Linebacker Positional Group

texbumthelife

texbumthelife

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Honestly, I would have preferred they added KJ Wright than all the safeties put together. He's not the same player anymore, but he's a smart, savvy veteran leader that would bring the biggest lift to this defense of anyone in FA.
 
Vinnie2u

Vinnie2u

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Need to find linebacker talent this draft. Maybe we can sneak a peek at the Steelers board...
 
Bobhaze

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Our LBs, like almost all our defensive position groups, are below average as a group. If they don’t make any other FA moves to address it, expect the possibility of a higher draft pick used for a LB should the right one fall to us.

I’m concerned about keeping Sean Lee around for what appears to be sentimental reasons. Love the guy, his leadership and commitment to this team but if we take off the blue tinted fan glasses, he’s a 33 yo backup with a miles long injury history and zero upside. It would make so much more sense to draft a LB with some upside at a cheaper price than to sign Lee again for more money than a rookie would garner with the likelihood of Lee not playing a whole season anyway.

I’m remembering when we drafted Anthony Hitchens in the 4th round back in 2014. He was not spectacular but he was/is solid, durable, and good enough to develop. Point here is, there will likely be a good developmental LB available in rounds 3-6 that would IMO be a better long term move for this team. And if there is a great LB available in rounds 1-2, that should be a consideration as well.
 
nyc-cowboy

nyc-cowboy

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Bobhaze said:
Our LBs, like almost all our defensive position groups, are below average as a group. If they don’t make any other FA moves to address it, expect the possibility of a higher draft pick used for a LB should the right one fall to us.

I’m concerned about keeping Sean Lee around for what appears to be sentimental reasons. Love the guy, his leadership and commitment to this team but if we take off the blue tinted fan glasses, he’s a 33 yo backup with a miles long injury history and zero upside. It would make so much more sense to draft a LB with some upside at a cheaper price than to sign Lee again for more money than a rookie would garner with the likelihood of Lee not playing a whole season anyway.

I’m remembering when we drafted Anthony Hitchens in the 4th round back in 2014. He was not spectacular but he was/is solid, durable, and good enough to develop. Point here is, there will likely be a good developmental LB available in rounds 3-6 that would IMO be a better long term move for this team. And if there is a great LB available in rounds 1-2, that should be a consideration as well.
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Just to add a bit - If LVE and Smith were really learning a lot - becoming smart players like Lee/developing - then MAYBE you can justify bringing him back, but its plain to see they aint learning jack.
 
Cmac

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Cowboyny said:
After hearing MM's press conference yesterday, it appears Neal is going to become the team's new will linebacker. They are still in discussions to resign Sean Lee, which would make signing KJ Wright, highly unlikely. It's a shame as it looks like Seattle probably won't be bringing him back.

If Neal is going to play the will, who plays the mike, who plays the strong-side? My guess Lve remains at the mike, Jaylon moves to the strong-side and comes off the field against the pass.

I don't think the front office/coaches view the position in dire need like most of us fans. In my opinion, they need to start rebuilding the positional group now as all three starters could potentially be off the team next season. What I have read/heard recently suggests, we can cross off them taking a linebacker in rd 1, maybe even rd 2 in this year's draft.
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"Still in discussions with SLee"......scares me.
 
Bobhaze

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Starforever said:
The team needs some "get right". They cannot wait too long on making these decisions. By the draft, the team should not be mulling over a "Lee retirement".
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Honest question for Cowboys FO: Is there another team in the league interested in signing Sean Lee? The “we like our guys” mantra is so old.
 

baltcowboy

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Cowboyny said:
After hearing MM's press conference yesterday, it appears Neal is going to become the team's new will linebacker. They are still in discussions to resign Sean Lee, which would make signing KJ Wright, highly unlikely. It's a shame as it looks like Seattle probably won't be bringing him back.

If Neal is going to play the will, who plays the mike, who plays the strong-side? My guess Lve remains at the mike, Jaylon moves to the strong-side and comes off the field against the pass.

