Dallas Cowboys: Morris Claiborne grades low; more takeaways

2. Tyron Smith makes the team better

Aug 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle (21) runs with the ball behind the block from tackle Tyron Smith (77) against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive tackle Tyron Smith makes the Dallas Cowboys such a better team when he is on the field. The problem, though, for him and the rest of the franchise, is the rest of the offense is five steps behind his level of play, and it is a shame to see his talent wasted on a season that seems to be slipping away slowly.

Sure, the Cowboys are only one game back of the New York Giants in the NFC East standings, but they are also tied with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles with 2-3 records.

Since Tony Romo went down in Week 2, the Cowboys haven’t won since, and it isn’t because of the play of Smith. In fact, Smith is graded as the second-best offensive tackle in the league after five weeks by the folks at Pro Football Focus. Smith has a grade of 92.0 out of 100, trailing only Cleveland’s Joe Thomas, whose grades are 93.9 for the year thus far.

In fact, on the PFF Top 10 offensive tackles grades list for the season, there are three players from the NFC East, including Washington’s Trent Williams (84.3) and Jason Peters of the Eagles at 83.9.

Speaking of Smith, in the loss to New England, he graded at +5.8 for the week, though his fellow offensive lineman Zack Martin (right guard) was the highest-graded Cowboys player for the week at +6.1 by PFF.

The takeaway from Smith this past week is easy: if the Cowboys are struggling now on the offensive side of the ball with him making solid blocks, think how bad this offense would be without him. The Cowboys should be very grateful to have a player like Smith anchoring the offensive line.

Next: Perfect time for a bye week