Jaylon Smith play-by-play

[gimmesix]

Since Smith draws a lot of heat from fans for his play, I thought I would focus on him on defense while watching the replay:

1st-and-10 Smith drops into zone coverage in the middle of the field before picking up the crosser as Hurts throws over the linebackers to Goedert. It appears that Diggs was playing the receiver who crossed, but then had to pick up Goedert coming off the line because of zone responsibilities. Goedert broke inside behind the linebackers with Diggs chasing. The crosser kept LVE and Jaylon from dropping in front of Goedert's route and Diggs couldn't catch up to Goedert. Smith was in good position on the crossing receiver.

1st-and-10 Smith stepped up to take on the back coming out of the backfield (either for the run or pass, can't tell), but the back actually dove at Parsons' legs to block him and the throw was quick to the outside, where Lewis pushed the receiver out of bounds after a few yards.

2nd-and-5 Smith is sitting in middle zone with a receiver just entering his area when Hurts throws deep down the sideline and is intercepted by Brown.

Nothing spectacular or particularly bad by Smith on this possession.

 

[lqmac1]

I think he’s been somewhat decent the last few games. I’m one of those that hasn’t been his biggest fan, but he’s been aight lately.

 

[fivetwos]

Thing with him is this....

He could be the best LB in the league or his usual self and its not going to change that he isnt getting cut NOW.....and he isnt NOT getting cut within the first few days of the next league year.

No sense in debating it. We know his fate already.

 

[AsthmaField]

Last season, I think Smith played something like 98% of the plays on defense. Just giving the guy some time to rest is going to make him more effective.

Throw in a better scheme and improved coaching and it is no wonder that Jaylon is playing decent football.

He isn’t great, by any stretch of the imagination… but he isn’t the terrible player that many make him out to be. He can be an effective part of a LB rotation that is heavy on Parsons and Neal. A fresh Smith (and LVE) can assist a good defense.

 

[RoboQB]

Thing with him is this....

He could be the best LB in the league or his usual self and its not going to change that he isnt getting cut NOW.....and he isnt NOT getting cut within the first few days of the next league year.

No sense in debating it. We know his fate already.

I pictured your avatar busting through a wall before saying what you wrote... lol

I concur with your comment. However, the cat enjoys swatting at the bug until
it eventually dies of exhaustion. (lol/jk)

 

[LovinItAll]

Last season, I think Smith played something like 98% of the plays on defense. Just giving the guy some time to rest is going to make him more effective.

Throw in a better scheme and improved coaching and it is no wonder that Jaylon is playing decent football.

He isn’t great, by any stretch of the imagination… but he isn’t the terrible player that many make him out to be. He can be an effective part of a LB rotation that is heavy on Parsons and Neal. A fresh Smith (and LVE) can assist a good defense.

He also had the 2nd most tackles in the NFL last year, 2 off the most (I think). Any of you want to lead the league in tackles (if you could even stay healthy enough after all those hits)? That will wear on a dude over 16 games.

He's played fine this year. No, he's not going to be an all-pro. We don't need him to be for him to be an effective player and a team leader.

He's a good LB. Forget about his contract - I don't begrudge any player for getting paid. If he stays healthy, he'll be starting in the NFL for the next decade.

I'm not saying he's Canton bound. Much like the 'Dak is trash' crowd, anyone that thinks Jaylon is a scrub just doesn't understand the position or the game.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

He also had the 2nd most tackles in the NFL last year, 2 off the most (I think). Any of you want to lead the league in tackles (if you could even stay healthy enough after all those hits)? That will wear on a dude over 16 games.

He's played fine this year. No, he's not going to be an all-pro. We don't need him to be for him to be an effective player and a team leader.

He's a good LB. Forget about his contract - I don't begrudge any player for getting paid. If he stays healthy, he'll be starting in the NFL for the next decade.

I'm not saying he's Canton bound. Much like the 'Dak is trash' crowd, anyone that thinks Jaylon is a scrub just doesn't understand the position or the game.

Oh please. Comparing the anti Dak crowd to the anti Jaylon crowd is insane. Even the local media loves Dak, whereas most journalists assume Jaylon would have been gone this season if there wasn't so much dead money. And the team doesn't exactly believe in him if they drafted 2 LBs and made a priority FA signing and moved him to LB too.

Jaylon can run at an ok pace in a straight line and gang tackle ball carriers. That's about all he can do. He can't do much of anything else and is by far the biggest weak link

 

[CowboyRoy]

He also had the 2nd most tackles in the NFL last year, 2 off the most (I think). Any of you want to lead the league in tackles (if you could even stay healthy enough after all those hits)? That will wear on a dude over 16 games.

He's played fine this year. No, he's not going to be an all-pro. We don't need him to be for him to be an effective player and a team leader.

