What exactly could Smith bring to the LB spot?

[AmericasTeam81]

Lawrence Taylor

 

[Jstopper]

Big Dog would you put Crawford back at the 3 and D. Lawrence back on the left side and draft another RDE/FA? Also will we resign T Crawford or Draft a 1 in the later rounds?

T Crawford is already signed for the next 3 seasons

 

[skinsscalper]

I don't watch college ball, so all I've ever seen are highlight reels.

No prognostications about the probability of Jaylon Smith returning to form here, I want you to assume he does.

What exactly would he bring to the table next year after a healthy training camp? Who would he replace? Who are we hoping he would be comparable to?

Remember the night Hitchens had against the Vikings the other night? We'll see that every single week.

 

[JDSmith]

T Crawford is already signed for the next 3 seasons

I believe he meant J Crawford the second time.

 

[rockj7]

T Crawford is already signed for the next 3 seasons

Sorry J I meant T. McClain Who is playing the 1

 

[rockj7]

I believe he meant J Crawford the second time.

I meant T McClain JD sorry for the confusion I be live McClain is a FA

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Hopefully he produces right away and doesn't have any rookie growing pains. He could be another Lee. It would be great if Lee can continue to play at a high level for another ~5 years too. He's already 30. And Wilson is turning into a good SLB. We have the potential to be a freakish LBer corps if everyone can get/stay healthy. Unfortunately, the same was true the past few years when we had guys like Lee, McClain, Carter on the roster but we could never get them all the click at the same time.

 

[bark]

Draft a 350 lbs monster, put him at NT, and run a 5 - 2 base defense. Smith and Lee at LB.

We win.

Brandon Williams FA from Baltimore

 

[Yakuza Rich]

He's more of a WILL LB than a MIKE. So I would imagine that they could have him replace Lee.

I liked him more than Myles Jack because he's much more tougher and stout than Jack. I wouldn't confuse him with Bradie James by any stretch, but Jack is more of a Donnie Edwards type...pure cover LB. Smith reminds me a bit more of Derrick Brooks. Brooks was faster, but also smaller. But very tough and if you could keep O-Linemen off him he was an incredible player. If you couldn't, over time he would wear down pretty easily.

So with Smith, if he returns back to his old form, we could either put him at the MIKE and determine that he's like a better version of Hitchens...a quality WILL who is playing out of position at the MIKE. Or we could move him to the WILL and put Lee back at the MIKE. Yes, you don't want to see Lee get injured, but you have to wonder how much longer Lee has to play and when you're in the middle of being a contender that needs help on defense, you would rather have your 2 best LB's playing and at positions they can excel at.




YR

 

[Broges74]

If he returns to form which is a big IF at this point. Troubling he is still with drop foot.

But... He is a 3 down LB that has outstanding cover skills. unlike many here, I don't see him as much help with QB pressures . I think he has tweener skillset of SS/LB.

 

[JDSmith]

I meant T McClain JD sorry for the confusion I be live McClain is a FA

So is Jack Crawford, that's why I assumed you meant him.

 

[Old'Boyfan]

He's more of a WILL LB than a MIKE. So I would imagine that they could have him replace Lee.

I liked him more than Myles Jack because he's much more tougher and stout than Jack. I wouldn't confuse him with Bradie James by any stretch, but Jack is more of a Donnie Edwards type...pure cover LB. Smith reminds me a bit more of Derrick Brooks. Brooks was faster, but also smaller. But very tough and if you could keep O-Linemen off him he was an incredible player. If you couldn't, over time he would wear down pretty easily.

So with Smith, if he returns back to his old form, we could either put him at the MIKE and determine that he's like a better version of Hitchens...a quality WILL who is playing out of position at the MIKE. Or we could move him to the WILL and put Lee back at the MIKE. Yes, you don't want to see Lee get injured, but you have to wonder how much longer Lee has to play and when you're in the middle of being a contender that needs help on defense, you would rather have your 2 best LB's playing and at positions they can excel at.




YR

That's pretty much how I see it. I'd like to see Smith at Mike but I'm not so sure that is the ideal spot for him, I just don't know if he has the size you want there. I could see him replacing Lee at some point. Regardless I think you have to have both Lee and Smith on the field all 3 downs, maybe that's a given.

