After five-year hiatus, ‘monster’ Aldon Smith turning heads at Dallas Cowboys’ camp
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was asked to sum up his impressions of defensive end Aldon Smith after a week of training camp.
“Hey, who the hell was No. 58,” McCarthy mockingly asked. “That’s my thought when he walked out on the field for the first time. He looks good.”
Smith, who hasn’t been in the league the past five seasons while serving a suspension for legal and substance abuse issues, signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys in April and he was officially reinstated in May.
So far in training camp, Smith has been turning heads and reminding many of the player he was for the San Francisco 49ers when he had 14 and 19.5 sacks in his first two seasons in the NFL.
With no preseason games, coaches and fans will only have to wait another three weeks for Smith’s first test. The Cowboys’ 2020 season kicks off in Los Angeles against the Rams on September 13. For now, Smith is simply grateful to be back with teammates.
“I was really excited,” said Smith, who turns 31 next month. “I don’t know if I told any of the guys, but I was thinking in my head, it’s been a long road, being back on the field after that much time off was a blessing and it was a little surreal.”
McCarthy says Smith is “hitting all the targets.”
“You can see his power, his length is extraordinary,” he said. “I’m very, very happy with where Aldon is right now.”
Smith’s progress is especially impressive to McCarthy because not only is Smith coming off a five-year hiatus, but he’s learning a new defense, playing with new teammates and some of the communication and language of the game that could also be new for him. McCarthy credited his staff and Smith’s teammates for helping expedite his progress.
“He’s a man. He’s a monster,” quarterback Dak Prescott said after Thursday’s practice. “Damn sure doesn’t look like he hasn’t played in five years. Doesn’t play like it. Energy would never tell you that. Very fortunate to have him. Very fortunate to have him on my team and not rushing me. He’s going to make all of us better. He’s a great player.”
Smith doesn’t sound too worried about being able to prove he still has what it takes to excel in the NFL. In fact, he thinks his body, which is at about 280 pounds — 25 pounds heavier than in 2015 — is more flexible.
“I feel like I’ve learned how to take care of my body and I feel good,” he said. “If anything, it’s just made what I did in the past better. I’ve always liked to use speed and power and I’ve added some weight that’s muscle. So it just makes the power more powerful.”
The Cowboys are hoping Smith and DeMarcus Lawrence are able to give the defensive line to premiere edge rushers. Smith and Lawrence have bonded like longtime friends, Smith said. And it’s that bond with teammates Smith has enjoyed the most in his return.
“Oh, definitely the camaraderie, the guys, the laughs, the little jokes. Just being around guys and things like that, just locker room fun,” Smith said.
“All the interaction that a lot of people don’t see and actually builds a team into being a close-knit group. That’s something that I missed, and I enjoy, and I’m glad I’m back around it.”
