FRISCO, Texas – When asked about how his debut performance in the NFL went, rookie offensive tackle Tyler Guyton responded with a blunt reproach.
"Poorly."
The one-word response was a bit jarring, but he felt it to be appropriate and doubled down on the depiction.
"It's my first sack I've ever gave up. It hurts." Guyton said. "I feel like if I would've done the right things, there would've been none of that. I feel like my losses were on me. That's why I say I was poor."
Guyton wasn't satisfied by the way his performance showed up on tape, or even in the moment. The rookie allowed a sack against Myles Garrett and Cleveland in Week 1 that resulted in an early fumble. Another pressure late in the first half that forced Dak Prescott out of the pocket.
His debut provided a first regular season look from April's first-round pick, and the tape he delivered has film buffs across the country split on his first impression. Some believe he showed upside, others believe he struggled mightily. But there's no split in how Guyton viewed his showing.
"The reps I lost, I feel like it was because of me," Guyton said. "I was setting a weird way, or I didn't have my footing right or I'm not punching correctly. I feel like if I do everything I can win. Every rep. When I'm doing something wrong, I'm doing something wrong."
From the outside looking in, Guyton did his job. He allowed a pressure rate percentage of 5.4% across 37 pass blocking snaps. While Garrett still had his way defensively at times, the offensive scheme protected Guyton throughout the game and allowed time for the backfield to flow away from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
However, that's not the plan Guyton wants to rely on for the rest of his rookie season. Instead, he wants his self-criticism and mindset to become an avenue to improvement, no matter the opponent.
"I'm not really good at enjoying my work. I always criticize myself, but that's how you have to be to play in this league," Guyton said. "The situation was against a great player like that in my first game on the road, and I couldn't even hear. The odds were against me, but I mean, I don't think it was terrible, but I feel like I could have been a lot better."
Guyton's teammates certainly still have faith in his talent level. Prescott even provided some words of encouragement to his young left tackle and kept things in perspective after just one game.
"There were times that maybe he got edged or maybe Myles got his hands on me or hit me a little bit after the play and Tyler almost apologized in a sense. Just move on the next play," Prescott said. "So, for me it's about just telling him to continue to move on. He's growing in each rep, he understands that. He's going to be a hell of a player. Especially, if he keeps those expectations and is tough on himself like that, he's going to be a hell of a player."
Now that Guyton has seen one of the toughest challenges in the league, his attention turns to the rest of the league. Full of players that don't hold the same skillset and ability that Cleveland's front seven showcased in Week 1.
Another test awaits this week as the Saints come to town, straight off their debut with three takeaways and three sacks against Carolina last week. None of which worries Guyton in the slightest, especially if he can keep his impenetrable mindset.
"I believe in myself and I'm my biggest critic and I want to be great. So, you can't have that type of mindset. If you want to be the best, no matter who it is, it doesn't matter. It could be Joe Schmo or the best in the league. You got to want to win every rep."
