Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Tyler Smith’s practice comments should fire up Cowboys fans

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Randy Gurzi | Last updated May 30, 2025 9:17 AM ET

When Brian Schottenheimer took over as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, he made it clear that he wanted to bring the right kind of energy.

His focus has been on creating the “greatest culture in professional sports,” which includes encouraging players to dig deep and be the best versions of themselves.

It’s still early, but Schottenheimer’s message is getting across. Players have been thrilled with the energy at OTAs, and have been going hard as a result.

According to Tyler Smith, they might even be going too hard. The fourth-year pro said the coach has had to ask players to pull back.

“Even in practices like right now, he has to pull back on us, but I’d rather him tell us to pull back than him tell us to have to go hard," the All-Pro guard told the media after OTA practice on Thursday.

#Cowboys Tyler Smith taking about Brian Schottenheimer developing the culture and competing every day:

“Even in practices like right now, he has to pull back on us, but I’d rather him tell us to pull back than him tell us to have to go hard…”

(: @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/X9XL16dAdO
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) May 29, 2025

Cowboys fans have to be thrilled to hear such comments following years of watching their team approach games without much urgency.

Schottenheimer understands that everything you do in May will matter when January football rolls around—and those are the games that truly matter when building a great culture.

This article first appeared on Dallas Cowboys on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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