What is up with LB Luke Gifford?

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

What is up with LB Luke Gifford?

I took a quick look at the 2020 Cowboys roster depth chart, and he's the only linebacker listed on the 4th string depth chart. Starter Leighton Vander-Esch, 2nd stringer veteran Sean Lee and 3rd stringer undrafted rookie Francis Bernard are all above him.

For someone who has proto-typical excellent size for a LB at 6'3", weighs 243 lbs and is only 25 years old, I was expecting more from him this year, especially since he made a little noise late in training camp this year.

He's only got 2 tackles in this season. I don't remember ever seeing him play defense, so those tackles must have come during special teams. Some of us were expecting much more from him this 2020 season. So disappointing not to see hardly anything from him. Was truly hoping he would be able to contribute on defense this year.

Is his lack of playing due to Mike Nolan's defensive alignments requiring only 2 LBs at times, or is Luke Gifford simply not that good? If he's not that good, will he even make the team next year?

John813 · Nov 24, 2020

Who knows to be honest.

But I think this year the plan was to have their vets be the guys getting playing time at LB to spell LVE or Smith.
The mindset this year seems to be trust the vets over the young guys, and give the vets a long leash.
Lee and Thomas are UFAs, and they will still have Gifford under contract/rights for next year.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

John813 said:
Who knows to be honest.

But I think this year the plan was to have their vets be the guys getting playing time at LB to spell LVE or Smith.
The mindset this year seems to be trust the vets over the young guys, and give the vets a long leash.
Lee and Thomas are UFAs, and they will still have Gifford under contract/rights for next year.

You're right bro. It sure seems that way. Doesn't seem like the best idea, especially since the coaches were so wrong on Dontari Poe and a few others that they gave preference to the younger guys. Probably cost us several games with this mentality.

TheBigEasy · Nov 24, 2020

I'm still on the side that Luke has a legit shot at being an above-average LB given that he's allotted minutes to do his thing and avoids that dang injury bug which has been gnawing at his heels since he signed. Hopefully, once Lee retires (and before he turns 50), Luke will get some much needed reps and that all important shot at claiming a starting gig. He was a beast at NU but was just scratching the surface of his talents. He got into the game late which always gave me hope that he has a lot more to showcase. We shall see....

Carson · Nov 24, 2020

They run a lot of two man linebacker schemes is the main reason. LVE and Smith

jujoboys · Nov 24, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
What is up with LB Luke Gifford?

I took a quick look at the 2020 Cowboys roster depth chart, and he's the only linebacker listed on the 4th string depth chart. Starter Leighton Vander-Esch, 2nd stringer veteran Sean Lee and 3rd stringer undrafted rookie Francis Bernard are all above him.

For someone who has proto-typical excellent size for a LB at 6'3", weighs 243 lbs and is only 25 years old, I was expecting more from him this year, especially since he made a little noise late in training camp this year.

He's only got 2 tackles in this season. I don't remember ever seeing him play defense, so those tackles must have come during special teams. Some of us were expecting much more from him this 2020 season. So disappointing not to see hardly anything from him. Was truly hoping he would be able to contribute on defense this year.

Is his lack of playing due to Mike Nolan's defensive alignments requiring only 2 LBs at times, or is Luke Gifford simply not that good? If he's not that good, will he even make the team next year?

Our DC runs a lot of 4-2-5 packages which leaves us with only 2 true LBers on the field most of the time. I don’t recall many times when we have 3 LBers on the field at the same time. That limits his opportunities. We are going with that extra secondary guy over a LBer a lot of plays.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

jujoboys said:
Our DC runs a lot of 4-2-5 packages which leaves us with only 2 true LBers on the field most of the time. I don’t recall many times when we have 3 LBers on the field at the same time. That limits his opportunities. We are going with that extra secondary guy over a LBer a lot of plays.