I don't think the front office/coaches view the position in dire need like most of us fans. In my opinion, they need to start rebuilding the positional group now as all three starters could potentially be off the team next season. What I have read/heard recently suggests, we can cross off them taking a linebacker in rd 1, maybe even rd 2 in this year's draft.
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I think Jaylon and LVE are going to share the Mike. They can’t trust LVE to play. If he proves healthy then LVE will get the most snaps. I believe Neal is the guy and will get the most snaps next season.
 
Chuck 54

Chuck 54

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Don’t buy the media hype which has resurfaced after his 40 yd dash.
Parsons will drop in the draft. No way he goes top 10. Even with injury, it will be interesting to see who drops further, Parsons or Farley.
 
Chuck 54

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Sydla said:
At this point, you have to go LVE at MIKE and Smith at SAM. Smith simply can't play in the middle. LVE isn't much better but has some upside still at MIKE IMO.
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After last year, I have trouble with all LBs, but LVE was a beast outside when he went to the pro bowl. Wasn’t Jaylon in the middle when he replaced Luke kuechly in pro bowl?
 
boysfanindc

boysfanindc

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I love KJ Wright, his play on the field and the leadership qualities he brings, can't see Jaylon celebrating a tackle when he let a guy get 3 yards on a 3rd and 2 with KJ around.

I don't think it is the cards though.
 

INCowboysFan

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Cowboyny said:
Lve should have more upside in coverage at the very least.
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Problem is, he doesn't. He sucks in coverage too.

Since 2018, LVE has played in 35 games, given up 128 completions on 159 attempts (80.5%) for 1,125 yards. He has 10 pass break ups and 2 Ints.
Since 2018, Jaylon has played in 54 games, given up 142 completions on 187 attempts (75.9%) for 1,311 yards. He has 18 pass break ups and 2 Ints

Neither one of them are very good.
 
Redball Express

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Cowboyny said:
After hearing MM's press conference yesterday, it appears Neal is going to become the team's new will linebacker. They are still in discussions to resign Sean Lee, which would make signing KJ Wright, highly unlikely. It's a shame as it looks like Seattle probably won't be bringing him back.

It's still a mystery about the defense..injuries and bad coaching is a toxic brew.the coaches are obviously looking for position flex in the defensive backfield. Not sure that is enough to make the defense he'll. Maybe position flex helps the defense.

We shall see.

If Neal is going to play the will, who plays the mike, who plays the strong-side? My guess Lve remains at the mike, Jaylon moves to the strong-side and comes off the field against the pass.

I don't think the front office/coaches view the position in dire need like most of us fans. In my opinion, they need to start rebuilding the positional group now as all three starters could potentially be off the team next season. What I have read/heard recently suggests, we can cross off them taking a linebacker in rd 1, maybe even rd 2 in this year's draft.
Click to expand...
 
Uncle_Hank

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Sydla said:
At this point, you have to go LVE at MIKE and Smith at SAM. Smith simply can't play in the middle. LVE isn't much better but has some upside still at MIKE IMO.
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Didn't Smith have his best season in the middle? His salary is fully guaranteed now, so they have to play him somewhere. You could sign Wright to play SAM and let LVE rotate at WILL with Neal.

At this point they have two options. You either take a $10M player off the field on passing downs (the majority of the snaps??), or you limit his coverage responsibilities by giving him a narrow zone in the middle of the field and tell him to stop looking at anything else.
 
MarkP88

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Cowboyny said:
After hearing MM's press conference yesterday, it appears Neal is going to become the team's new will linebacker. They are still in discussions to resign Sean Lee, which would make signing KJ Wright, highly unlikely. It's a shame as it looks like Seattle probably won't be bringing him back.

If Neal is going to play the will, who plays the mike, who plays the strong-side? My guess Lve remains at the mike, Jaylon moves to the strong-side and comes off the field against the pass.

I don't think the front office/coaches view the position in dire need like most of us fans. In my opinion, they need to start rebuilding the positional group now as all three starters could potentially be off the team next season. What I have read/heard recently suggests, we can cross off them taking a linebacker in rd 1, maybe even rd 2 in this year's draft.
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The whole middle of the defense remains a mess. There's a whole lot of maybes and hopefullys there...not a good way to enter the season. And speaking of hopefullys, hopefully we'll get an infusion of talent for the middle of the defense in the draft. I'm not holding my breath, though.
 
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