The key is Jaylon Smith

[ultron]

Statistically Jaylon Smith had the same season as Luke Kuechley last year (google it if you don’t believe me). One might say, “well Luke Kuechley retired” - that would be true but they tied for 5th best linebacker in the NFL based on stats and SI.com ranked Luke Kuechley as the #1 linebacker in the league last year (https://www.si.com/.amp/nfl/2019/05...hly-wagner-leonard-vander-esch-mosley-podcast)

However, watching these games and listening to Cowboy’s fans opinions on him, you’d think he was a back up LB at best. So why is there such a wide gap between the numbers on paper and the eye ball test?

I’m not quite sure, but if he can play like he did in the 2nd half of the Giants game, this defense might actually have a glimmer of hope. It would also be nice to get some production out of anyone not named Aldon smith on the DLine (DLaw had a really good game vs. the Giants - which was a pleasant surprise). It’s nice that our secondary is getting healthy so we can actually hold teams to under 40 points; literally. But I really think this defense needs Jaylon Smith to play like that guy he was at Notre Dame and that guy that has shown has flashes of ‘greatness’ in him.

 

[MysteryIceGuro]

His high level of play might have to do with the fact that we played the Giants, who are amongst the worst when it comes to offense in the NFL. They scored, on average, 12 points a game this season and we allowed 27 (Im not counting Dak’s pick). It’s kinda of weird how all of a sudden, every defensive player did well on Sunday, innit?

only time will tell.

 

[HungryLion]

If the key really is Jaylon Smith



we are boned

 

[Sydla]

This is the danger of just looking at stats. It doesn't tell the full story. It's the same logic jagbones around here used to try to claim Jalen Ramsey wasn't going to be a good CB coming out of college because he didn't have the interception totals.

Smith was good in 2018. He was not good in 2019, regardless of the stats. You watch the tape and he was misreading plays, he was overrunning plays, he was trying to dance around blockers often taking himself out of a play, he was struggling in coverage, etc.

He has struggled at times this year as well. He had a good game against the Giants. Where we go from here? Who knows. You'd like to hope we start to see more of the 2018 Smith, but its also quite possible we see the 2019 Smith, a guy who put up hollow numbers IMO.

 

[Jack Burton]

His high level of play might have to do with the fact that we played the Giants, who are amongst the worst when it comes to offense in the NFL. They scored, on average, 12 points a game this season and we allowed 27 (Im not counting Dak’s pick). It’s kinda of weird how all of a sudden, every defensive player did well on Sunday, innit?

only time will tell.

I don't think he started the game all that well, but it seemed like once he went into attack mode, instead of react mode, he did a lot better. I thought he did a great job breaking up several screen passes. I've dogged the guy a lot, but he made some good plays last Sunday. It's kind of nice typing that, as opposed to what I usually say about him.

 

[Proof]

stats will tell you jameis was better than A rod. I'm a big jaylon smith fan, but not matter what the box score says, he's not on kuechly's level

 

[RS12]

The key is the DLine. Gotta be a whole lot better or the back 7 doesn't matter.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

stats will tell you jameis was better than A rod. I'm a big jaylon smith fan, but not matter what the box score says, he's not on kuechly's level

This, big difference in the 2. Numbers would say Romo was better than Roger and Troy.

 

[Nemesis4u]

romo was a better quarterback then troy. troy himself admitted romo was better.

 

[Captain-Crash]

if the guy would start using his legs instead of jumping on the guys back for free rides he would be better. oh well

 

[Dreski]

I think the defense took a step in the right direction, but consistency is key

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

romo was a better quarterback then troy. troy himself admitted romo was better.

Came to PO Troy was pin point passing.

 

[CWR]

Statistically Jaylon Smith had the same season as Luke Kuechley last year (google it if you don’t believe me). One might say, “well Luke Kuechley retired” - that would be true but they tied for 5th best linebacker in the NFL based on stats and SI.com ranked Luke Kuechley as the #1 linebacker in the league last year (https://www.si.com/.amp/nfl/2019/05...hly-wagner-leonard-vander-esch-mosley-podcast)

However, watching these games and listening to Cowboy’s fans opinions on him, you’d think he was a back up LB at best. So why is there such a wide gap between the numbers on paper and the eye ball test?

