Jaylon Smith Change of Direction Analysis

[Verdict]

This thread is created to discuss the recent twitter video recently posted. It shows Jaylon running a drill which shows his change of direction.

This video, together with his sprint video also posted recently are a good sign. He does not appear to have any real limitations but according to the article posting the video things are alleged to still not be 100 percent.

To the doctors on this forum, what is your analysis of this video. To those of you who want to complain about discussing this issue do us all a favor and don't post here to complain about this discussion. Go ***** about it in the rant zone.

 

[waldoputty]

This thread is created to discuss the recent twitter video recently posted. It shows Jaylon running a drill which shows his change of direction.

This video, together with his sprint video also posted recently are a good sign. He does not appear to have any real limitations but according to the article posting the video things are alleged to still not be 100 percent.

To the doctors on this forum, what is your analysis of this video. To those of you who want to complain about discussing this issue do us all a favor and don't post here to complain about this discussion. Go ***** about it in the rant zone.

Not a doctor. Would be curious myself. Cannot tell from looking at his drills. doc50 mentioned something before but dont quite remember...

 

[AsthmaField]

This thread is created to discuss the recent twitter video recently posted. It shows Jaylon running a drill which shows his change of direction.

This video, together with his sprint video also posted recently are a good sign. He does not appear to have any real limitations but according to the article posting the video things are alleged to still not be 100 percent.

To the doctors on this forum, what is your analysis of this video. To those of you who want to complain about discussing this issue do us all a favor and don't post here to complain about this discussion. Go ***** about it in the rant zone.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind hearing a doctor's opinion on the video. He does seem to be moving well but if he's still wearing the brace (which I think he is), then the nerve hasn't completely healed up yet... meaning he's not 100%.

He looks good enough to play with the brace but the reality is, we really don't know how well he'd play with the brace if he still hasn't reached 100% by the start of the season. I certainly think he can run and hit as is. The problem would be taking on blocks and trying to get off blocks (IMO).

I also think he might have some problems with rushing the QB with the sharp cuts he'd have to make like when an edge rusher has to flatten to the QB. I think he'd be better off playing Mike and blitzing through the A gap where he'd just have a pretty straight shot to the QB and will probably just have to run through a RB or TE to get home.

That is pure speculation on my part, and I'm no doctor... but it just seems like he'd need to be kept pretty clean and just run to the ball unless he's back to normal.

Make no mistake though... this guy is super, super athletic and can do things normal guys can't. His athleticism is just unreal.

Just my two cents.

EDIT: And I agree about the people who want to complain about this conversation. Just don't take part if you don't want to discuss it.

 

[Bullflop]

To me, it looks like we may be well into TC before we see convincing evidence whether Jaylon Smith is sufficiently back or not. Even then, there might be some questions that arise about the extent of his recovery. If he gets back to 85 or 90% of what he was, we might very well not be overly inclined to be dissatisfied with his performance. Apparently, he's getting his speed back, so the cutting aspect is likely to be the main focus of our attention during TC. I'm just hoping he's able to fully participate there before it's halfway over.

 

[gmoney112]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind hearing a doctor's opinion on the video. He does seem to be moving well but if he's still wearing the brace (which I think he is), then the nerve hasn't completely healed up yet... meaning he's not 100%.

He looks good enough to play with the brace but the reality is, we really don't know how well he'd play with the brace if he still hasn't reached 100% by the start of the season. I certainly think he can run and hit as is. The problem would be taking on blocks and trying to get off blocks (IMO).

I also think he might have some problems with rushing the QB with the sharp cuts he'd have to make like when an edge rusher has to flatten to the QB. I think he'd be better off playing Mike and blitzing through the A gap where he'd just have a pretty straight shot to the QB and will probably just have to run through a RB or TE to get home.

That is pure speculation on my part, and I'm no doctor... but it just seems like he'd need to be kept pretty clean and just run to the ball unless he's back to normal.

Make no mistake though... this guy is super, super athletic and can do things normal guys can't. His athleticism is just unreal.

Just my two cents.

