Position LB

[Rockport]

Need I dare say a position of strength? If the scheme was the issue with Jaylon and LVE then this will most definitely be a position of strength. Parsons by himself will prevent some of those 3rd and long that teams have been converting on us for years.


Francis Bernard 53 LB 6-1 230 26 2 Utah

Jabril Cox 48 LB 6-3 233 23 R LSU

Luke Gifford 57 LB 6-3 243 25 3 Nebraska

Azur Kamara 43 LB 6-4 235 22 2 Kansas

Keanu Neal 42 LB 72 211 25 6 Florida

Micah Parsons 11 LB 6-3 245 21 R Penn State

Jaylon Smith 54 LB 6-2 245 25 5 Notre Dame

Leighton Vander Esch 55 LB 6-4 256 24 4 Boise State

 

[baltcowboy]

Need I dare say a position of strength? If the scheme was the issue with Jaylon and LVE then this will most definitely be a position of strength. Parsons by himself will prevent some of those 3rd and long that teams have been converting on us for years.


Francis Bernard 53 LB 6-1 230 26 2 Utah

Jabril Cox 48 LB 6-3 233 23 R LSU

Luke Gifford 57 LB 6-3 243 25 3 Nebraska

Azur Kamara 43 LB 6-4 235 22 2 Kansas

Keanu Neal 42 LB 72 211 25 6 Florida

Micah Parsons 11 LB 6-3 245 21 R Penn State

Jaylon Smith 54 LB 6-2 245 25 5 Notre Dame

Leighton Vander Esch 55 LB 6-4 256 24 4 Boise State

We could have the best linebacker core in the league by seasons end. We just need to rotate the guys and keep them fresh. I would like to see a rotation of LVE/Parsons followed by Neal/Cox. Jaylon can play the Sam and we can keep him moving forward. Plenty of snaps for the guys to keep them happy and healthy.

 

[jazzcat22]

What looked like a very weak group before the draft, has become much better. Not sure If I say a position of strength. But sure could become one.
I still think Jaylon and LVE will be fine. This year will be a make or break year for both of them though. I understand the concerns some have, but think many are overblown.

 

[Risen Star]

Nobody breaks down positions like you, bro.

 

[DanA]

It should be a strength, we’ve got three pro-bowlers and a top 15 pick plus a 4th rounder. They all had their issues (except Parsons) but surely a few of them can find some form.

 

[cowboyec]

strong group.
can't wait to watch our young nittnay lion.
hopefully Van Jaylon finds their rhythm again.
excited about Neal and Cox.
gonna be a fun pre-season.

 

[Rockport]

strong group.
can't wait to watch our young nittnay lion.
hopefully Van Jaylon finds their rhythm again.
excited about Neal and Cox.
gonna be a fun pre-season.

Competition is going to be fierce. Jaylon needs to take that mink coat off and get his *** to work.

 

[jazzcat22]

Competition is going to be fierce. Jaylon needs to take that mink coat off and get his *** to work.

He needs to rededicate himself.
To me he looked fat and slow last year at times.
I know he is not fat, but at times he looked bigger. And looked slower than usual.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

A mix of weights and heights and speed.
1) I don’t think LVE at 256 pounds can cover a RB and a lot of TEs. At that weight I don’t think he can blitz with speed either. Not fast enough to avoid OL and not heavy enough to take on OL. Body not tough enough to handle hits. He looks like a LB/DE tweener. Excelling in neither.
2) Jaylon is listed at 245. Same weight as Parsons is listed. Jaylon looks like he is lumbering around out there whereas Parsons looks fluid and on turbocharge. I think Jaylon weighs more than 245 and Parsons less than 245. Jaylon has the same tweener problem as LVE. Not quick enough to cover or blitz and not heavy or tough enough to take on OL.
3) Don’t know how Neal at 211 pounds will do at LB. Will he play like Woodson and Jamal Adams near the LOS. Can he stay healthy and take the pounding?
4) Cox and Parsons are the better combination of speed and weight for today’s NFL.
4) Texas A&M FA LB Hines looks like he has some jets. Looking forward to seeing him play in camp.
5) I prefer LBs in the 230-245 pound range with speed who know their roles and responsibilities and can tackle soundly. Seems like LVE and Jaylon are square pegs that just won’t go in that round hole. That is why I want both gone.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We could have the best linebacker core in the league by seasons end. We just need to rotate the guys and keep them fresh. I would like to see a rotation of LVE/Parsons followed by Neal/Cox. Jaylon can play the Sam and we can keep him moving forward. Plenty of snaps for the guys to keep them happy and healthy.

