FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton knew what was at stake after his inconsistent rookie season, which left more questions than answers about whether he was the right guy to be Dak Prescott's blindside protector.
But this offseason, Guyton has gotten with the program. He's changed his diet, is stretching more, and guys like Prescott and Tyron Smith - the legendary left tackle who Guyton is trying to replace - have taken notice.
With a new-look offensive line that will have three first-round picks, none have the question marks over them like Guyton does, with the left tackle position one of the utmost importance to Prescott.
And while we have only seen snippets at OTAs and minicamp, Prescott has seen everything, and he's picking up what Tyler's putting down.
“Guyton’s made a huge step, and it's in the mentals,” Prescott said. “It's in his approach, it's in his preparation, it's in the way that he's taking care of his body working out and practicing so not going to be surprised with the jump that he makes this year because I've watched every step in the process that he's put into this and excited for him.”
That's more like it.
And what does the just-retired icon Tyron Smith have to say about Guyton, who has been training under Tyron this offseason?
“He wants to put in the work,” Smith said via Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “He just needs a little technique work which he’s doing right now. I feel like it’s going to be a different type of year for him ...''
And why?
Tyron suggested that the game will slow down as he gets "the rookie nerves out. I think he’s building more confidence in his technique because he’s learning a lot more now. Being a first-rounder the way he is, he already has the expectations. But you can’t lean in too much on that, you have to have it for yourself. You have to want to be the best in this league, and that has to be your mentality.''
That sounds good, too.
With Guyton and Tyler Booker, Dallas' last two first-round picks, to go with young All-Pro Tyler Smith, second-year center Cooper Beebe and a rejuvenated Terence Steele, Prescott's front five appears, on paper, to be in good shape.
Granted, we haven't seen the unit work in pads yet, so Oxnard will be telling in how they function as a group. But all eyes will be on Guyton then.
For now? The eyes of Dak and Tyron are on him. And they seem to like what they see.
