Cowboys Middle Linebacker

[Verdict]

Lee performed well as the middle linebacker. In fact he excelled. Jaylon seems to have the tools to be the middle linebacker, but I'm not sure he isnt better suited as on outside linebacker.

Let's forget Lee's brittle nature for a second and assume he is iron man and can't be injured at MLB. What do you think is the Most advantageous placement of Lee and Jaylon assuming both are 100 percent healthy and stay healthy? Would Lee, Jaylon and Hitchens be adequate starters if all healthy?

Personally I would love to see us put Lee and Jaylon on the outside and go get a beast inside linebacker who is in the Rolondo McClain mold who can fill the inside role who can pass protect and yet destroy a RB coming through the hole.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Personally I was impressed with the other linebacker not named Lee or Smith

 

[Sydla]

Yes, I agree.

If (and yes, that's a massive if) Smith continues to improve healthwise and gets some lateral movement back, I'd have no issue moving Lee back to MIKE and trying Smith at WILL.

But I'd also like to pair that LB change with a new coaching staff that would use their skill sets better than how Marinelli would likely use them going forward.

 

[Direwolf63]

I don't think we have a true MLB. Jaylon and Lee are both WILL's IMO. Hitchens is the best we have at MIKE, but we can get a lot better in the offseason. He's more of a SAM.

Not sure if Jaylon can play SAM, but I would put him out there with Lee at WILL and Hitchens at MIKE.

Don't like Jaylon at MIKE. He has major problems shedding blocks from centers and guards. Needs to be on the outside.

 

[visionary]

Lee performed well as the middle linebacker. In fact he excelled. Jaylon seems to have the tools to be the middle linebacker, but I'm not sure he isnt better suited as on outside linebacker.

Let's forget Lee's brittle nature for a second and assume he is iron man and can't be injured at MLB. What do you think is the Most advantageous placement of Lee and Jaylon assuming both are 100 percent healthy and stay healthy? Would Lee, Jaylon and Hitchens be adequate starters if all healthy?

Personally I would love to see us put Lee and Jaylon on the outside and go get a beast inside linebacker who is in the Rolondo McClain mold who can fill the inside role who can pass protect and yet destroy a RB coming through the hole.

Best positions for LBs?

Lee: MLB or WLB
Jaylon: sideline

 

[TwentyOne]

In Marinellis Defense the MLB needs to be a good coverage guy. Smith right now is not.

We dont need a thumper we need an agile MLB who has the ability to read plays and fill the right hole.

Hitchens excelled when playing MLB. Jalyon is not healthy. he needs at least another year. And whhats more the NFL game right now is too fast for him. I am anxios about next years FA. How we handle Hitchens new contract will show what we think about Jaylon.

 

[speedkilz88]

Sam is a dinosaur in this league. Rarely on the field. Jaylon is a perfect fit for Mike once he is healthy.

 

[Sydla]

In Marinellis Defense the MLB needs to be a good coverage guy. Smith right now is not.

We dont need a thumper we need an agile MLB who has the ability to read plays and fill the right hole.

That's not Hitchens either.

I am hoping part of the solution is that we just change the scheme in the offseason.

 

[TwentyOne]

That's not Hitchens either.

I am hoping part of the solution is that we just change the scheme in the offseason.

Of course he is. Hitchens excells at playing MLB. He disappered when playing other positions.

 

[Sydla]

Of course he is. Hitchens excells at playing MLB. He disappered when playing other positions.

LOL, excels.

He is not very good in coverage. He's limited athletically.

If this team is counting on Hitchens to be the MLB for their revamped defense, that's a mistake.

Hitchens might be one of the most overrated players for this fanbase. He's a nice backup, flexible LB that can play all three LB spots in a pinch. He's not a high quality starting MLB.

 

[HungryLion]

Hitchens is a good MLB. The team was 13-3 and the #1 rushing defense with him at MLB last season. That doesn’t happen with poor MLB play.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

My experience tells me to put Lee at the MIKE would be the best (provided Lee stays healthy). Reminds me of Kuechly's first season when he started at the WILL and Jon Beason was at the MIKE. The defense wasn't playing that well, but it wasn't because of Kuechly who was playing the WILL very well. But, once they switched him to the MIKE the defense progressed tremendously.

My belief is that it has to do with how offenses are designed these days. While the passing charts show a lot of throws out to the perimeter, the MIKE has to be able to effectively throw receivers off their route as they run drags and crossers over the middle while not getting caught up in the wash for the easy flare route to the TE or the back. Then they have to defend TE's up the seam and get proper depth against Y-receivers up the seam on on slants while not getting fooled. All the meanwhile they have to take on and avoid blockers to defend the run up the middle and out on the perimeter and be able to blitz effectively as well.

It's a big reason why I think the MIKE is one of the top-5 most important positions on the team (QB, Center, MIKE, FS and SS)...it not only requires athleticism, but you're asked to a lot more things than from other positions.





YR

 

[waving monkey]

Lee performed well as the middle linebacker. In fact he excelled. Jaylon seems to have the tools to be the middle linebacker, but I'm not sure he isnt better suited as on outside linebacker.

