Defensive ROTY?

[Direwolf63]

I was fine with the pick. I wanted to move up to take James.

But he has exceeded my expectations. Hopefully he will continue to improve.

 

[J12B]

Loved the LVE pick at the time and love it even more now so far. What I didn't love, was picking Dalton Schultz with pick 137 when we could of had Mo Hurst there.... I was sooo sure they were going to take him when he dropped that far...

Same here man, really wanted Hurst asnthe 4th round comp. But I would bet the front office felt they had depth at this position already.

He would have been great value at 137

 

[eastsideboy]

Loved the pick. Imagine him dominating the middle for at least the next decade.

Him and smith

 

[Chrispierce]

Never thought he would be in the running for the honors when they made the draft pick. I admit I was totally wrong about the guy..

https://www.profootballfocus.com/ne...t-out-for-defensive-rookie-of-the-year-honors

(Wasn’t sure if it was posted already or not)

Why? You just thought he was a flat bust? I wouldn’t feel too bad,to me he was either going to be really good or his game not translate well at this level. It wasn’t until Lee made some comments on his character and work ethic that I knew he would be really good. I don’t know all the other rookies,or what their doing around the league,but LVE looks like a seasoned pro already. I think we have the best 1-2 LB combo period in LVE and Smith now. Great guys,smart.and talented. You can’t beat that.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Never thought he would be in the running for the honors when they made the draft pick. I admit I was totally wrong about the guy..

https://www.profootballfocus.com/ne...t-out-for-defensive-rookie-of-the-year-honors

(Wasn’t sure if it was posted already or not)

He will definitely be a candidate if he keeps it up. Big driver is if we make the playoffs or not.

 

[Bullflop]

I'd say for defensive rookie of the year, LVE might very well be in the running, assuming he keeps it up.

As far as the most improved defensive player, if there even is one, Byron Jones would contend for that.

 

[Jeffkills]

Give it to Vander Esch...

I hope old man Sean doesn't steal too many reps from LVE.. I'd like to see him become the first rookie LB to lead the league in tackles..

 

[Captain-Crash]

Better than expected. Nothing but good wishes for this young man.

 

[Falco78]

I was kind of thinking well he might be okay in 3 years, but most likely another Barbie Carpenter. This young man has proved me wrong and has been a complete stud! In fact I will be ordering a jersey of his once Christmas shopping is done for the kiddos.

 

[JustChip]

if they stay between the lines...LvE will get'm.
55

Mighty high expectations there. But if LVE continues as he had, he can be in the Leroy Jordan conversation. I loved Leroy's intensity, a/k/a mean streak. LVE doesn't show that, but then in today's NFL, that would get him flagged and suspended. Can you imagine how many flags and suspensions Jack Tatum would get?

 

[jrumann59]

I'd love for someone to actually pull up a post draft thread and call-out all the posters that stridently crapped on the pick at the time.

You don't get to change your my mind if you were so ignorantly smug with your opinion originally.

There are a lot of posters here that guilty of this and not just about LVE.

 

[EST_1986]

I was told we didn't need a LB.

Who in the hell told you that?

 

[fansince68]

Did you notice that Maurice Hurst is 4th on the list? Imagine if we had swooped him up during his free fall during the draft.

 

[morasp]

Sadly he's largely being overlooked. NFL.com has a vote for the top week 7 rookie and he's not even mentioned.

http://www.nfl.com/voting/rookies/2018/REG/6

 

[Flamma]

I was hoping they picked an LB first round because of the "Lee injured syndrome" the Cowboys would undergo as a result. I also wasn't sure how far along Jaylon Smith would be. But both Smith and LVE are playing pretty good and our D isn't hot garbage without Lee. I don't remember the last time I saw that.

 

[conner01]

Ward will probably get it. He will probably have 6 or 7 ints, and those or sacks are what voters really like

Sacks trumps all
Interceptions probably next
Tackles comes up later

 

[CowboyMort]

Was not sold on him basically bc of his lack of football experience-- but I understood why they drafted him. His athletic measurables were off the charts and Lee's injury history made it a no brainer.

Nice to see that his athletic talent is already paying dividends on the field. I thought it might take him a year or two to develop-- but he's already contributing meaningful snaps. Great pick. Looking fwd to him and Jaylon dominating the middle of our defense for the next 10 years

I was the same way Hawkeye. I wasn't that crazy about the pick because he really didn't have multi year 1st round type success in college, but like it now. Thought he would take some time, but again was wrong.

 

[Virginia-Dave]

Sadly he's largely being overlooked. NFL.com has a vote for the top week 7 rookie and he's not even mentioned.

http://www.nfl.com/voting/rookies/2018/REG/6

He doesn't have the flashy stats needed to get in on that vote. If he has a game with a sack or two, or an int/fumble recovery to go along with his tackles, then you'll see his name pop up.

 

[TexasHillbilly]

I loved the pic but was not sure about his staying healthy. I knew he would be good. If he turns out to be great, that's even better.

 

[bsbellomy]

Basically saying LVE is having the best rookie year so far out of any linebacker in the past decade besides Bobby Wagner.

Top 5 in Run Defense and Pass Defense out of the 70 Qualifying other Off the Ball/Outside linebackers.

Don’t forget he only started getting a lot of playing time after week 2 when Sean Lee got hurt.

What good is a PFF grade if this is what it translates to?

"James’ 86.6 overall grade carries similar weight in history, as it ranks third among all safeties with 150-plus defensive snaps in the first six weeks of their rookie seasons, and it falls just behind John Johnson III and Eric Reid."