That's what I thought. Thanks for verifying that. I don't like Nolan's defense of only playing 2 true LBs. What a waste that we're not using our other LB talent because of his 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

conner01 · Nov 24, 2020

Injuries have cost him valuable playing time and no pre season hurts all young guys
He’s only showing one defensive snap but has been on much of ST plays

CalPolyTechnique · Nov 24, 2020

He’s our new Justin Beriault.

Never has a player made more out of a preseason interception than Gifford has. He should be applauded.

Whyjerry · Nov 24, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
You're right bro. It sure seems that way. Doesn't seem like the best idea, especially since the coaches were so wrong on Dontari Poe and a few others that they gave preference to the younger guys. Probably cost us several games with this mentality.

I also think coaches are pressured to play guys given contract and draft status. Here more than anywhere.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

Whyjerry said:
I also think coaches are pressured to play guys given contract and draft status. Here more than anywhere.

Sad but true bro.

jujoboys · Nov 24, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
That's what I thought. Thanks for verifying that. I don't like Nolan's defense of only playing 2 true LBs. What a waste that we're not using our other LB talent because of his 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

I think our run defense suffered bad using this scheme along with having Poe on the field. Poe was supposed to be a DT that could take on a double team and hold up those guys or even push them back. This would allow everyone else to help out with the running game so you didn’t need the extra LBer. Of course Poe didn’t work out. Nolan’s defense doesn’t work well without a big DT that is disruptive.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

CalPolyTechnique said:
He’s our new Justin Beriault.

Never has a player made more out of a preseason interception than Gifford has. He should be applauded.

That's not fair bro. Justin Beriault was always hurt, thus never was able to get on the field or even sidelines. Luke Gifford has been with us for 2 seasons now. He was injured most of last season, but he's healthy this year. He's been limited due to Mike Nolan's defensive scheme and veteranship.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

jujoboys said:
I think our run defense suffered bad using this scheme along with having Poe on the field. Poe was supposed to be a DT that could take on a double team and hold up those guys or even push them back. This would allow everyone else to help out with the running game so you didn’t need the extra LBer. Of course Poe didn’t work out. Nolan’s defense doesn’t work well without a big DT that is disruptive.

100% agree.

AbeBeta · Nov 24, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
That's what I thought. Thanks for verifying that. I don't like Nolan's defense of only playing 2 true LBs. What a waste that we're not using our other LB talent because of his 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

What much football lately? Nickle is pretty much everyone's base these days unless you face a team who plays with a fullback (so, basically, no one)

Praxit · Nov 24, 2020

..this guy showed lots of promise. Hope they havent given up on him.

quickccc · Nov 24, 2020

John813 said:
Who knows to be honest.

But I think this year the plan was to have their vets be the guys getting playing time at LB to spell LVE or Smith.
The mindset this year seems to be trust the vets over the young guys, and give the vets a long leash.
Lee and Thomas are UFAs, and they will still have Gifford under contract/rights for next year.

I haven't even seen Joe Thomas as of late. Is he injured ?
He hasn't been on the game inactive list. and I haven't seen him being IR'ed or on the injury report.

Luke Gifford i'm seeing as JAG.
maybe he adds special team value as Justin March as made inactive this past Vikes game.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

AbeBeta said:
What much football lately? Nickle is pretty much everyone's base these days unless you face a team who plays with a fullback (so, basically, no one)

Looks like you're wrong... once again.

As you can see, a majority (15 out of 32) of 2020 NFL teams use a base 4-3 defense, while another 10 teams use a 3-4 alignment as their base defense. The remaining 7 teams use a Multiple Front variety of alignments.

Future · Nov 24, 2020

America's Cowboy said:
That's what I thought. Thanks for verifying that. I don't like Nolan's defense of only playing 2 true LBs. What a waste that we're not using our other LB talent because of his 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

This is what every defense does. It's not a Nolan thing. It is a product of teams leaning on 11 personnel.

America's Cowboy · Nov 24, 2020

Future said:
This is what every defense does. It's not a Nolan thing. It is a product of teams leaning on 11 personnel.

Thanks, Future.

What is up with LB Luke Gifford?

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