COWBOYS OUT TO PASTURE WITH NO SMITH

SACK ATTACK: The Cowboys offensive line struggled without left tackle Tyron Smith, giving up six sacks of Dak Prescott to Adrian Clayborn on Sunday.

DON’T you hate when you think you have one problem, attempt to solve it, only to find there is a larger problem that renders your previous solution moot?

You know, like taking care to get your tires rotated, and finding out your brakes need to be fixed. Or running out of paper in the printer then, after filling it, getting a toner error. Or defeating Scarecrow, only to learn he is working for the more dangerous villain Ra’s al Ghul.

That is sort of what happened to the Cowboys on Sunday in Atlanta. They knew replacing Ezekiel Elliott, who served the first of his six-game suspension Sunday, was not going to be easy. But between Alfred Morris, Rod Smith and Darren McFadden, they believed they could overcome that plight.

But they also were without left tackle Tyron Smith, who was sidelined with a groin strain. This became a much bigger issue than Zeke’s absence. The running game ran aground and the pass protection completely collapsed.

The Falcons sacked Dak Prescott eight times Sunday. The Cowboys had allowed 10 sacks total in their first eight games. Six of those eight came from Adrian Clayborn, who had not had six sacks in a season since his 2011 rookie year.

The running game produced just 65 combined yards from the backup running backs. Morris led the way with 53 yards — slightly more than half what Elliott was averaging per game. Prescott was next, with 42, mostly on scrambles.

So we can gather that life without Tyron Smith would cause significant damage to the Cowboys’ offense, and the fantasy value of those players. Team owner Jerry Jones said he “hopes” Smith can return this week for a fight with the mighty Eagles. Smith suffered the strain last week against the Chiefs.

Smith also has been dealing with a back issue, which the team reportedly has been managing since last season. Neither of these are the kind of problem we like to see in big-bodied offensive lineman, who could feel a tight back every time he bends over to get in his stance and need torso strength for leverage and thrust during blocks. This makes us worried about how effective Smith will be if rushed back.

There is a little bit of good news, though. We have some clarity regarding the backup backfield workload share. Morris is the clear lead runner, and Rod Smith will be utilized in the passing game. Barring injury to either, there is no reason to roster Darren McFadden.

Plus, the Madman suspects it won’t get any worse than what we saw Sunday. The Cowboys will make adjustments to get help for whoever fills in for Tyron Smith if he misses more time. The running game will improve when they are not playing from behind, and get improved blocking.

But, until that happens, or until Tyron Smith returns, don’t lean too heavily on the Zeke replacements. Consider Morris a flex option and Rod Smith a bye-week PPR filler.