Quick hits on Jaylon Smith

[Galian Beast]

I make a topic similar to this year in and year out. We aren't scouts. Some of us watch college football, some of us don't. But in large part we all largely base our opinions on the words of media pundits and mock drafters who also aren't NFL scouts. We fall in love with players and the deeper the draft goes the more clueless we are.

We were told time after time that Myles Jack was the best linebacker in the draft and that he could be the next Ray Lewis. We didn't hear nearly as much about Jaylon Smith because of his medical issues and how severe people thought it was. What people are we listening to there? Who knows best about this knee? The doctor who performed the surgery, who is our top physician. The Cowboys know more about this kid than any team in the league to a degree, and they must feel comfortable about it to take the risk there.

Here are some positive things about Jaylon Smith that might get you more excited that you might not have seen because of the cloud of negativity surrounding him. He is the 2015 College Football Butkus Award Winner. That's a big deal. It should be noted that he beat out Myles Jack for this award.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-netwo...mith-is-talented-enough-to-be-a-top-five-pick

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000518631/article/cfbtop20-no-3-jaylon-smith-lb-notre-dame

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2015/7/5/8859603/2016-linebacker-preview

Before their injuries, I don't think many people would have suggested that Jack was better than Smith all around. You further move in favor of Smith too if your doctor suggests that he will recover versus Jack whose condition is degenerative.

 

[locked&loaded]

This guys nerve is asleep? put my nerve to bed

 

[DCBoysfan]

Thanks for posting, I wasn't crazy about the pick when it happen but he is growing on me. He is an impressive player.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I make a topic similar to this year in and year out. We aren't scouts. Some of us watch college football, some of us don't. But in large part we all largely base our opinions on the words of media pundits and mock drafters who also aren't NFL scouts. We fall in love with players and the deeper the draft goes the more clueless we are.

We were told time after time that Myles Jack was the best linebacker in the draft and that he could be the next Ray Lewis. We didn't hear nearly as much about Jaylon Smith because of his medical issues and how severe people thought it was. What people are we listening to there? Who knows best about this knee? The doctor who performed the surgery, who is our top physician. The Cowboys know more about this kid than any team in the league to a degree, and they must feel comfortable about it to take the risk there.

Here are some positive things about Jaylon Smith that might get you more excited that you might not have seen because of the cloud of negativity surrounding him. He is the 2015 College Football Butkus Award Winner. That's a big deal. It should be noted that he beat out Myles Jack for this award.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-netwo...mith-is-talented-enough-to-be-a-top-five-pick

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000518631/article/cfbtop20-no-3-jaylon-smith-lb-notre-dame

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2015/7/5/8859603/2016-linebacker-preview

Before their injuries, I don't think many people would have suggested that Jack was better than Smith all around. You further move in favor of Smith too if your doctor suggests that he will recover versus Jack whose condition is degenerative.

Respectfully, I do not view it this way. Our first pick was a win now pick. And the right move with Romo's window closing. The second pick should've been Jack. Like Leary, he would have played out his first contract at an elite level and given us the best chance of winning the division this year (when we have a ridiculously easy schedule) and go far into the playoffs. Plus, I don't care what anyone says, but there is no guarantee that the nerve completely regenerates or that the player has as much confidence in his knee as before (see Marcus Lattimore). As much as I like the player, it was the wrong move. Too much risk for a team with so many glaring holes. I hope I am wrong. Time will tell.

 

[Galian Beast]

Respectfully, I do not view it this way. Our first pick was a win now pick. And the right move with Romo's window closing. The second pick should've been Jack. Like Leary, he would have played out his first contract at an elite level and given us the best chance of winning the division this year (when we have a ridiculously easy schedule) and go far into the playoffs. Plus, I don't care what anyone says, but there is no guarantee that the nerve completely regenerates or that the player has as much confidence in his knee as before (see Marcus Lattimore). As much as I like the player, it was the wrong move. Too much risk for a team with so many glaring holes. I hope I am wrong. Time will tell.

He knows and understands the risk better? You who are simply repeating what you've read online and heard on tv from people who themselves don't know much about the injury or the recovery or the team and the team doctor who did the surgery and is his physician on the matter?

You should think about that and step back for a moment to realize that clearly the team is in ideal position to make this choice.

