Why is Jaylon Smith playing?

[PJTHEDOORS]

what do you think PJ

A rookie that's played 7 freakin games, that's what I think.

 

[CowboyStar88]

This thread is an Epic Fail...
I’d bet he’s gonna be here a lot longer than you claim. Hell I’d bet money on that, you’re just being over dramatic...
He’s not an all pro yet...
He’s got 2-3 sacks a forced fumble and almost an amazing int which could be considered one of the better playmakers on defense...
He’s filling the hole better, taking on shedding blocks...

He is struggling to turn and cover ground, but his nerve is still responding and you can tell it’s getting better. His nerve and brain are not in sync yet. But it’s a lot better than it was just a few weeks ago. But the end of the year this dude is going to be a different player.

As your avatar says don’t tread on me. Don’t Tread on Jaylon!

Haters gonna hate!

#cleareyeview

 

[CowboyStar88]

People will not understand your post because he made 2 whole plays last week. They didn't notice the dozen missed tackles he had.

Hitchens is better.

Hitch is better at this point and a very underrated player here. But he also isn’t coming off a career injury either and has played in the league for what 3 years?

Jaylon is starting to play decent ball when out in position to succeed like he has the last couple of weeks. He’s getting better X

Context helps a little bit here

 

[Bohuntr97]

A rookie that's played 7 freakin games, that's what I think.

And a rookie that was forced to play way too much due to injuries to Lee and Hitch simultaneously.

 

[MRV52]

I'm not knocking the guy because he's been through a lot but why is he on the field? At this point, he's a liability out there. He can't cut, and misses way too many tackles. Either that knee has cut his speed in half or the dude just can't play at this level. Is he playing because he was a stud in college? Is Garrett trying to get him used to the NFL while backs run around him? This isn't the time to be experimenting with LB's. I know he makes tackles, look at the position he's playing, but his tackles are after he's been juked and someone else is involved......Hitchens plays circles around Jaylon......If he were on any other team he wouldn't play at all.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I'm not knocking the guy because he's been through a lot but why is he on the field? At this point, he's a liability out there. He can't cut, and misses way too many tackles. Either that knee has cut his speed in half or the dude just can't play at this level. Is he playing because he was a stud in college? Is Garrett trying to get him used to the NFL while backs run around him? This isn't the time to be experimenting with LB's. I know he makes tackles, look at the position he's playing, but his tackles are after he's been juked and someone else is involved......Hitchens plays circles around Jaylon......If he were on any other team he wouldn't play at all.

Why is he playing?
Because our linebacking and secondary and front three sucks and we do not have a better LB?

 

[xwalker]

Hitch is better at this point and a very underrated player here. But he also isn’t coming off a career injury either and has played in the league for what 3 years?

Jaylon is starting to play decent ball when out in position to succeed like he has the last couple of weeks. He’s getting better X

Context helps a little bit here

Sean Lee isn't coming off a career injury either but like Hitchens I don't want him off the field in favor of Jaylon.

I'm hopeful that Jaylon progresses but he shouldn't play more than a couple of snaps when Hitchens and Lee are both available.

 

[xwalker]

Have you actually watched the last 3 games?

Yes I'm serious. Because his play has been noticeably better.

He made a few highly visible good plays but he still struggles overall and Hitchens is better right now.

 

[CowboyStar88]

Sean Lee isn't coming off a career injury either but like Hitchens I don't want him off the field in favor of Jaylon.

I'm hopeful that Jaylon progresses but he shouldn't play more than a couple of snaps when Hitchens and Lee are both available.

Not saying Hitch or Lee should come off the field.

However Jaylon can be used in spot duty and used to rush the passer in situations. If he can continue to develop and show the improvement in pass coverage I’m all for him getting reps at a slow pace or in a spot where he can succeed and continue to grow and gain confidence.

I swear it’s like all or nothing with people around here

 

[xwalker]

Not saying Hitch or Lee should come off the field.

However Jaylon can be used in spot duty and used to rush the passer in situations. If he can continue to develop and show the improvement in pass coverage I’m all for him getting reps at a slow pace or in a spot where he can succeed and continue to grow and gain confidence.