 

[Bigdog]

He's compared to Derrick Joshnson in his NFL.com draft profile. I for one see him as a Bobby Wagner type in his athleticism and versality and big play potential. But yes, he is definitely not a punishing tackler. Lot of arm and diving tackles where he leaves his feet in pursuit.

I have seen draft web sites compare him to Luke Kulchey (Panrhers MLB) also.

 

[Trouty]

He's more of a WILL LB than a MIKE. So I would imagine that they could have him replace Lee.

I liked him more than Myles Jack because he's much more tougher and stout than Jack. I wouldn't confuse him with Bradie James by any stretch, but Jack is more of a Donnie Edwards type...pure cover LB. Smith reminds me a bit more of Derrick Brooks. Brooks was faster, but also smaller. But very tough and if you could keep O-Linemen off him he was an incredible player. If you couldn't, over time he would wear down pretty easily.

So with Smith, if he returns back to his old form, we could either put him at the MIKE and determine that he's like a better version of Hitchens...a quality WILL who is playing out of position at the MIKE. Or we could move him to the WILL and put Lee back at the MIKE. Yes, you don't want to see Lee get injured, but you have to wonder how much longer Lee has to play and when you're in the middle of being a contender that needs help on defense, you would rather have your 2 best LB's playing and at positions they can excel at.




YR

Rich, I doubt very highly he replaces Lee, despite him being a more natural WILL (you're definitely right about that, tho, just ain't gonna happen, imo)

 

[xwalker]

I don't watch college ball, so all I've ever seen are highlight reels.

No prognostications about the probability of Jaylon Smith returning to form here, I want you to assume he does.

What exactly would he bring to the table next year after a healthy training camp? Who would he replace? Who are we hoping he would be comparable to?

Imagine if Sean Lee was faster, bigger and really good as a pass rusher.

 

[Trouty]

That's pretty much how I see it. I'd like to see Smith at Mike but I'm not so sure that is the ideal spot for him, I just don't know if he has the size you want there. I could see him replacing Lee at some point. Regardless I think you have to have both Lee and Smith on the field all 3 downs, maybe that's a given.

You can't put Smith at WILL with Lee there. You just can't, and you need to watch video of him if you think he can't handle the MIKE. Respectfully, bro.

 

[Vintage]

He brings a dropped foot to the LB group

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He's more of a WILL LB than a MIKE. So I would imagine that they could have him replace Lee.

I liked him more than Myles Jack because he's much more tougher and stout than Jack. I wouldn't confuse him with Bradie James by any stretch, but Jack is more of a Donnie Edwards type...pure cover LB. Smith reminds me a bit more of Derrick Brooks. Brooks was faster, but also smaller. But very tough and if you could keep O-Linemen off him he was an incredible player. If you couldn't, over time he would wear down pretty easily.

So with Smith, if he returns back to his old form, we could either put him at the MIKE and determine that he's like a better version of Hitchens...a quality WILL who is playing out of position at the MIKE. Or we could move him to the WILL and put Lee back at the MIKE. Yes, you don't want to see Lee get injured, but you have to wonder how much longer Lee has to play and when you're in the middle of being a contender that needs help on defense, you would rather have your 2 best LB's playing and at positions they can excel at.

YR

If the 1T is doing his job and forcing double teams then the MIKE should be free to flow to the ball.

Teams are also scheming to get a hat on Lee anyway despite the alignment and in response Marinelli is having Lee crash the OL in question before they can release to the second level. It's kind of moot where they line him up now as it is.

Smith split time pretty equally between OLB and ILB at ND. I'm not sure you can really pigeonhole him onto one or the other. He can man those deep drops that cover 2 MIKE's are assigned for example. That range in the middle would help.

 

[Trouty]

@xwalker

Do you have the link to that wizard who breaks down his Notre Dame footage? If so, could you post it for some of these fine folks?

 

[TheHerd]

Draft a 350 lbs monster, put him at NT, and run a 5 - 2 base defense. Smith and Lee at LB.

We win.

Marinelli is allergic to big fatties, so as long he's here no way so we draft a clogger.