I’m not quite sure, but if he can play like he did in the 2nd half of the Giants game, this defense might actually have a glimmer of hope. It would also be nice to get some production out of anyone not named Aldon smith on the DLine (DLaw had a really good game vs. the Giants - which was a pleasant surprise). It’s nice that our secondary is getting healthy so we can actually hold teams to under 40 points; literally. But I really think this defense needs Jaylon Smith to play like that guy he was at Notre Dame and that guy that has shown has flashes of ‘greatness’ in him.

If Jaylon and Dlaw can play like the players they are paid to be then everyone else on the defense goes up a notch. When LVE and Lee come back we may be cooking with gas.

 

[Kaiser]

However, watching these games and listening to Cowboy’s fans opinions on him, you’d think he was a back up LB at best. So why is there such a wide gap between the numbers on paper and the eye ball test?

The wide gap in acumen here?

Jaylon has made more mistakes this year but everyone on this defense has had trouble transitioning to a new, more complicated defense without a preseason. He was more hesitant before but also had to cover for teammates assignments and cover more group with LVE out.

Then there are small group of haters that claim he was always trash.

 

[Kaiser]

If Jaylon and Dlaw can play like the players they are paid to be then everyone else on the defense goes up a notch. When LVE and Lee come back we may be cooking with gas.

But DLaw has always been active against the run and pass even if the numbers didn't show up in the box score. Last year he only had 5 sacks but he had the most pressures by far of anyone with that number. He also had 3 or 4 plays where he got to the QB a half step behind Quinn. This year he has still be solid against the run but IMO his splits were totally different in the 3-4 sets than in the 4-3 sets he is used to.

 

[CWR]

But DLaw has always been active against the run and pass even if the numbers didn't show up in the box score. Last year he only had 5 sacks but he had the most pressures by far of anyone with that number. He also had 3 or 4 plays where he got to the QB a half step behind Quinn. This year he has still be solid against the run but IMO his splits were totally different in the 3-4 sets than in the 4-3 sets he is used to.

He just need to close more. Almost is helpful but we paid him to be prolific and that's what this defense needs.

 

[SSoup]

What statistical metrics say those linebackers had the same seasons?

 

[xwalker]

Statistically Jaylon Smith had the same season as Luke Kuechley last year (google it if you don’t believe me). One might say, “well Luke Kuechley retired” - that would be true but they tied for 5th best linebacker in the NFL based on stats and SI.com ranked Luke Kuechley as the #1 linebacker in the league last year (https://www.si.com/.amp/nfl/2019/05...hly-wagner-leonard-vander-esch-mosley-podcast)

However, watching these games and listening to Cowboy’s fans opinions on him, you’d think he was a back up LB at best. So why is there such a wide gap between the numbers on paper and the eye ball test?

I’m not quite sure, but if he can play like he did in the 2nd half of the Giants game, this defense might actually have a glimmer of hope. It would also be nice to get some production out of anyone not named Aldon smith on the DLine (DLaw had a really good game vs. the Giants - which was a pleasant surprise). It’s nice that our secondary is getting healthy so we can actually hold teams to under 40 points; literally. But I really think this defense needs Jaylon Smith to play like that guy he was at Notre Dame and that guy that has shown has flashes of ‘greatness’ in him.

Jaylon was not as bad as many people claim.

Having said that, stats don't mean much for off ball Linebackers other than INTs.

A bad DL can lead to more tackles by LBs. Scheme comes into play also.

Safety is an easier example. If a Safety leads the league in tackles then that defense is probably not very good.

The article is a bit all over the in terms of trying to make a point.

They mention Kyle Van Noy as not in their top 10.

Jaylon was not on the same planet as Van Noy with regards to impact in their defenses. Van Noy was the on field brains of that defense and it was a complicated defense.

 

[buybuydandavis]

However, watching these games and listening to Cowboy’s fans opinions on him, you’d think he was a back up LB at best. So why is there such a wide gap between the numbers on paper and the eye ball test?

Watch him play. Physically limited in taking on blockers and shedding, and in making cuts, particularly when he comes forward and has to cut backward.

He had a few plays against the Giants playing to his strength of straight line driving forward to the sidelines.

 

[INCowboysFan]

But DLaw has always been active against the run and pass even if the numbers didn't show up in the box score. Last year he only had 5 sacks but he had the most pressures by far of anyone with that number. He also had 3 or 4 plays where he got to the QB a half step behind Quinn. This year he has still be solid against the run but IMO his splits were totally different in the 3-4 sets than in the 4-3 sets he is used to.

The ones that poo poo the box score when discussing Jaylon's tackles are the same ones that use the box score to show that DLaw quit playing hard when he got paid.