Jaylon burst was so good today I think he is Will LB

[LocimusPrime]

reasonable
how often do we play base D and how often in nickel?

Excellent question. I think they will ease him into the games like 10 total snaps for each of the first 3 games

 

[waldoputty]

Excellent question. I think they will ease him into the games like 10 total snaps for each of the first 3 games

if i remember correctly, we are in nickel more than base?
in which case, we get jaylon and lee in there anyway?

 

[Chuck 54]

Seriously?

I don't care how Jalen Smith looks in training camp. The Cowboys aren't going to take Lee, after an All Pro season at WLB, and move him to MLB so Jalen can play Will. Who comes up with this stuff?

Jalen was drafted to play MLB and replace McClain. My best guess is IF Smith is actually looking like a starting LB when September gets here, he will play SAM to get his feet wet. Lee and Hitchins will still be the starters at MLB and WLB. If Smith's coverage looks superior, he may replace Hitchins at MLB on passing downs. Let's not rush the Smith ERA. If he starts to play like a star LB in preseason, then we can consider him starting at MLB, but there's no reason to even consider moving Lee, who is our best playmaker.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Jaylon looks bigger than he did at ND. He looks much better equipped to take on blocks. He looks close to 250 to me.

To be able to run like that is elite.

Anywho the coaches can adjust the zone assignments to take advantage of both Lee and Smith's range. They should not pigeonhole themselves.

 

[Setackin]

I was completely caught off guard by Jaylon Smith burst today. Vastly different from his previous practice in pads. Dallas should have internal discussions about Jaylon at Will and Lee back to MLB. I need Jaylon flying around and not getting caught up in trash in middle. Very positive day for Jaylon.

If I'm not mistaken Lee was moved to Will to protect him from injury. For that reason I'd say keep Lee their.

And u actin like Lee is slow or something lol in college he was one of the fastest LBs coming out. Even with his injuries he's still go speed.

 

[big dog cowboy]

how often do we play base D and how often in nickel?

30-70

 

[LocimusPrime]

Wouldn't it be awesome if your base defense could handle everyone's spread offense.

 

[Wood]

I'm confused. First, he can't lift his foot; but I see him lifting his foot. Then, he's limping yet he's running full speed. He's not suppose to be ready for the season opener, yet he looks like he's ready to start with the first team. I don't know what to believe.
I'm tired of analyzing him. I'm just going to sit back and ride this one out.

That why I said I was surprised. Now I don't know yet how he handles shedding blocks but at very least I see he still has explosiveness and that's why Will might be better for him.

 

[Risen Star]

I stand by my original prediction for Jaylon Smith.

Amputation and a lifetime of mockery.

 

[sideon]

Jaylon is a MLB.

 

[Macnalty]

IMO coming out of ND Smith was a prototype will linebacker unable to shake some of the heavies in front of him but could cover and get to the outside like few I have ever witnessed. He gets tangled up easily in the middle. I am in agreement that you keep Sean Lee in the will lb spot till he starts to show his age. Middle linebacker should of been Foster with our 28th pick if we felt we had a need and he checked out mentally and physically.

 

[Future]

Where Smith and Lee are going to make a real impact when they're on the field together is in the nickel - which we're in, what, half the time? We get too fixated on the two of them together in the 4-3. The reality is that Hitchens is a real good player at MLB and, unless they're going to change how they use the SAM, Smith's talent would be kind of wasted there, though he could be good at it.

It's the nickel where we're going to really feel the presence of 50 and 54 on the field at the same time, and that's where the focus should be for now.

And, FWIW, Lee might be the best LB in football. You don't move him.

 

[Proof]

I stand by my original prediction for Jaylon Smith.

Amputation and a lifetime of mockery.

Shut the front door

 

[TNCowboy]

Makes no sense to move Lee.

Ideally, both will eventually be in our nickel, and hopefully it gets to the point you can let Lee take plays off in the dime. He's too valuable to just move to MLB, especially given his injury concerns. Our entire D has been jags except for Lee when he's healthy. Nothing should be done to disrupt that.

Jalen will be fine at MLB if he is indeed ready to go.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

This has been a point of discussion for me and @ABQCOWBOY since he was drafted. IMO Jaylon is a weakside LBer through and through. He has all the tools that could make him an elite player at that position, assuming he eventually makes a full recovery. But more importantly, when I studied him the year he was drafted, he has a hard time shedding. If you let him take on guards and centers all day he is going to get eaten up IMO. He needs to be able to roam free and flow to the ball to be the elite player he can be. I think you can play him in the middle, but you need to invest more in a very good 1 Tech to help protect him. With our current philosophy we do not value the 1 tech position, which kinda leaves Jaylon SOL. Lee has proven to me that he must play the weakside spot to stay healthy and effective for us.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

This has been a point of discussion for me and @ABQCOWBOY since he was drafted. IMO Jaylon is a weakside LBer through and through. He has all the tools that could make him an elite player at that position, assuming he eventually makes a full recovery. But more importantly, when I studied him the year he was drafted, he has a hard time shedding. If you let him take on guards and centers all day he is going to get eaten up IMO. He needs to be able to roam free and flow to the ball to be the elite player he can be. I think you can play him in the middle, but you need to invest more in a very good 1 Tech to help protect him. With our current philosophy we do not value the 1 tech position, which kinda leaves Jaylon SOL. Lee has proven to me that he must play the weakside spot to stay healthy and effective for us.

Jr. are you really his junior?

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Jr. are you really his junior?

Indeed I am.

 

[lostar2009]

I'm confused. First, he can't lift his foot; but I see him lifting his foot. Then, he's limping yet he's running full speed. He's not suppose to be ready for the season opener, yet he looks like he's ready to start with the first team. I don't know what to believe.
I'm tired of analyzing him. I'm just going to sit back and ride this one out.

Its called sand bagging.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Jr. are you really his junior?

LOL......

I love this board.

 

[tyke1doe]

LOL......

I love this board.

Me too. We have some funny guys/gals around these parts.