Start Jaylon? Replacing Hitchens

[mattjames2010]

Daryl Washington is still out there

He's retiring.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

My prediction is that they will platoon Durant and Jaylon. There are only around 65 snaps a game to go around. Start off splitting snaps and then go from there.

 

[diefree666]

I agree that playing any LB more than 30 snaps or so is pushing it in todays NFL. Especially on passing plays. I am not worried about Smith's endurance; what else has he been working on?

 

[Texas_Pete]

No way. would make a great story but the team needs a competent mlb. Hitchens played with seemingly every group.

Dallas has a number of picks next year and I think they need to dip into one from the 4th to the 7th for a young veteran who doesnt fit a scheme somewhere or for a veteran who can play a lot of snaps and knows the system. I have no idea who that would be at the moment but I can't imagine they roll into the season with what they have. Nzochea and durant should both make the roster as of tonight but the team has to go out and get a better player than nzochea and a more durable player than durant.

This is a big loss.

Agreed - good post.

With teams being able to carry 90 players much longer before they have to cut down to 53, I'm certain that there are several young options out there for us to sign a MIKE after roster cut down time. Teams with historically great LBs are the ones I'm sure McClay is watching such as the Ravens, for example.

As much as I want to throw Jaylon in the fire, we really need to ease him into the fold. I think the plan was to start Hitch all year as Jaylon gets acclimated to NFL level of play and get back to 100% health. Then next TC, make our starting MIKE position available for competition. Well, with Hitch out they need to go to plan B and quick. I trust McClay's eye for talent and Jerry's wallet - in the event an opportunity presents itself to go get a player that can help us.

 

[Pants]

Maybe Tony comes out of retirement and plays MLB? I am quite SURE that he now meets the weight requirement

 

[MrMom]

My prediction is that they will platoon Durant and Jaylon. There are only around 65 snaps a game to go around. Start off splitting snaps and then go from there.

That's what I see happening as well. Jaylon is probably our most adept guy at taking on run fits and clogging running lanes. Which is amazing giving that was his weakness in college, but the size he put on has definitely helped him. I see Jaylon playing running downs and Durant in on passing downs. I still bring in another LB because I don't like the way Nzeocha has tackled this preseason.

 

[The Natural]

Looking through FA only names of interest is D'Qwell Jackson. Perry Riley's a ******* cheap scumbag so if you're cool rooting for those types then ok

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I wouldn't mind looking for a veteran to pickup off the waiver wire.

I feel in today's NFL that there are 5 key positions to examine on a team. QB, Center, MIKE and both safety spots. Feel good there and you may not win the Super Bowl, but you're going to be a very tough team to beat. Those are positions with a lot of different and important responsibilities.

Up until last night, I was only a little leery on Heath because I really liked Hitchens' improvement and felt that Jaylon could spell him nicely as the year went along.




YR

 

[Hawkeye19]

My prediction is that they will platoon Durant and Jaylon. There are only around 65 snaps a game to go around. Start off splitting snaps and then go from there.

+1

Just about to post the same thing actually. Jaylon looks ready for more snaps and splitting with Durant will protect both players from injury down the line and preserve them for the long run (hopefully).

I am concerned more about depth behind Lee actually. Hitch could play every position-- and now we are one snap away from Nacho playing significant snaps. Wilber/Wilson can manage the SAM position, but IMO, we need a quality vet LBer for depth behind Sean in particular.

 

[jazzcat22]

My prediction is that they will platoon Durant and Jaylon. There are only around 65 snaps a game to go around. Start off splitting snaps and then go from there.

Stephen jones said last night before the game, if it was up to Jaylon, he would be out there all game long. but they will stick to. their plan. Try to double his snaps from the week before, and stay with the plan.

now with Hitchens injury, I bet they don't play him as much against the Texans. May try to stay to around the 20 snaps at most. This is just my wild guess. Then as you say, split snaps in regulate season games. Maybe even not an equal split. Maybe 40 to 25 or 35 to 30, at most, and something in between until slowly Jaylon gets more than the 30 then more than 35 and so on.