Let's forget Lee's brittle nature for a second and assume he is iron man and can't be injured at MLB. What do you think is the Most advantageous placement of Lee and Jaylon assuming both are 100 percent healthy and stay healthy? Would Lee, Jaylon and Hitchens be adequate starters if all healthy?

Personally I would love to see us put Lee and Jaylon on the outside and go get a beast inside linebacker who is in the Rolondo McClain mold who can fill the inside role who can pass protect and yet destroy a RB coming through the hole.

I like drafting mlb

 

[Yakuza Rich]

LOL, excels.

He is not very good in coverage. He's limited athletically.

If this team is counting on Hitchens to be the MLB for their revamped defense, that's a mistake.

Hitchens might be one of the most overrated players for this fanbase. He's a nice backup, flexible LB that can play all three LB spots in a pinch. He's not a high quality starting MLB.

I don't think Hitchen excels at the MIKE, but he's not limited athletically. He's got good speed for a linebacker. His issue in coverage when he plays the WILL is more about route recognition and technique. He has the speed and quickness for quality coverage.

He understands the MIKE position, but in coverage he has a so-so feel for the position.

I think he's a solid starter who has nice flexibility and can play special teams. I think we could do better, but he's a nice player to have on a team because he can start right away and doesn't noticeably hurt your team unless he is replacing a top-5 linebacker at their respective position.



YR

 

[Sydla]

Hitchens is a good MLB. The team was 13-3 and the #1 rushing defense with him at MLB last season. That doesn’t happen with poor MLB play.

Last year was an anomaly.

You absolutely can and should find a better MLB this offseason. If that means moving Lee to MIKE and finding a legit WILL, fine.

But this team is not winning a SB or being a legit threat to make the SB with Hitchens in the middle.

 

[Macnalty]

Sam is a dinosaur in this league. Rarely on the field. Jaylon is a perfect fit for Mike once he is healthy.

I do not see Jaylon as a perfect fit, would rather have someone else. Mostly it is the lack of ability to shed blockers and his mobility that paints a bulls-eye on his jersey.

 

[Chuck 54]

Lee performed well as the middle linebacker. In fact he excelled. Jaylon seems to have the tools to be the middle linebacker, but I'm not sure he isnt better suited as on outside linebacker.

Let's forget Lee's brittle nature for a second and assume he is iron man and can't be injured at MLB. What do you think is the Most advantageous placement of Lee and Jaylon assuming both are 100 percent healthy and stay healthy? Would Lee, Jaylon and Hitchens be adequate starters if all healthy?

Personally I would love to see us put Lee and Jaylon on the outside and go get a beast inside linebacker who is in the Rolondo McClain mold who can fill the inside role who can pass protect and yet destroy a RB coming through the hole.

Let me rephrase your question. Whom do you want to see trying to tackle or cover Chris Thompson on the outside this week vs. the Skins? LEE....I don't want to see him caught up inside.

 

[TwentyOne]

LOL, excels.

He is not very good in coverage. He's limited athletically.

If this team is counting on Hitchens to be the MLB for their revamped defense, that's a mistake.

Hitchens might be one of the most overrated players for this fanbase. He's a nice backup, flexible LB that can play all three LB spots in a pinch. He's not a high quality starting MLB.

I didnt say he is a high quality MLB. I said he excells at MLB. Its his best position. But just becasue he isnt great doesnt mean he is bad as you trying to put it. Black and white views arent right most of the time.

He is good in coverage and very good in filling wholes. He is good at analayzing plays. He is a good MLB. We could be batter at the position but i can live with him. He gets the job done.

This defense was #1 against the run last year. And it got good again against the 49ers. This is also because of Hitchens.

 

[Sydla]

I don't think Hitchen excels at the MIKE, but he's not limited athletically. He's got good speed for a linebacker. His issue in coverage when he plays the WILL is more about route recognition and technique. He has the speed and quickness for quality coverage.

He understands the MIKE position, but in coverage he has a so-so feel for the position.

I think he's a solid starter who has nice flexibility and can play special teams. I think we could do better, but he's a nice player to have on a team because he can start right away and doesn't noticeably hurt your team unless he is replacing a top-5 linebacker at their respective position.



YR

He does not have good speed for a LB. Watch him in that 49ers game and he struggled to keep up with backs out of the backfield, etc.

As I said, he's an important player to have on this team because he can play special teams and he's smart enough to play all 3 LB spots for us in a pinch when we need him. Guys like that are important.

But he's an average starting MLB in this league and I hope the Cowboys aren't deluding themselves into thinking he can man the MLB spot long term for them.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Sam is a dinosaur in this league. Rarely on the field. Jaylon is a perfect fit for Mike once he is healthy.

Exactly right. Teams more often would prefer an additional secondary player versus an additional lb.

Should Jayson regain his lateral agility he is our MIKE of the future. If not we'll look to add to the position to push and eventually replace Smith and Hitchens.

In any case LB will likely be a top 3 need next year.