He's a good LB. Forget about his contract - I don't begrudge any player for getting paid. If he stays healthy, he'll be starting in the NFL for the next decade.

I'm not saying he's Canton bound. Much like the 'Dak is trash' crowd, anyone that thinks Jaylon is a scrub just doesn't understand the position or the game.

He’s not a good linebacker. Not even close. He sucks actually.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Since Smith draws a lot of heat from fans for his play, I thought I would focus on him on defense while watching the replay:

1st-and-10 Smith drops into zone coverage in the middle of the field before picking up the crosser as Hurts throws over the linebackers to Goedert. It appears that Diggs was playing the receiver who crossed, but then had to pick up Goedert coming off the line because of zone responsibilities. Goedert broke inside behind the linebackers with Diggs chasing. The crosser kept LVE and Jaylon from dropping in front of Goedert's route and Diggs couldn't catch up to Goedert. Smith was in good position on the crossing receiver.

1st-and-10 Smith stepped up to take on the back coming out of the backfield (either for the run or pass, can't tell), but the back actually dove at Parsons' legs to block him and the throw was quick to the outside, where Lewis pushed the receiver out of bounds after a few yards.

2nd-and-5 Smith is sitting in middle zone with a receiver just entering his area when Hurts throws deep down the sideline and is intercepted by Brown.

Nothing spectacular or particularly bad by Smith on this possession.

I remember on that big run in the fist half he *****footed another hole as opposed to going down it and it was off to the races. Dude is a coward.

 

[LovinItAll]

He’s not a good linebacker. Not even close. He sucks actually.

7th in the league in solo tackles last year, not 'gang' tackles. Throw in assists and he was 2nd in the league.

So no, he doesn't suck.

 

[Cebrin]

I just don't understand playing him in the middle. My reason for this is watching his tape. He doesn't attack the gap, he waits. I don't think they know how use him, and I don't blame them.

 

[Zman5]

I've been watching him in slow mo and this guy is definitely trying his best to avoid contact with players bigger than him (OL, TE). He makes business decision that makes Deion look like
Roy Williams the safety.

He says he ran more than anyone in the last game. I believe him because that's all he does. He just runs around avoiding contact He will run and chase someone smaller than him (RB, QB, WR) and join the gang tackle after someone else already made the initial tackle.

People are saying he is playing better because you see him chasing people down. That's only part of what a LB is supposed to do. He has to at times take on a block to fill his gap. He can't act like a matador when a linemen is charging at him. Because a RB is coming through right behind that linemen for a big gain. Sander got like 26 yards on a play just like this.

 

[ultron]

I just think he wants to make a big play and gets overly amped up too much. He’s a really smart guy and very down to earth guy, I’ve met him in person and he seems like a really good guy - I root for him but it’s not looking good for him in big D

 

[CowboyRoy]

7th in the league in solo tackles last year, not 'gang' tackles. Throw in assists and he was 2nd in the league.

So no, he doesn't suck.

7 yards deep means you suck. Those are where most of those tackles were.

How many TFL?

 

[Denim Chicken]

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I think he’s been somewhat decent the last few games. I’m one of those that hasn’t been his biggest fan, but he’s been aight lately.

he is just OK. there is a lot of OK LBs. we are defintely looking to upgrade, specially given his salary. suffice it to say, this is his last year in Dallas. I look for Cox to take more of his snaps as the year goes on.

 

[the_h0wey]

7th in the league in solo tackles last year, not 'gang' tackles. Throw in assists and he was 2nd in the league.

So no, he doesn't suck.

Stop using rational thinking and facts. There is no place for that on this forum

 

[4lifecowboy]

I think he’s been somewhat decent the last few games. I’m one of those that hasn’t been his biggest fan, but he’s been aight lately.

I believe it was more of Nolan's defensive scheme that cause the drop in both his and LVE's play last year, the previous year they were touted as one of the best LB duos in the league under Marinelli.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

When watching film, I often notice a player who looks lost or whiffs on a tackle or gets washed out or gets beat bad in coverage. I can’t always see the player’s number. But, often that player has very long hair.

Note to Jaylon: get a haircut so you don’t stick out like a sore thumb when you make a bad play.

By the way Jaylon, nice move switching from 54 to 9. It fools some people who still think you are 54.

 

[Crown Royal]

This is bad, but it looks worse than it is. They are playing the read option - 93 owns the RB, Jaylon owns the QB. They are supposed to follow their player so that there isn't a "right answer." But the action from the TE was un-expected, so much so that I'm not sure this was ever an actual option play. I think it was designed to look like one so that Jaylon would stay on Hurts while the TE cleaned up the DE. It worked.

Now, you would like your LB to more quickly figure that out and move to the ball, and Jaylon has enough of this cheese- eating clips that he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt. But I think this was actually one well designed play from Philadelpiha as much as a whif. I actually think Jaylon was doing his job and the Cowboys got caught.