Second, Myles Jacks' knee could go at anytime. It is a ticking time bomb. Smith's injury is a concern but not because it is a long term worry either the nerve grows back or it doesn't. It isn't a ticking time bomb. If you feel like the most likely scenario is full nerve growth, then you take the pick for a top 5 player. Who is the best person to make that call? The doctor who performs the surgery and monitors the recovery. Even a doctor who is familiar with the type of injury but hasn't been involved with this, has no idea what the prognosis is.

And again, the consensus before both their injuries was that Smith was better than Jack.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

He knows and understands the risk better? You who are simply repeating what you've read online and heard on tv from people who themselves don't know much about the injury or the recovery or the team and the team doctor who did the surgery and is his physician on the matter?

You should think about that and step back for a moment to realize that clearly the team is in ideal position to make this choice.

Second, Myles Jacks' knee could go at anytime. It is a ticking time bomb. Smith's injury is a concern but not because it is a long term worry either the nerve grows back or it doesn't. It isn't a ticking time bomb. If you feel like the most likely scenario is full nerve growth, then you take the pick for a top 5 player. Who is the best person to make that call? The doctor who performs the surgery and monitors the recovery. Even a doctor who is familiar with the type of injury but hasn't been involved with this, has no idea what the prognosis is.

And again, the consensus before both their injuries was that Smith was better than Jack.

Leary's knee -- with 300 pounds weighing on it -- was a "ticking time bomb" that caused a consensus 3rd rounder not to get drafted. Yet, he's played without incident for 4 years. By all accounts, Jack is running and cutting full speed (as his pro day shows). At 34, I would have taken him and bet on 5 years of pro bowl level play before the knee degenerates. To me, the difference is: Jack did not have a catastrophic injury to his knee, Smith did. Jack can play today, Smith cannot. Jack can has shown at his pro day that he can play at the same level he did, we won't know until next year if Smith can ever play at same level.

 

[Galian Beast]

Leary's knee -- with 300 pounds weighing on it -- was a "ticking time bomb" that caused a consensus 3rd rounder not to get drafted. Yet, he's played without incident for 4 years. By all accounts, Jack is running and cutting full speed (as his pro day shows). At 34, I would have taken him and bet on 5 years of pro bowl level play before the knee degenerates. To me, the difference is: Jack did not have a catastrophic injury to his knee, Smith did. Jack can play today, Smith cannot. Jack can has shown at his pro day that he can play at the same level he did, we won't know until next year if Smith can ever play at same level.

Does Leary's knee have to support more weight? Absolutely. How often does Leary have to do quick cuts though? Not often. Also Leary has been kept out because of injury concerns and that knee before too. Also you make the mistake of suggesting that Leary's knee is exactly the same as Jack's.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Does Leary's knee have to support more weight? Absolutely. How often does Leary have to do quick cuts though? Not often. Also Leary has been kept out because of injury concerns and that knee before too. Also you make the mistake of suggesting that Leary's knee is exactly the same as Jack's.

Obviously it's not a perfect comparison and neither of us are doctors. But Jack's knee is structurally sound and IMO cutting is not going to make it worse. It's just that the cartilage is degenerative and he may have to have micro fracture surgery in the future. Just like they said about Leary. Right now, Jack is healthy enough to start the season and play. How many years he's got before micro fracture is the issue. I would have taken the chance at 34 because we are in a "win now" mode IMO.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Jack as much as I liked him, was a degenerative injury risk that appears to be the opposite with the better LB in Smith, who admittedly I thought he was in a knee brace and struggling with the nerve injury that could effect his football life forever from day 1.


Today he is working out and feels the ability to overcome and play this year, it's a miracle pick for Dallas. Two miracle picks - Zeke is Romos' guardian Angel.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Respectfully, I do not view it this way. Our first pick was a win now pick. And the right move with Romo's window closing. The second pick should've been Jack. Like Leary, he would have played out his first contract at an elite level and given us the best chance of winning the division this year (when we have a ridiculously easy schedule) and go far into the playoffs. Plus, I don't care what anyone says, but there is no guarantee that the nerve completely regenerates or that the player has as much confidence in his knee as before (see Marcus Lattimore). As much as I like the player, it was the wrong move. Too much risk for a team with so many glaring holes. I hope I am wrong. Time will tell.

How can you say it was the wrong move -- but then say time will tell. Lol, too many people are criticizing the pick without letting it pan out. If he becomes our Ray Lewis for the next decade then what?

 

[EMMITTnROY]

I honestly wish we could have got them both.

Draft Jack at 34 and then do whatever you can to move back into second round and get Jaylon too.

That said, I think Jaylon will be the better player and have the better career.