Sturm on Jaylon Smith

[jnday]

I know everybody is probably tired of hearing this but honestly, this is why we need to bring in a quality 1Tech IMO. I mean, we do need more LB depth. Losing Hitchens was a big deal IMO. Drafting Jaylon and betting he would be an impact player was a huge risk. Lee is not getting younger and Wilson, a pick I loved BTW, is not getting it done. He should already be at the point of solidifying his role as a starter on this Defense and instead, he is screwing around with suspension etc. A better DL interior who could actually protect our LBs would be huge for this team. I know this may not fit the "more LBs" idea here, and believe me I do agree with the idea that we do need more talent at LB, but I just can't express how important it is to have quality DTs who can cover up your LBs, especially when you play undersized at the position. In todays game, you almost have to go undersized because you have to have LBs who can cover. That puts you at a disadvantage against the run. If you have to always send undersized LBs against Bigger OLs, then we are never going to have enough quality depth.

JMO

. It is easy for us fans to see the improvements that should be made. Marinelli is hurting the defense more than he helps. He does not place value of positions that are needed to improve the defense. His defensive scheme is outdated and he is too stubborn to adapt to the current changes needed in today's defenses. I never liked Kiffen or Marinelli from day one. They are too old and their defensive schemes are old as dirt. Dallas needs a smart , young defensive coach that can install a modern defense that in based on speed and play-making. I hate to see defensive players drafted in any round that has the pick based on what Marinelli wants. The next D.C. Will be stuck with players that fits an outdated scheme. I like the 4-3 defense, but I don't care for Marinelli's version of it. I hope he will retire soon.

 

[SoupcanSam]

Last year on this site if you said anything even romeotey critical of Jaylon Smith you were branded a hater.

Most overrated player on the team by a mile- and that is saying something with Byron Jones still on the roster.

How is he overrated? The fans were the ones hyping him, not the coaches or media. Of course his story was talked about here and there because of the injury he came back from but he definitey wasn't being hyped as the next best thing.

Anything said before his injury is a whole other situation.

 

[jterrell]

I’m excited to see what Smith can do but we still need a LB because of Lee age and health
Even if Smith can return to form we need a LB or two

The Cowboys have 10 picks.
It's hard to imagine a scenario where they end up with zero LBs.
But fans are way too eager to shove LB in at 19 when the team felt it covered itself with Joe Thomas who can actually play LB as opposed to Wilber whom they refused to put on the field when they were lining up tackling dummies.

Dallas is going to play more 2 LB sets with Kavon Frazier in the box as a pseudo LB IMHO so I'm not as certain the teams needs as many backers as most seem to think.

They absolutely need Damien Wilson and yes Jaylon Smith to improve this off-season.
But the defense was quite good to end last year. The offense was the issue.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Dallas is drafting 3 LB’s and bringing in a bunch of UDFA Lb’s. This FO is always one year behind.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Clickbait got clickity click.

The Cowboys need more than one LB and will draft at least two. Plus bring in a Justin Durant type late in the offseason to compete for a roster spot.

But Jaylon Smith will be a much better player next year with better health and more experience.

I hope so Kaiser as its looking like another busted project Jerry player at this point.....

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Hoping he gains trust in his knee and a year of experience shows on the field. He can tackle well. But I see us drafting one in the first. Maybe a immediate impact starter will fall to us.

Man I'm with you. There is literally nothing to dislike about this guy. This is strictly a, can he do the job thing. I really hope he comes around. That would help sooooo much!

 

[jterrell]

. It is easy for us fans to see the improvements that should be made. Marinelli is hurting the defense more than he helps. He does not place value of positions that are needed to improve the defense. His defensive scheme is outdated and he is too stubborn to adapt to the current changes needed in today's defenses. I never liked Kiffen or Marinelli from day one. They are too old and their defensive schemes are old as dirt. Dallas needs a smart , young defensive coach that can install a modern defense that in based on speed and play-making. I hate to see defensive players drafted in any round that has the pick based on what Marinelli wants. The next D.C. Will be stuck with players that fits an outdated scheme. I like the 4-3 defense, but I don't care for Marinelli's version of it. I hope he will retire soon.

