The key is Jaylon Smith

[Loso86]

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.

That's half true, but in order for him to be able to flow like Sunday, the dline, particularly the DTs need to not get pushed into his lap

 

[Kaiser]

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.

Big time. Plus you add in the people that hate any player with a salary over the minimum.

 

[nalam]

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

unless we have Luke , Bobby Wagner as LBs and couple of Richard Sherman in CBs, LOL

 

[stilltheguru]

Doesnt matter if Poe and Crawford are dts. Yall still dont get it

 

[Cmac]

We doing this again.....blame Jaylon for everything bad on the defense? Jaylon you are the Defensive Fall Guy Nominee.

 

[blueblood70]

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.

hope he practiced with the entire defense chasing rooster around and trying to catch them..Kmurray will be running all over the lace, if you dont contain him, we will lose..

this isnt the pocket fumbling Jones this week..who will spy Murray? my bet its Jsmith and we will see if the Giants game was an outlier..

 

[Bullflop]

If Jaylon plays with the same energy he displayed vs. the Giants last week, we'd surely be blessed. If not and he reverts back to the same way he played in the first four games, this defense could struggle mightily. Let's hope he's well prepared to put his best foot forward vs. the Cardinals. Of course, the defensive line must make sure to do their part, as well.

 

[Bullflop]

Doesnt matter if Poe and Crawford are dts. Yall still dont get it

It'll be up to them to step up their game if this defense has any chance, at all, to succeed.

Hopefully, they'll respond as needed. Their ways of showing up for a paycheck must end.

 

[Ranched]

If the Cowboys want to get the most from Jaylon Smith they should look at what the Giants are doing with Blake Martinez.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

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.

That’s not accurate.

People that understand the game see Lawrence causing pressure and playing the run and still making an impact that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet. He hasn’t been getting home on completing the sack as much as he has in the past but he’s far from a garbage player.

Conversely, looking at tackle totals is the measure of a defensive player’s ability is misguided. First, “tackles” aren’t even an official statistic. Second, much like passing yards, tackle totals provide no context. You have to look at how the player is performing on the field. Jaylon had struggled mightily dating back to last year and that’s been shown repeatedly in cutups that have been posted in threads.

 

[bodi]

he is the reason i draft two lbers this year

 

[jnday]

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

Troy has always been overly modest. Romo could have never survived the beatings that Troy took before the rules came about that protects the QB.