EDIT: And I agree about the people who want to complain about this conversation. Just don't take part if you don't want to discuss it.

My buddy is a Dr. (PT, i always use the Hangover line "Yeah, but you're not a real doctor. You're just a PT"), he said it's basically up to how well he can drive with the brace. Lateral mobility and backpedaling shouldn't be an issue. It's the fact that he doesn't have control of his calf, and it's one of, if not the strongest muscle in the body (can't remember which he said).

Main issue is going to be driving on the ball, short passes etc. It's just impossible to tell how well he'd play with the brace. Obviously not nearly as well as he would without. This is the same guy that called Dez' injury to the week, even before it was "official". Haha, we watch games sometimes, and he saw the injury and then he just said it out loud without me even asking.

It's not exact obviously if you didn't do the original diagnosis, but he knows his stuff. He laughed when we made the pick, didn't think he'd ever play again, but he conceded that Dr. Cooper is a leader in the field and prob knows best.

 

[DandyDon52]

I think it is not smart to assume he will automatically be a stellar LB in NFL if he heals up.
Even had he not been injured , he might not be as good as some would think, or he might be.
It takes more than just physical talent to be a great NFL LB ??

I will wait and see how he plays whenever he does get on the field.
Drafting him was a gamble, and time consuming, they should have got another defensive guy who
could have helped in the GB game lol you know this year.

This guy may never heal up 100%, and may not be able to be any good at all until 2018 season.
If they got him in round 6 or 7 it would be ok, but not in higher rounds.

Would you buy a racehorse that was limping for millions??
The owner says well he has a torn nerve, just needs to heal up lol.

 

[IrishAnto]

It looks good in a controlled environment.

On the field he’s going to get pushed/pulled from all directions with guys flying every which way with little or no warning.

The acid test will be how he holds up in that environment.

 

[phildadon86]

I think it is not smart to assume he will automatically be a stellar LB in NFL if he heals up.
Even had he not been injured , he might not be as good as some would think, or he might be.
It takes more than just physical talent to be a great NFL LB ??

I will wait and see how he plays whenever he does get on the field.
Drafting him was a gamble, and time consuming, they should have got another defensive guy who
could have helped in the GB game lol you know this year.

This guy may never heal up 100%, and may not be able to be any good at all until 2018 season.
If they got him in round 6 or 7 it would be ok, but not in higher rounds.

Would you buy a racehorse that was limping for millions??
The owner says well he has a torn nerve, just needs to heal up lol.

If that horse is Secretariat then yes I would

 

[DandyDon52]

If that horse is Secretariat then yes I would

Yeah but would you before he won any big races??
Jaylon is totally unproved in the NFL, many college stars dont do as good in NFL.
That is my point, he has to prove or show he can be a star in NFL, while at same time recover from his injury, and not playing
for now a year, maybe longer.
In the NFL he will be facing far superior talent to what he faced in college, where he was superior to the guys he faced.
First he has to heal up, or will they play him with a brace?
Then he has to get in top condition, which I know he is working on that even now.
Then he has to adjust to NFL and get used to a faster more complex game.
Then maybe he becomes a star, but it will take time, I dont think he can be a instant impact player.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

I think it is not smart to assume he will automatically be a stellar LB in NFL if he heals up.
Even had he not been injured , he might not be as good as some would think, or he might be.
It takes more than just physical talent to be a great NFL LB ??

I will wait and see how he plays whenever he does get on the field.
Drafting him was a gamble, and time consuming, they should have got another defensive guy who
could have helped in the GB game lol you know this year.

This guy may never heal up 100%, and may not be able to be any good at all until 2018 season.
If they got him in round 6 or 7 it would be ok, but not in higher rounds.

Would you buy a racehorse that was limping for millions??
The owner says well he has a torn nerve, just needs to heal up lol.

I'll take his positive outlook and go from there than with our can/can't he stuff. Only thing we can go by.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

This thread is created to discuss the recent twitter video recently posted. It shows Jaylon running a drill which shows his change of direction.

This video, together with his sprint video also posted recently are a good sign. He does not appear to have any real limitations but according to the article posting the video things are alleged to still not be 100 percent.