 

[jlust22]

I would think they would rotate Durant and Jaylon at the Mike but they are going to be in nickel 70% of the snaps anyway so I'm not sure Wilson isn't a better option than those 2 as the 2nd backer next to Lee. Of course, we don't know Wilson's status with regard to being suspended at some point this season, but I think he's a pretty good player. He doesn't get that many snaps since he plays the SAM but he clearly has position flex. He's pretty fast and athletic.

Losing Hitchens will definitely hurt though. He's a very solid player. Durant is older and injury prone as well. Jaylon is a huge unknown. The depth is a major issue. I was already very concerned about the defense and Hitchens loss just adds to it.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Not too many names out there in terms of free agency at this point. Wondering if there are any restricted free agent LBers worth pursuing? After that-- is there a viable trading partner out there? We could trade from strength and help a team looking for WR or RB depth in particular (Butler/Andy Jones and Morris come to mind as guys that have looked decent this preseason)

 

[Idgit]

We need another LB who can give us snaps at MIKE, and we need an OT who can stay in the lineup. It's worth dipping into the extra picks or flipping a TE for if we can find a partner.

 

[diefree666]

We need another LB who can give us snaps at MIKE, and we need an OT who can stay in the lineup. It's worth dipping into the extra picks or flipping a TE for if we can find a partner.

getting a decent OT will cost. I think the boys stick with what they have.

 

[Screw The Hall]

It might behoove the team to be patient until the massive cut down to 53. There are going to be a lot of available bodies to look at then.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

It might behoove the team to be patient until the massive cut down to 53. There are going to be a lot of available bodies to look at then.

We all get ourselves worked up over how many QB's we are going to keep or what positions we are going to go long at and where we will have to make cuts. Yet every year, it almost always happens that someone gets hurt and suddenly you are keeping a few guys you never expected to.

With Hitchens going out for what looks like might be the season, another LB is going to get a chance. Same thing with Duke Thomas. If he is out for a while it saves a spot for all the young corners. Thomas had been playing well enough to at least make himself a tough cut.

 

[visionary]

No way. would make a great story but the team needs a competent mlb. Hitchens played with seemingly every group.

Dallas has a number of picks next year and I think they need to dip into one from the 4th to the 7th for a young veteran who doesnt fit a scheme somewhere or for a veteran who can play a lot of snaps and knows the system. I have no idea who that would be at the moment but I can't imagine they roll into the season with what they have. Nzochea and durant should both make the roster as of tonight but the team has to go out and get a better player than nzochea and a more durable player than durant.

This is a big loss.

This
People WAY underrate how important MIKE is
We need at minimum an above average competent MIKE who can be relied on, otherwise we will see Lee moved back and get hurt again

 

[TrailBlazer]

Myles Jack was there for the taking.

 

[Bleu Star]

With Hitchens out at MIKE the team needs to figure out who replaces him. Here are the candidates:

Durant: Veteran experience but has not played since he was activated this past week.
Nzeocha: Athletic and proficient in coverage but misses tackles like JJ Wilcox circa 2015.
Wilson: Already the starting SAM, he struggles carrying RB and TE in space.
Smith: Needs to square up more consistently on pursuit outside but athleticism and range stands out.
Jones: Raw and misses reads. Struggles taking on blocks. Excellent athlete with exceptional coverage range. Solid tackler and pursuer. Have been hiding him. Likely to be on PS.

I am of the mind that you might as well start the Smith era now. He will take time to fully adjust and need to be rotated early but I suspect by the time October is winding down he will start making plays consistently.

I expect that they start Durant and rotate the other guys in. Curious to see how many LB they keep now.

It's J Train time.

 

[Rockdoc]

i agree we will find a LB, but with wilson, durant and smith. it not the end of the world