This hasn't really been a Marinelli defense.
At all.
Rod cares about his DL and that's all he truly cares about.
Richard is here to define the coverages and schemes for that.
Eferblus before did a lot of scheming as well.

The hate on Rod stuff is goofy. He isn't Kiffen.
He doesn't value 1T. Yes, that's correct and about the only complaint that is genuine.
The rest is just like saying Jerry Jones drafts for us.....

 

[BlindFaith]

The Cowboys have 10 picks.
It's hard to imagine a scenario where they end up with zero LBs.
But fans are way too eager to shove LB in at 19 when the team felt it covered itself with Joe Thomas who can actually play LB as opposed to Wilber whom they refused to put on the field when they were lining up tackling dummies.

Dallas is going to play more 2 LB sets with Kavon Frazier in the box as a pseudo LB IMHO so I'm not as certain the teams needs as many backers as most seem to think.

They absolutely need Damien Wilson and yes Jaylon Smith to improve this off-season.
But the defense was quite good to end last year. The offense was the issue.

For me it's more about insurance vs a must need. And a long term solution to Lee.

If you can promise me Lee doesn't miss any time and Smith is even 90% back, then I'm OK waiting on LB.

But if Lee misses 3 or 4 games as he's apt to do and Smith is a bust, we are hurtin for certain. I have no idea what Thomas brings. And Wilson has largely under performed to this point.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It was just a quick exercise. Nothing scientific.

41 LBs with more combined tackles than Hitch.

20 of those with 100 or more tackles.

And no, I didn't go into passes Defended or breakups, or INTs.

But using my football eyes, Hitch was average and Jaylens statistics wise put up almost identical numbers.

Make of it what you will.

We see different things here. I saw Hitch making plays and taking on OLs, stacking, shedding and making plays in the middle. I did not see that from Jaylon. It's cool, we see different things.

 

[kumizi]

I have a feeling the people that believe in Jaylon Smith are the same people that believe in a lot of irrational things without any evidence. Not only is he not a stud but he should not even be on a roster based on performance. He still has to wear a brace to play football. It’s not going to get much better folks.

Been saying for months now that LB is by far the biggest need on the team and LVE is the big favorite for our 1st round pick.

 

[Blackspider214]

Jaylon Smith will go down as one of the worst picks this franchise ever made. Just a silly, asinine pick. He is a terrible football player and it goes beyond his injury. He has no idea what he is doing on the field.

LB has always been a huge need yet this team let Hitchens walk. A guy they drafted and improved every single season he was here. Good job front office. You now created a massive, gaping hole in an already needy position. But don't worry guys, this front office will go replace what we need in the draft and free agency!! We all can count on them to do that.

I don't know how anyone defended that pick. Could have easily has Jack. Yes he had an injury but not even close to what Jaylon was dealing with. Jack's was always going to heal and he would be fine. Jaylon will never be the same. We are in now year 3 and he's improved none.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The front office has been ignoring this wise counsel for how many years now?

I don't know, a lot of years I think. But then again, those guys ignore my calls to. They never respond to my emails or texts either. I might try sky writing next season.

 

[kumizi]

Clickbait got clickity click.

The Cowboys need more than one LB and will draft at least two. Plus bring in a Justin Durant type late in the offseason to compete for a roster spot.

But Jaylon Smith will be a much better player next year with better health and more experience.

Exhibit A

 

[kumizi]

If Jaylon gets no better than just a year of experience then he is still above average. We will see improvement this year from him.

Exhibit B

In what world is JS above average even if he doesn’t get better? Like my mind is completely blown by that belief.

 

[kumizi]

Exactly, his recovery hasn't gone as fast as expected but every indication is that he will continue to improve. And he had elite talent in college, if he gets back to 90% of that he is still an above average starter. 100% recovery and he will be a Pro Bowler.

That’s not how this works. If you were a pro bowl level player and had to amputate 10% of your leg, that doesn’t mean you could still be 90% as good as before.