that would depend on LVE and Jaylon Smith and I won't hold my breath.....I think Jaylon is a run stopping 2 down LB at this point. he showed a lack of acceleration and limited change of direction ability/agility. he can pick a hole and attack it and stop the run. he is a liability in coverage. a big big liability. LVE obviously has health issues. when healthy he does well. good in coverage. sideline to sideline. but will he play 16 games.

 

[Rockport]

He needs to rededicate himself.
To me he looked fat and slow last year at times.
I know he is not fat, but at times he looked bigger. And looked slower than usual.

The entire defense looked that way because of Nolans defense.

 

[baltcowboy]

Competition is going to be fierce. Jaylon needs to take that mink coat off and get his *** to work.

You have to admit Jaylon is one of the best looking athletes on the team. I always will wonder if something happened between him and Amber (Cowboys Break) because she seems to hate him. He does have style and grace off the field. Jerrah has made him a rich business man.

 

[baltcowboy]

He needs to rededicate himself.
To me he looked fat and slow last year at times.
I know he is not fat, but at times he looked bigger. And looked slower than usual.

I think the drop foot has regressed. The Cowboys staff will never admit that though. I was watching some games from 2018 and he was fast. The last two seasons he just got slower and slower. I actually feel sorry for him because Parsons is going to expose him. The guy is a freak athlete for a middle linebacker.

 

[Ranched]

Can't stand that egotistical, overpaid, "Watch The Film", Big Mouth, Jaylon.

 

[Mr_437]

I think the drop foot has regressed. The Cowboys staff will never admit that though. I was watching some games from 2018 and he was fast. The last two seasons he just got slower and slower. I actually feel sorry for him because Parsons is going to expose him. The guy is a freak athlete for a middle linebacker.

Interesting... the regression makes sense, man I hope dude can bounce back.

I'm just glad the group is even being considered a strength by anyone.

 

[Beaker42]

We could have the best linebacker core in the league by seasons end. We just need to rotate the guys and keep them fresh. I would like to see a rotation of LVE/Parsons followed by Neal/Cox. Jaylon can play the Sam and we can keep him moving forward. Plenty of snaps for the guys to keep them happy and healthy.

We’ll see. As long as they play the right guys we should have one of the best groups.

 

[Vintage]

It should be a strength, we’ve got three pro-bowlers and a top 15 pick plus a 4th rounder. They all had their issues (except Parsons) but surely a few of them can find some form.

Three Pro Bowlers?

 

[DanA]

Three Pro Bowlers?

Keanu Neale 2018
Leighton Vander Esch 2018
Jaylon Smith 2019

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

You have to admit Jaylon is one of the best looking athletes on the team. I always will wonder if something happened between him and Amber (Cowboys Break) because she seems to hate him. He does have style and grace off the field. Jerrah has made him a rich business man.

So the Cowboys staff are lying (but won’t admit it) and Jaylon apparently had a secret relationship with Ambar....what other theories you got bro?

 

[J-man]

As usual, on paper, this unit (and team) look to be very talented and about to break out for a big turn around. But we have seen this so many times in the past. Even if they have a good season this year and win a playoff game or games, I will wait to see it again next year, playing against stiffer competition, before I declare them as a top rated unit in the league.

I will say that I really like the new additions and think they can really help improve this team, if used correctly.
I also think both Jaylon and LVE know that they are on thin ice around here and need to preform well or be released. And an athlete with his back against the wall usually gets hungry to prove himself, mainly for selfish financial reasons but non the less, I think they will both have bounce back years. Will it be enough to keep them around next year will be the question.

But honestly, I think this unit will only be as good as our defensive line allows them to be. If we can't stop the O-lineman from reaching our LB's cleanly, they, and we will be in trouble again.