What exactly could Smith bring to the LB spot?

[Bluefin]

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

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

While the drop foot remains, recent tests have shown the nerve is healing.

It's just a matter of time.

There is no question on if Jaylon Smith will play next season.

He should be a full participant in the entire off-season program and entrenched as the starting MLB in training camp next summer.

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

He is.

I don't expect Dallas to re-sign Terrell McClain this off-season.

He's a good player and I wouldn't mind having him back even if the injury issues have been troubling. But the Cowboys already spent money on the position this year in Cedric Thornton (he's playing better as the season goes, too).

Both players are 28 years old.

My preference is to find a young NT in the draft who can be groomed for a few years before taking over the starting job.

 

[Trouty]

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.

Gosh, you're amazing, Fuzzy. Thanks for that breakdown, brudda.

Gilfoyle

 

[Trouty]

He brings a dropped foot to the LB group

Jest or drama post?

 

[TheHerd]

I've also only seen highlights, but he seems like the prototype Marinelli MLB to me. Coverage skills to handle the deep middle, speed to get to the outside, sure tackler, if not a thumper. Am I wrong ?

 

[Aven8]

Well if he plays tomorrow he's instantly our best pure pass rusher and that's from MLB. He and Lee could give us what Kuechly amd Davis give Carolina.

 

[mahoneybill]

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

We win.

Agree. I for one want to see RB's stopped at LOS instead we see them juking their way to 4 yards.

 

[Sepia]

Smith can play every position at linebacker. But he will be a great Mike for us. He excels at coverage and is a sure tackler. His only downside is shedding blockers to break into the backfield, but that's really searching for a weakness of his.

He weighed 240 at Norte Dame but didn't play like it (hitting/tackling power rushers and strong receivers/TEs) and is so fast, he is as fast as DBs 20-25 lbs lighter, and can drop back and cover as well as some of the best DBs, Lol. He is a field general and diagnoses plays at an elite level. Freak freak freak

Still, I would like to see him get up to 250-255. Just a scoach bigger

I believe @xwalker reviewed him extensively. If I'm wrong X (about your extensive review of him), apologies, my brother.

Amazing. On Talkin Cowboys, one of the analysts from the UK said they had him as their highest ever grade on a defensive player.

 

[Broges74]

While the drop foot remains, recent tests have shown the nerve is healing.

It's just a matter of time.

There is no question on if Jaylon Smith will play next season.

He should be a full participant in the entire off-season program and entrenched as the starting MLB in training camp next summer.
.

The nerve firing and returning to form are two seperate things . Will he have any lingering issues from this injury or will he get back to being the freak of nature he was in college.

I still think there is a low probability that the nerve never fires. A higher probability that he isn't the player he was if the nerve fires. Risky pick but, in hindsight , a better risk that Gregory .

 

[robbieruff]

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

Yeah. I've seen that too. I agree with that in terms of coverage ability. His tackling is nowhere near as sound though in my view. Luke's tackling form and physicality appears to be way ahead of where Jaylon is at this point. But in terms of being an athletic LB I think it's a fair comparison in a general sense.

 

[Trouty]

Agree. I for one want to see RB's stopped at LOS instead we see them juking their way to 4 yards.

We've been strong against the run, Bill.

 

[Bluefin]

The nerve firing and returning to form are two seperate things . Will he have any lingering issues from this injury or will he get back to being the freak of nature he was in college.

I still think there is a low probability that the nerve never fires. A higher probability that he isn't the player he was if the nerve fires. Risky pick but, in hindsight , a better risk that Gregory .

The nerve is healing, the tests show it, so I see no reason to doubt the peroneal nerve will start firing again.

There will be some normal rust when Jaylon Smith returns to the field next year, but he will be over a year and a half removed from surgery when the team goes camping. And Smith has been in the weight room and out on the field working for a long time.

I can't wait to see him.

 

[CCBoy]

Man, old sayings such as don't count your chickens before they hatch, still work.

Let him get healthy and start showing some NFL levels of talent...and then compare the Cowboys to the Giant group with Lawrence Taylor.

 

[Old'Boyfan]

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.

I probably should have been a little more specific about Smith replacing Lee. I think it's a possibility when Lee is used up or suffers another serious injury but not until then. I want Lee on the field as long as he can make it. And I DO hope that Smith can handle the MIKE because I think that is what we are lacking right now. Just not sure if that is his best slot.
I like your input. A lot.

 

[rockj7]

While the drop foot remains, recent tests have shown the nerve is healing.

It's just a matter of time.

There is no question on if Jaylon Smith will play next season.

He should be a full participant in the entire off-season program and entrenched as the starting MLB in training camp next summer.



He is.

I don't expect Dallas to re-sign Terrell McClain this off-season.

He's a good player and I wouldn't mind having him back even if the injury issues have been troubling. But the Cowboys already spent money on the position this year in Cedric Thornton (he's playing better as the season goes, too).

Both players are 28 years old.

My preference is to find a young NT in the draft who can be groomed for a few years before taking over the starting job.

Bluefin agree 100% hope we find a young NT/1 I would love for us to find a player like Hankins who plays the 1 for the Giants his style of being big and fast would be great on this line

 

[Trouty]

I probably should have been a little more specific about Smith replacing Lee. I think it's a possibility when Lee is used up or suffers another serious injury but not until then. I want Lee on the field as long as he can make it. And I DO hope that Smith can handle the MIKE because I think that is what we are lacking right now. Just not sure if that is his best slot.
I like your input. A lot.

Thank you, OldBoyfan

Let's hope and pray we get them both destroying the opponent, together, on the field

 

[LocimusPrime]

I would like him to become a Ray Lewis type but meaner and angrier. To hit people w bad bad intent

 

[Vintage]

Jest or drama post?

I'm a huge fan of Smith.

I think it was a huge risk to take him. But I was in favor of it. Still am.

But it's far from certain he'll ever amount to anything.



But I'll throw in a Go cowboys (to quote Risen Star) so you don't get butt hurt.

 

[Trouty]

I'm a huge fan of Smith.

I think it was a huge risk to take him. But I was in favor of it. Still am.

But it's far from certain he'll ever amount to anything.



But I'll throw in a Go cowboys (to quote Risen Star) so you don't get butt hurt.

Or how about throwing in everything but the last sentence, bro?

Can't handle a response without trying to go meanie? You're not @Risen Star, so don't try. He's better at it than you'll ever be. It's disrespectful to his wit to try to compare yourself to him.

Risen is my boy, and now you're on my radar.

And in before whatever lame retort you have. I'll win. But we can play.

Oh, here, Go Cowboys.

 

[Vintage]

Or how about throwing in everything but the last sentence, bro?

Can't handle a response without trying to go meanie? You're not @Risen Star, so don't try. He's better at it than you'll ever be. It's disrespectful to his wit to try to compare yourself to him.

Risen is my boy, and now you're on my radar.

And in before whatever lame retort you have. I'll win. But we can play.

Oh, here, Go Cowboys.

On your radar? I don't know even know what that means. I'll just assume that's something stupid that is meaningless. But noted. I'm on your radar. Hopefully as a blue dot.

 

[Trouty]

On your radar? I don't know even know what that means. I'll just assume that's something stupid that is meaningless. But noted. I'm on your radar. Hopefully as a blue dot.

Blue, red, purple, pink. Whatever color you like.

It means you attacked me and now I know you.

Go Cowboys.