His leg does not function like that of a healthy human being. Saying he can be 90% as good is being incredibly naive.

 

[Blackspider214]

Clickbait got clickity click.

The Cowboys need more than one LB and will draft at least two. Plus bring in a Justin Durant type late in the offseason to compete for a roster spot.

But Jaylon Smith will be a much better player next year with better health and more experience.

Lol. Yeah because this team drafts sooo well. We will draft some spares and bring in some guy no other team wants off the street Lets just fix the LB situation with duct tape and hope it stays together. Same motto we have for safety. The middle of this defense is putrid in all aspects.

Jaylon Smith is a terrible football player and we are now hoping that year 3, he is even 50% at best of the player he was in college. For a top of the 2nd round pick. Yay.

 

[jterrell]

For me it's more about insurance vs a must need. And a long term solution to Lee.

If you can promise me Lee doesn't miss any time and Smith is even 90% back, then I'm OK waiting on LB.

But if Lee misses 3 or 4 games as he's apt to do and Smith is a bust, we are hurtin for certain. I have no idea what Thomas brings. And Wilson has largely under performed to this point.

Dallas should draft without worrying about any of that.
But they also should have adequate LB depth come week 1.
You do that many ways including hoping value is there in the draft but the draft isn't there to solve THIS YEAR problems.
It's there to add the best talent to your roster.
Dallas to be open to 5-6 positions in round 1 for sure. But I'm fine with shading LB up in value.

Could they be back in on a guy like NBowman after the draft? Sure.
Could they trade a late pick in camp for a LB? Sure.
Could they pick up a vet cut because of salary in pre-season? Absolutely.

But if they have multiple injuries at any position to their best players they will struggle.
That's the NFL.
Lose Zeke and Rod Smith and we are really bad at RB.
Lose 2 QBs and we don't even have a 3rd guy.
Lose DLaw and DE is pretty ugly even tho DL might be our deepest position.
Lost Hurns plus Dez and you got TWill, Bease, Thompson... woof.
They have a lot of positions where you lose 2 guys and you are scrambling because most NFL rosters don't really go 3 deep.

 

[visionary]

I know everybody is probably tired of hearing this but honestly, this is why we need to bring in a quality 1Tech IMO. I mean, we do need more LB depth. Losing Hitchens was a big deal IMO. Drafting Jaylon and betting he would be an impact player was a huge risk. Lee is not getting younger and Wilson, a pick I loved BTW, is not getting it done. He should already be at the point of solidifying his role as a starter on this Defense and instead, he is screwing around with suspension etc. A better DL interior who could actually protect our LBs would be huge for this team. I know this may not fit the "more LBs" idea here, and believe me I do agree with the idea that we do need more talent at LB, but I just can't express how important it is to have quality DTs who can cover up your LBs, especially when you play undersized at the position. In todays game, you almost have to go undersized because you have to have LBs who can cover. That puts you at a disadvantage against the run. If you have to always send undersized LBs against Bigger OLs, then we are never going to have enough quality depth.

JMO

This x100

 

[jterrell]

Lol. Yeah because this team drafts sooo well. We will draft some spares and bring in some guy no other team wants off the street Lets just fix the LB situation with duct tape and hope it stays together. Same motto we have for safety. The middle of this defense is putrid in all aspects.

Jaylon Smith is a terrible football player and we are now hoping that year 3, he is even 50% at best of the player he was in college. For a top of the 2nd round pick. Yay.

The Cowboys are a top 5 drafting team.
You are dumb. Yay!

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Completely agree which is why I’ve said Linebacker is far and away the biggest need.

Yup, I think LB is a MUST at 19, as well as double dipping there. Give me Evans or LVE at 19 and Warner in round 4. Possibly even another one in round 6 or 7 wouldn't bother me a bit. We NEED to fix our linebacking core. How do you expect to have a top defense with a subpar at best LB? If we want our defense to go from meh to one of the best, then LB must be addressed. The secondary will take care of itself once our dline and lb cores are fixed.