ARLINGTON -- Jaylon Smith looks good. Really good.
If you've somehow missed this assessment since the start of training camp, it was again the topic of conversation Wednesday as the linebacker picked up the Ed Block Courage Award at the Cowboys' annual kickoff luncheon.
The praise for Smith, now more than two years removed from a gruesome knee injury, and his performance is justified. It also serves another purpose.
It overshadows the disappointment club officials feel with how little they've seen from Leighton Vander Esch in recent weeks.
Don't mangle the message. No one is saying the first-round pick is a disappointment.