Parson and Neal as starting LBs

[quickccc]

Could Keanu Neal end up being part of a starting LB duo with Parson ?

There's some small talk among local media types here about a possibility of Parson and Neal being as starting duo ,
I didn’t think about that with Neal (as a starter) as an undersized 212 pounder, converted, safety turn LB
and also one that is just beginning to learn to play OLB on a full time basis..

But with the way Neal has played thus in preseason, it may bears some watching.

That rip strip for a fumble vs Arizona is exactly what we needed to see from our LBs, much less our entire defense. Neal also was the key tackler on a key 3rd down and short stop at the line.

Also I admit that i couldn’t see a healthy LVE Not being in the starting lineup, with his size, mobility. and experience.

But can Neal change the dynamics of the starting LB lineup ? Keep an eye on this one.

 

[RonnieT24]

There is no way in hell we would want to have a rookie and and 215 pound guy who has been playing safety for the last 5 years as our starting linebackers. So that's gonna be a hard NO for me. Whatever talking head proposed it is looking for ratings.

 

[JBS]

This is your starting LB duo. That’s already done.

 

[jazzcat22]

I will wait to see how they line up against TB.
Not concerned with who starts or not. As I think they all will get playing time in different packages. But not as to tip off the offense of what the defense will do.

Will see a combination of different LB's on the field for the same coverage possibly.
All just a guess on my part, but it is the way I see it for now.

Parsons, Neal, LVE, and yes, even Jaylon. Jaylon until Cox takes over if he does not return to 2018 form. Which he has not shown yet.
However, can Cox show that much in the next 2 PS games to take over for Jaylon soon?

 

[speedkilz88]

They are the nickel LBs and a lot of times teams start out with 3 wr sets. Most snaps in a game as well.

 

[Doomsday101]

I will let Neal and Parson play speak for itself.

 

[speedkilz88]

There is no way in hell we would want to have a rookie and and 215 pound guy who has been playing safety for the last 5 years as our starting linebackers. So that's gonna be a hard NO for me. Whatever talking head proposed it is looking for ratings.

Everyone says that Neal has reshaped his body and looks like a LB.

 

[Jake]

"Starting" on defense doesn't mean what it used to. Teams use multiple offenses and defenses. Who "starts" that day will often depend on the match up.

 

[DoctorChicken]

Parsons/Neal/LVE

Get your three most talented on the field.

 

[Cowboyny]

Could Keanu Neal end up being part of a starting LB duo with Parson ?

There's some small talk among local media types here about a possibility of Parson and Neal being as starting duo ,
I didn’t think about that with Neal (as a starter) as an undersized 212 pounder, converted, safety turn LB
and also one that is just beginning to learn to play OLB on a full time basis..

But with the way Neal has played thus in preseason, it may bears some watching.

That rip strip for a fumble vs Arizona is exactly what we needed to see from our LBs, much less our entire defense. Neal also was the key tackler on a key 3rd down and short stop at the line.

Also I admit that i couldn’t see a healthy LVE Not being in the starting lineup, with his size, mobility. and experience.

But can Neal change the dynamics of the starting LB lineup ? Keep an eye on this one.

I think Parsons will be used in many different spots, do however believe Lve is ahead of Neal in the pecking order. Think we are going to see those two in coverage, where Parsons becomes more of an edge rusher against the pass. Question is, where does Jaylon fit this yr, as we know he is on borrowed time.

 

[Risen Star]

They are our two best LBs in coverage so they should play the most.

 

[JoeKing]

No, LVE will be one of the starter LB'ers. Parsons could be the other.

 

[John813]

I think they will be rotated in and out based off performance, matchups, +/- of each player etc...
And then as the season moves on then we could see guys staying on the field longer.

 

[CouchCoach]

I like what Parcells said about starters. That depends on the guy across the field. If TB comes out 4 wide, what's the Cowboys lineup going to be?

Used to be, the incentives in contracts were about starting, now it is about number of plays.

When Parson was a freshman, he started one game, yet he set the Penn State record for tackles by a freshman.

From what I saw of him at Penn State, I think we're going to like him a lot. He's the kind of player that makes the most out of the plays he has.

Neal? Not sure about that at his size but it's all about tackling. This defense this year is going to be all about tackling to Quinn.

Neal might be that player that exemplifies that saying "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog".

 

[RonnieT24]

Everyone says that Neal has reshaped his body and looks like a LB.

I have heard all the same stories.. Only I remember Neal from college and ATL.. he has always looked like a linebacker.. Or as Parcells put it.. "a biscuit shy of a linebacker.." Beside that it's as much about lack of experience playing the position as it is his size. Maybe by week 9 or 10 but definitely not to start out.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I think Parsons will be used in many different spots, do however believe Lve is ahead of Neal in the pecking order. Think we are going to see those two in coverage, where Parsons becomes more of an edge rusher against the pass. Question is, where does Jaylon fit this yr, as we know he is on borrowed time.

Broaddus was saying the other day, he could Jaylon snap count reduced from 90%+ last year to 30-40% range this year. That's a hell of a drop, especially for a player making $7M+

 

[TwoCentPlain]

A LB without speed today is a humongous liability. LBs need to cover RBs and TEs in man coverage. A lot of these TEs and RBs are close to WRs.

Imagine Jaylon isolated on Pitts or Kamara. Instant disaster if it is a pass play.

 

[speedkilz88]

I have heard all the same stories.. Only I remember Neal from college and ATL.. he has always looked like a linebacker.. Or as Parcells put it.. "a biscuit shy of a linebacker.." Beside that it's as much about lack of experience playing the position as it is his size. Maybe by week 9 or 10 but definitely not to start out.

Quinn said he's been playing the same position all along they just called him a safety instead of a LB in Atlanta.

 

[DuncanIso]

Dallas isn't going to bench LVE and/or Jaylon.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Its funny because I don't think people even know what the base defense will even look like. I've seen some include 3 linebackers i've seen some include 2.......

If I had to guess i'd say to start the season off it would be Micah, Jaylon and LVE.....Neal in on passing downs. I don't expect Cox to get much playing time this year.