OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys arrived at training camp on Tuesday afternoon in Southern California, as the six buses carrying team personnel made their way up the Pacific Coast Highway from LAX Airport to the River Ridge complex in Oxnard to officially begin the preparations around the 2024-25 season.
Going into year three and fresh off a second-team All-Pro nomination, offensive lineman Tyler Smith was the first one off the bus to speak with the media as the team mentally prepares to hit the field later this week and Smith himself prepares to take on a larger role.
"It's huge for me stepping into that leadership role," Smith said. "[Offensive line coach Mike Solari], his expectations, his philosophy, just bringing the younger guys like Tyler [Guyton] and Nate [Thomas] up to speed on that. Just being that leader for them and showing them the ropes."
It was just two summers ago when Tyler Smith arrived at training camp for the first time as a rookie, as guys like Tyron Smith, Terence Steele and Zack Martin were all available for him to learn from going into the league. Now, Smith is taking it upon himself to pass down that same knowledge during the team's time in Oxnard to two new starters on the offensive line that will be on either shoulder of him.
"Being in the o-line room, being around the great guys that I have [been around]," he said. "They imparted on me a lot of knowledge. It's my job to pass that knowledge on and continue to make sure that the standard of our room is held long after I'm gone and especially while I'm here."
While it's a different year under different circumstances, first-round pick Tyler Guyton is walking into a similar situation that Tyler Smith was walking into two years back, but this time with arguably more pressure considering he will be needed up front as early as week one.
For Smith, he is relishing the opportunity to help bring Guyton along over the course of the next few weeks.
"He makes it so easy, he's already a hard worker," he said. "He's eager to learn. Going over the playbook and those things. I think the biggest thing for us is being consistent and continuing to put in the extra work when we need to so we can be as good as we can be as a left side."
While being that leader that the offensive line room needs in 2024 is at the top of mind for Smith, so is improving his own game that he said can be improved in "all facets" going into year three.
"I want to do better than I did last year, if I'm being candid," Smith said. "Continuing to improve and continuing to rise."
Above all, the work begins officially on Thursday when the team takes the field for the first time, and the expectation for Smith remains high.
"The most important thing is to hit the ground running."
