GMs (like JJ) believe in their dreams. Every year they believe the best case scenario for players who may actually be in rapid decline. Bad GMs believe the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” They end up drafting to fix problems instead of drafting to strengthen.

Successful GMs- you know the ones winning SBs- always have a worst case scenario preparation plan. They believe the worst can happen every year, therefore have less dependence on luck and more calculation on preparation for depth at certain positions.

I think Jerry and Stephen mostly only look at the starters depth chart of their roster when planning. Injuries happen to every NFL team at some point and some years you are luckier than others. But the better GMs are good at building a complete 53 man roster.

Regarding Tyron Smith. One of my favorite Cowboys of the last 20 years. Five years ago, IMO, he was THE best player on this team. Now, he’s a question mark. The first ability an NFL player must have is natural ability. The second is availability. Ty Smith has incredible athletic ability. But his availability the last few years is becoming a bigger issue.My comfort level with Ty Smith now is less than 25%.

If we can draft a great LT- maybe someone as good at T Smith, why wouldn’t you take him? It’s one of the hardest positions to find talent in this league.

Draft a RT. LC is in worse shape than TSmith.

Also, Dallas can opt out of Collins contract after 2021.

 

[InTheZone]

Address other needs. Hope Tyron continues to play at a high level but we need to hit on defense before looking at his replacement. I dont want to see our top pick going to offense any time soon.

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

I hope you're right but it's unlikely. He hasn't been able to play a full season in like 3 years.

OK, I'll bite.

What is the reason he missed so many games the last 3 years? (spinal neck injury)

So, what has changed since the last 3 years? (surgery to repair the spinal neck injury)

Lastly, what does the last 3 years injury history have to do with the future if, as we suspect, this is a successful surgical procedure? ( ???? --- you tell me)

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Everyone is basing their prognostication of potential playing time on what has happened the last 3 years and keep bringing up "the last 3 years". If this has been a successful surgery and Tyron's neck problem(s) are corrected for the time being then the last 3 years are immaterial as a predictor.

I will grant all those making dire predictions about this 30 year old's playing future may have some foundation. He has missed playing time in the past due to a low back spinal column injury (disc) and knee injury (strain), both of which he overcame after missing short stints of playing time. So he does have some other playing injuries when can lead us to predict more in the future but not necessarily career ending type injuries.

We need fewer Debbie Downer fans !

 

[75boyz]

OK, I'll bite.

What is the reason he missed so many games the last 3 years? (spinal neck injury)

So, what has changed since the last 3 years? (surgery to repair the spinal neck injury)

Lastly, what does the last 3 years injury history have to do with the future if, as we suspect, this is a successful surgical procedure? ( ???? --- you tell me)

---------------------------------------------

Everyone is basing their prognostication of potential playing time on what has happened the last 3 years and keep bringing up "the last 3 years". If this has been a successful surgery and Tyron's neck problem(s) are corrected for the time being then the last 3 years are immaterial as a predictor.

I will grant all those making dire predictions about this 30 year old's playing future may have some foundation. He has missed playing time in the past due to a low back spinal column injury (disc) and knee injury (strain), both of which he overcame after missing short stints of playing time. So he does have some other playing injuries when can lead us to predict more in the future but not necessarily career ending type injuries.

We need fewer Debbie Downer fans !

Whether deemed a more cautious, Debbie Downer or positive approach could be debated. But this decision concerning the second most important position of an entire offense totally impacts the offense functioning optimally.

My amateur eyes tell me that Coach Philbin can not coach up the existing depth chart of OTs to produce serviceable starter results in the event of a Tyron prolonged absence.

As stated, this is is central to the offense's overall effectiveness.

In my opinion this decision shares equal weight, if not more, than addressing defense.

And I don't disagree with one word of your post here. I just frame my own concern not as pessimistic but as a more reliable option in a top pick over just hoping for Smiths return to peak health.

Just my opinion.

 

[Tussinman]

OK, I'll bite.

What is the reason he missed so many games the last 3 years? (spinal neck injury)

So, what has changed since the last 3 years? (surgery to repair the spinal neck injury)

Lastly, what does the last 3 years injury history have to do with the future if, as we suspect, this is a successful surgical procedure? ( ???? --- you tell me)

---------------------------------------------

Everyone is basing their prognostication of potential playing time on what has happened the last 3 years and keep bringing up "the last 3 years". If this has been a successful surgery and Tyron's neck problem(s) are corrected for the time being then the last 3 years are immaterial as a predictor.

I will grant all those making dire predictions about this 30 year old's playing future may have some foundation. He has missed playing time in the past due to a low back spinal column injury (disc) and knee injury (strain), both of which he overcame after missing short stints of playing time. So he does have some other playing injuries when can lead us to predict more in the future but not necessarily career ending type injuries.

We need fewer Debbie Downer fans !

100% spot on.

Whats funny is our fanbase is so stupid that if he had gotten the surgery earlier they would of cried "why is he taking an elective surgery during out window to win ?" or "ohhh back in my day players would just tough it out, these new generation of high dollar divas are soft".

Ironically the same people on this thread saying "trade him" would be the first people to come on here next season and scream "why the hell did the front office trade him if this was a corrective surgery" if Tyron was traded and went back to pro bowl form.

 

[Typhus]

Love the guy! Hate he has more behind him than IN front of him.

Is he one that you kind of go like this?

1. 25%

2. 50%

3. 75%

4. 100%

5. Need to spend a draft pick, he's done.

Its moderate.
I would upgrade that to comfortable if we had and already up and coming LT in the works.

 

[DuncanIso]

Address other needs. Hope Tyron continues to play at a high level but we need to hit on defense before looking at his replacement. I dont want to see our top pick going to offense any time soon.

need a RT.

Dallas can out Collins contract after 2021.

LT is good for 2-3 seasons.