While the Cowboys have been figuring out what to do with right tackle Doug Free, their left tackle has been spending the offseason trying to improve before his third NFL season.
Tyron Smith is following in the footsteps of former Cowboys stars Randy White and Larry Allen by adding karate into his offseason regimen. He takes classes a few times a week in hopes of improving his hand-eye coordination, something he has also recommended to fellow offensive linemen Nate Livings, Mackenzy Bernadeau and Jermey Parnell.
Smith is also taking yoga, but practices imported from Asia aren’t the only way he’s trying to step up his game. Smith is also planning to add 10 pounds to his frame between now and the start of the season in hopes of being more of a mauler in the run game than he’s been in his first two seasons.
“I just want to be a better run-blocker and be stronger and more physical,” Smith said, via the Dallas Morning News. “There were times last year where I felt like I was too fast and I was a little off-balanced. I just basically want to add a little weight and stay there, be fast and strong at the same time.”
Smith looked better during his first year on the left side as the year progressed and he doesn’t turn 23 until December, two reasons to expect further improvement from Smith on the field in 2013. Given how little certainty there is elsewhere on the offensive line, that kind of improvement would suit the Cowboys quite well and could make Smith a cornerstone on their offense for many years.