Damien Wilson

[Stash]

I think some of you are confused. He has to beat out Hitchens. Meaning he has to actually match the athleticism with production. Hitchens is solid and won't get benched for a guy who only performs solid in the preseason.

You're saying things like this while calling anyone else "confused"? Really?

Somehow, a highly-decirated, top 5 college talent has to "beat out" a backup role player who wouldn't have even seen the field if Rolando McClain actually liked football. And he has to somehow get "production" that he somehow can't get "in the preseason"?

Think first, then type.

Jaylon isn't starting unless he is clearly the better player. Just my opinion. And I personally don't think he will show that by week 1.

Hitchens will be lucky is Nzeocha doesn't beat him out for his spot, much less being any sort of impediment for Jaylon Smith. The only thing that could stop Smith is drop foot. Anthony Hitchens is a total non factor.

 

[Stash]

I tend to think they are going to be cautious with him in camp and possibly early in the season. Psychologically it might make sense to ease him in and let him get confidence in his knee back. It's not uncommon for a player to be thrown back into the mix after a serious injury and struggle a bit getting acclimated and confidence back in being able to play like he once did.

It's been over a year of running and cutting already with the brace on. There's no hesitancy or doubt about the knee at this point.

I had a relative play D1 basketball and he tore his knee up. He said it took him a good month of game action for him to finally trust himself, his knee and basically stop thinking about it and just play.

How long was that after injury? Did he had a year and a half of running, cutting, and training in between like Smith has?

 

[Stash]

And during that time, if Hitchens wants to get paid next year I suspect we'll see a Jason Hatcher, Terrell McClain type of scenario. I'm a big believer in the contract year (shrugs). He isn't giving Jaylon his spot, he'll have to earn it every play

There's nothing Hitchens can say or do about it.

 

[stilltheguru88]

There's nothing Hitchens can say or do about it.

Lol it's stasheroo right? (Gets out notepad). We're done here until September sir

 

[Stash]

Lol it's stasheroo right? (Gets out notepad). We're done here until September sir

OK, that's fine with me. Just make sure to do the same thing if and when Smith is starting and not hiding. I have no problem in being wrong, happens all the time, just act the same way if it turns out I'm right.

 

[Maxmadden]

A healthy Jaylon has a floor that begins about where Hitchen's ceiling ends. The only way For Jaylon to improve is to play early and often.

Hitchen's is what he is, a good back up LB.

 

[Sydla]

How long was that after injury? Did he had a year and a half of running, cutting, and training in between like Smith has?

12 months rehab through a college training program.

You can find numerous examples of guys coming off serious injuries that struggle a bit to get their legs under them when they first come back. I believe Scandrick himself admitted that for a bit he really didn't feel right out there coming off knee surgery himself.

I think you underestimate how tough it can be for guys coming off major injuries to just jump back into real game action and play like they were never injured in the first place.

So yes, I could see the Cowboys easing him back in initially. It's not an uncommon practice for sports programs to do that. And no, this doesn't mean I think Hitchens could be better to start the year. There's little chance Hitchens is better.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Lee is a pro bowl linebacker.

Hitchens and Wilson are jags at this point. Hitchens might not return next year if he doesn't perform well

• Anthony Hitchens - 3 seasons 220 tackles 3.5 sacks 1 ints
• Wilson - 2 seasons 49 tackles .5 sacks 0 ints

Jaylon has yet to play a game, but I'm cautiously optimistic that he will perform. I hope I'm wrong about Hitchens and Wilson and they become solid starters.

 

[CWR]

No. Dallas will give Hitchens plenty of playing time in his contract year. Smith will be brought along slowly unless he comes out of the gate how he was hyped to be.

Nothing against Hitchens but even a 75% Jaylon will likely be better. Id be suprised is he isnt a day one starter. Of course if its an issue of being safe post injury thats a different story.

 

[Bullflop]

You really don't think Jaylon will start?

Wow, the doubters can doubt 'til the sky changes its color . . . the kind of spirit that Jaylon has is one that simply won't be denied.

I certainly wouldn't bet against him for fear of making the biggest jackass possible of myself. He's a fighter if there ever was one.

The naysayers can say nay but what will they say whenever Jaylon proves himself against all odds that conspire to thwart him?

 

[JoeKing]

Everyone one listen up and stop being stupid. The Cowboys LB corps is going to light it up in 2017. Plugging holes and just causing havoc on the opponents run game. They will force offences to pass the ball and when that happens we will either win because we have a viable pass rush and secondary or we will get shredded because we don't. That's why this draft is so important to our coming season. We need a pass rush to protect our secondary and we need a secondary that can't defend the pass when the pass rush let's one through. It's this symbiotic relationship that the pass rush and secondary have that will make or break our season. But please understand it all starts with the LB corps and D-line dictating to offenses that the run game is a "no go".

 

[NotForLong]

Everyone one listen up and stop being stupid. The Cowboys LB corps is going to light it up in 2017. Plugging holes and just causing havoc on the opponents run game. They will force offences to pass the ball and when that happens we will either win because we have a viable pass rush and secondary or we will get shredded because we don't. That's why this draft is so important to our coming season. We need a pass rush to protect our secondary and we need a secondary that can't defend the pass when the pass rush let's one through. It's this symbiotic relationship that the pass rush and secondary have that will make or break our season. But please understand it all starts with the LB corps and D-line dictating to offenses that the run game is a "no go".

If you want a Lb crew wrecking havic, then we need Malik McDowell

 

[JoeKing]

If you want a Lb crew wrecking havic, then we need Malik McDowell

Nope, we don't need anymore bodies at LB. Malik McDowell would be a great add but he's not a need.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Gerald Hodges is a free agent linebacker. 26 years old and had 83 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 ints last year.

He's the kind of free agent linebacker we need to bring in to replace Durant.

 

[Denim Chicken]

So what happened to Durant, he retire?

 

[JoeKing]

So what happened to Durant, he retire?

He's still out there getting no offers from other teams. The FO has his digits if they should ever need him but don't hold your breath.

 

[LocimusPrime]

So what happened to Durant, he retire?

He's a free agent. The bills are looking at him right now. He isn't bad. I like him
http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffa...backer_justin_durant_on_free_agent_visit.html

 

[JoeKing]

Gerald Hodges is a free agent linebacker. 26 years old and had 83 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 ints last year.

He's the kind of free agent linebacker we need to bring in to replace Durant.

Durant was replaced by Jaylon Smith on the active roster. We don't have a LB need on this team.

 

[LocimusPrime]

https://thelandryhat.com/2017/04/19/dallas-cowboys-linebacker-group-disappointment/

 

[LocimusPrime]

Durant was replaced by Jaylon Smith on the active roster. We don't have a LB need on this team.

I see your point, but I'm thinking worse case scenario. Jaylon is at 75% and is serviceable his first year ( but not great) and Lee gets hurt. I really don't trust Hitchens, Wilson, and nacho.