To the doctors on this forum, what is your analysis of this video. To those of you who want to complain about discussing this issue do us all a favor and don't post here to complain about this discussion. Go ***** about it in the rant zone.

I kind of had to chuckle that you asked the "doctors" on this forum for their analysis.
Anyone that's been here for a given amount of time knows that here at Cowboyszone, we are all doctors, we are all NFL scouts, we are all NFL coaches, we are all NFL officials, we are all NFL commissioners, we are all lawyers, we are all NFL players and we are all NFL owners.

 

[DandyDon52]

I'll take his positive outlook and go from there than with our can/can't he stuff. Only thing we can go by.

well how much did he make in 2016 as 2nd round pick?
it is to his benefit to be ultra positive, big money involved.
And he may be rkg and trying hard, staying in best shape he can and studying playbook etc.
That is all good, just better to not have high expectations for him in 2017.

 

[Cowboys22]

Look, if he has to play with the brace, forget it. He will never be the same player. That would mean the nerve didn't heal and refire. If that is the case, I'm sure he will give it a good go but I wouldn't expect he'd be anything more than average or even slightly below average. You just can't be an elite football player in the NFL if you only have control of 1 1/2 of your legs. He'll be a warrior and make a few plays but will likely be a step late way too often to be an effective player. What he needs is to fully heal. If he doesn't, then the only talk of Jaylon Smith two years from now will be about how we wasted another 2nd round pick.

 

[rwalters31]

This thread is created to discuss the recent twitter video recently posted. It shows Jaylon running a drill which shows his change of direction.

This video, together with his sprint video also posted recently are a good sign. He does not appear to have any real limitations but according to the article posting the video things are alleged to still not be 100 percent.

To the doctors on this forum, what is your analysis of this video. To those of you who want to complain about discussing this issue do us all a favor and don't post here to complain about this discussion. Go ***** about it in the rant zone.

I only saw the sprint video and I saw him running flat footed. It would be nice to see what his 40 time is now compared to his college time. By the way you mentioned the change of direction but did not reference the URL for the video.

 

[superonyx]

I was someone that was ok with this draft pick. I still may be once it's all said and done.
But...this long after the injury and he still isn't fully recovered is starting to worry me. I believe the NFL draft is a giant gamble for the most part. So finding a great LB regardless of injury is a tough thing to do. My fear with Jaylon Smith is that he has never played the game having to think about his leg. Everyone is fast, everyone is strong ect..guys who don't ever play in the NFL look good running drills. He has an uphill battle. Not just transitioning from college to the NFL but doing it with a year of laying around rehabbing your leg. It will be something in his mind when playing for a long time...I hope that doesn't distract his in game focus because this sport and league is loaded with exceptional athletes.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

well how much did he make in 2016 as 2nd round pick?
it is to his benefit to be ultra positive, big money involved.
And he may be rkg and trying hard, staying in best shape he can and studying playbook etc.
That is all good, just better to not have high expectations for him in 2017.

Right.... Party on Wayne.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/829132931780206592

 

[WoodysGirl]

 

[DogFace]

Yeah but would you before he won any big races??
Jaylon is totally unproved in the NFL, many college stars dont do as good in NFL.
That is my point, he has to prove or show he can be a star in NFL, while at same time recover from his injury, and not playing
for now a year, maybe longer.
In the NFL he will be facing far superior talent to what he faced in college, where he was superior to the guys he faced.
First he has to heal up, or will they play him with a brace?
Then he has to get in top condition, which I know he is working on that even now.
Then he has to adjust to NFL and get used to a faster more complex game.
Then maybe he becomes a star, but it will take time, I dont think he can be a instant impact player.

My wife's family are BIG notre dame fans. They also watched Jaylon play in high school. From all I can gather and I believe the Cowboys came to the same conclusion, this guy is a generational type player. Athletically, intellectually, and his hard work and deternination put him on another level from others. --imo.

I guess we'll see soon enough.

 

[waving monkey]

I see progress. His cuts aren't real sharp but that will become tighter as he progresses.
Very hopeful.