What current player will step up and contribute?

McKDaddy · Jan 28, 2020

We've talked most subjects to death. Maybe we could think more about where we are going and who might help get us there. But not the "what ifs" of bringing in free agents or draft picks but maybe players with the team in some capacity in 2019 who might step forward in 2020. Doesn't mean they have to become a superstar just that they contribute more and just maybe their step forwards fills what today appears to be a weakness.

Often we tend to dismiss or forget players that aren't instant starters yet we know that the biggest jump in player development often occurs in years 2 & 3. So, who are some players you think perhaps you have seen something in who could play a larger role in 2020?

I'll throw a name to get discussion started. Luke Gifford. What if he gives us options at LB to deal with SL (if he continues playing) not being a full time starter? Options to sort thru LVE recovery? Options if Jaylon doesn't improve his play? Just options.

conner01 · Jan 28, 2020

We need some of those red shirted guys to work out. And hill could be huge if they can get him motivated
Jelks , Gifford, McGovern and others

Doomsday101 · Jan 28, 2020

I want to see Jaylon and the rest of the defense play better but just looking at the numbers vs Bobby Wagner who lead the league in tackles and comparing them to Jaylon are pretty similar

Wagner 159 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 pass defended, 1 int and 1 forced fumble
Jaylon 142 tackles 2.5 sacks 10 pass defended, 1 int and 2 forced fumbles.

As mentioned I want to see this entire unit play better but Jaylon play was not poor.

Doomsay · Jan 28, 2020

I’m hoping we can get some reasonably priced FA’s with this broad injection of outside the star knowledge. Hopefully we’ll draft a lot better on defense with the departure of the nickname bridge troll. That shouldn’t be hard - no more known medical risks or head cases, please.

Future · Jan 28, 2020

Doomsday101 said:
I want to see Jaylon and the rest of the defense play better but just looking at the numbers vs Bobby Wagner who lead the league in tackles and comparing them to Jaylon are pretty similar

Wagner 159 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 pass defended, 1 int and 1 forced fumble
Jaylon 142 tackles 2.5 sacks 10 pass defended, 1 int and 2 forced fumbles.

As mentioned I want to see this entire unit play better but Jaylon play was not poor.

Jaylon was absolutely terrible. Tackle numbers are meaningless. Blake Martinez had 155

Future · Jan 28, 2020

McKDaddy said:
I'll throw a name to get discussion started. Luke Gifford. What if he gives us options at LB to deal with SL (if he continues playing) not being a full time starter? Options to sort thru LVE recovery? Options if Jaylon doesn't improve his play? Just options.

I think Gifford is an interesting one. This team badly needs a Mike LBer - him stepping up there would allow them to be a lot more nuanced with how they use Jaylon, and that can make a big difference. Having said that, I don't think Gifford will ever see many snaps in nickel unless there's injuries, so it's hard to think he'll have a huge impact.

I'm curious to see if Dorrance Armstrong makes a jump. A lot of passrushers do in year 3. He has flashed a handful of times, and could be a more effective piece next year.

ESisback · Jan 28, 2020

???
OL.....Smith, Williams, Fred, Martin, Collins, Filo, Fleming, Looney, McGovern, draft or FA
QB...Dak, FA vet
RB...Zeke, Pollard, 3rd RB or FB
TE...Jarwin, FA, draft or Shultz
WR...Cooper, Gallup, Cobb, 3 more out of Smith, Brown, FA, draft

That’s 24 + 3ST = 27, leaving 26 for D...

DL...10
LB...6 or 7
DB...9 or 10

Doomsday101 · Jan 28, 2020

Future said:
Jaylon was absolutely terrible. Tackle numbers are meaningless. Blake Martinez had 155

And? Tackles are not meaningless it is kind of what defensive players do. As I said I want to see more for Jaylon and the entire defense but he was absolutely terrible I don't agree with at all.

Future · Jan 28, 2020

Doomsday101 said:
And? Tackles are not meaningless it is kind of what defensive players do. As I said I want to see more for Jaylon and the entire defense but he was absolutely terrible I don't agree with at all.

Total tackles is probably the worst, least meaningful stat in the NFL.

Jaylon was terrible last year. Blake Martinez is terrible. You don't have to be a good player to rack up a lot of tackles.

Doomsday101 · Jan 28, 2020

Future said:
Total tackles is probably the worst, least meaningful stat in the NFL.

Jaylon was terrible last year. Blake Martinez is terrible. You don't have to be a good player to rack up a lot of tackles.

