OXNARD, Calif. — Tyler Smith says he feels more comfortable in his second year, but still, there’s a key difference without Zack Martin on the field.
Despite his absence, Martin has remained in communication with the offensive line group to keep spirits high heading into 2023.
“He texted us, we’re still close,” Smith said of Martin. “We’re still fully behind it. He was like, ‘Set the tone, I’ll be there soon.'”
In his absence, it’s been a group effort leadership-wise with Tyron Smith taking the reins of what remains a mostly youth offensive line group. For Tyler Smith, it’s also a chance to try and lead the pack.
“Tyron [Smith] He’s stepped up in the room as a great veteran,” Tyler Smith said. “The standard hasn’t changed. We still have to do things at the level we are used to. Just stepping up and I feel like everyone has done that. Just being a leader on and off the field is what we’re trying to do.”
Comfort levels remain strong for Smith with a year under his belt and a certain level of expectation from unexpected situations that come his way early in camp.
“I feel like this year, having a full year in the NFL, there are fewer surprises here and there. I know what the expectation is and I know what’s expected of me in things that I might have to do during the year. I think there’s a different level of comfort.”
“It’s more about building things than getting familiar with everything for the first time. It’s easier for me to grind and easier to build.”
Smith was pushed to left tackle to start his NFL career when Tyron Smith went down with an injury in preseason, and the second-year Tulsa product sees it as an added layer of preparation should a similar situation arise.
“I feel pretty prepared,” he said. “Last year was a great year for that, I started training camp playing guard and then I started the season playing tackle, and even games and practices during the season switching between guard and tackle.
“That was the precursor to what I’m doing now. There are fewer growing pains, I feel like it’s more about tightening things up and refining. Being too versatile is never a bad thing, it’s a good thing for our guys.”
During the first two days in camp, Smith has trained primarily at left guard, a position he is now more comfortable with as he enters his second season.
“That’s my focus for now,” Smith said. “That’s where they’re playing me and that’s what I have to do.”
2023-07-27 23:15:45
#Martin #texts #OLine #Ill