It is the worst meaningless stat yet the league seems to think different but what the hell do they know. I love it any stat that does not fit the narrative is dismissed as meaningless. I'm not stating he played great but he did not play absolutely poorly. Yeah a lot of bad players rake up a lot of tackles? Get out here with that non sense.

McKDaddy · Jan 28, 2020

Future said:
I'm curious to see if Dorrance Armstrong makes a jump. A lot of passrushers do in year 3. He has flashed a handful of times, and could be a more effective piece next year.

I was thinking the same thing. Especially if we are playing more hybrid defensive line schemes. Don't know that he will ever be a top end guy but think he has the potential to be a disruptive player.

John813 · Jan 28, 2020

Hard to say at this point where FA/draft could knock some young guy off the roster.

Guys to watch for would be: McGovern at LG, Gifford-if he can stay healthy, Wilson (FS/SS), Westry(CB/S?), Joe Johnson(DE).

Think at this point though the first three names should get real chances at playing time next year. Maybe Johnson too depending on how FA/draft falls.

erod · Jan 28, 2020

I have a bad feeling about next year's defense. I expect it to be horrid.

jazzcat22 · Jan 28, 2020

erod said:
I have a bad feeling about next year's defense. I expect it to be horrid.

It can't be any worse.

conner01 · Jan 28, 2020

erod said:
I have a bad feeling about next year's defense. I expect it to be horrid.

We have to add a bunch of talent to be good
And that’s always tough to add productive talent

Future · Jan 28, 2020

Doomsday101 said:
It is the worst meaningless stat yet the league seems to think different but what the hell do they know. I love it any stat that does not fit the narrative is dismissed as meaningless. I'm not stating he played great but he did not play absolutely poorly. Yeah a lot of bad players rake up a lot of tackles? Get out here with that non sense.

Yes, bad players rack up tackles. Blake Martinez and Jaylon Smith are exhibits 1a and 1b.

The league doesn't care about it either.

Doomsday101 · Jan 28, 2020

Future said:
Yes, bad players rack up tackles. Blake Martinez and Jaylon Smith are exhibits 1a and 1b.

The league doesn't care about it either.

and yet made Pro Bowl as well. lol I expect more but this non sense he was terrible is a load of crap. You have your views fine.

jazzcat22 · Jan 28, 2020

Future said:
Yes, bad players rack up tackles. Blake Martinez and Jaylon Smith are exhibits 1a and 1b.

The league doesn't care about it either.

Is Martinez really all that bad or just you saying he is?
Jaylon did not have a great year as he had in 2018, but he was not as horrible as many say.

So by your standards if any LB has a high volume of tackles, they suck.
To me if a LB has a high volume of tackles, the DL is not doing their job. Just as if a S has a high volume of tackles, the LB's aren't doing their job.
Since Jaylon had a higher volume then does that truly means he sucks?

it is football 101

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2019.htm

Look at the defensive stats and tell me Jaylon was not doing at least a decent job for the crap of a scheme they put him in.
This defense was different than last season for some unknown reason in the schemes. They tried to be too cute with too many stunts and this versatility crap.

Future · Jan 28, 2020

Doomsday101 said:
and yet made Pro Bowl as well. lol I expect more but this non sense he was terrible is a load of crap. You have your views fine.

The Pro Bowl is also meaningless...especially for alternates.

I mean Jordan Hicks had more tackles and INTs than Jaylon. He's not in over Jaylon b/c tackles don't matter and the Pro Bowl isn't a reflection of who is good, just who is notable.

Future · Jan 28, 2020

jazzcat22 said:
Is Martinez really all that bad or just you saying he is?
Jaylon did not have a great year as he had in 2018, but he was not as horrible as many say.

So by your standards if any LB has a high volume of tackles, they suck.
To me if a LB has a high volume of tackles, the DL is not doing their job. Just as if a S has a high volume of tackles, the LB's aren't doing their job.
Since Jaylon had a higher volume then does that truly means he sucks?

it is football 101

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/2019.htm

Look at the defensive stats and tell me Jaylon was not doing at least a decent job for the crap of a scheme they put him in.
This defense was different than las season for some unknown reason in the schemes. They tried to be too cute with too many stunts and this versatility crap.

He is TERRIBLE. Go watch the 49ers game. Similar problems to Jaylon, constantly in the wrong gap, can't disengage from a block, OK tackler.

No, having a high volume of tackles does not mean they're bad. It just doesn't mean they're good. Just like passing yards doesn't mean a QB is good.

What current player will step up and contribute?

McKDaddy

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Future

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