I swear it’s like all or nothing with people around here

Snaps:
Jaylon 17
Hirchens 26

 

[plasticman]

Jaylon Smith has the potential to be great bit he ia going to make mistakes along the way. He is well worth the investment and patience as he develops.

Demarcys Ware had to go through ths same transition. He made plenty mistakes, mostly containment on a running game.

 

[vaturkey]

He either isn't trusting what he is seeing or he doesn't have the physical ability yet to do what his brain is telling him to do. Probably a combination of both at this point. Next year he will be a lot better from both the physical and mental standpoint. He certainly hustles like crazy and I give him high marks for that.

 

[Roadtrip635]

We should just cut him. We should just cut any rookie or player coming off a major injury if they can't play at a pro-bowl level within the first 7 games. Churn the roster.

 

[adbutcher]

This is a very dumb thread.

 

[risco]

Why is the team leading tackler playing? So who behind him is an obvious upgrade?

Anyone who’s not injured. His injury is bad and I’m afraid he’s not where this team needs him to be physically or mentally.

 

[risco]

I'm not knocking the guy because he's been through a lot but why is he on the field? At this point, he's a liability out there. He can't cut, and misses way too many tackles. Either that knee has cut his speed in half or the dude just can't play at this level. Is he playing because he was a stud in college? Is Garrett trying to get him used to the NFL while backs run around him? This isn't the time to be experimenting with LB's. I know he makes tackles, look at the position he's playing, but his tackles are after he's been juked and someone else is involved......Hitchens plays circles around Jaylon......If he were on any other team he wouldn't play at all.

I have been very critical about Jaylon’s playing ability. He simple is not quite ready. Yes, he’s made a few plays here and there. I think the past two game would be the way I’d use him, situational player.
I assume that the only reason he’s playing is there’s no one else available on the team. Plus he was a high second round pick and coaches need to see what he can do. I suspect he will not be able to work as an NFL LB much longer if the knee doesn’t fully heal.

 

[risco]

Hard to put "franchise RB" on any RB these days - Zeke could easily have a peak of 4-5 years before hitting a rapid decline. Just the nature of the position.

You don't get to where you need to be on the back of an RB - especially in today's league. Just not how it works. You need a passing game and a solid D. We lack the even a good D, and no, I'm not praising them for couple solid weeks of play.

Call the 2016 draft bitter sweet. A good draft that could have been great - missing out on players you could have had often times show the impact not immediately, but down the road.

I like our picks in Dak and Zeke; however, you are making a very good argument. Life span of an NFL running back is about 4-5 years if that. I’m sure a cornerback is much higher.

 

[Pants]

I think people need to let this guy get his experience...sure, I want to see double-digit tackles every game, I want to see him shut down whomever he is covering, I want to see a pro-bow-level LB alongside of Lee, I want to see sacks and int's, leadership, etc, etc.....but, he is still feeling his way around the NFL...he is a rookie....he will make mistakes...he will learn (he is a really bright kid)...

....also, think of other rookie LB's, are they doing everything that the OP wants for their teams?


IMO, he is doing just fine, and he is progressing....stay healthy young man, learn, get better....

 

[Ranching]

Cause he you is are fat.

No idea what you said, gave you a like anyway for the effort. Lol

 

[Scotman]

Some of you warned every one that listened that he wouldn't hit the field at an elite level because of the lack of experience and the devastating injury. You said it would take time. You said things like, "Don't be disappointed if he doesn't set the league on fire right away."

And here he is, a step slower on the turn because of the injury and a step slower in his reads because of a lack of experience. Two steps slower overall and it shows on the field.

But he is certainly better now than he was at the beginning of the year. Still a step slower overall.

We aren't playing him because of Jerry's ego. Jerry's ego always plays a factor, but Jerry wants to win. We are playing him because, even though his floor is lower than Hitchens right now, his ceiling is much higher.

Comparing his performance to Lee, well that is an unfair comparison for 90% of the men playing that position in the league, regardless of experience. If I remember correctly, there have been plenty of the people along the way frustrated with Lee and willing to move on from him, too.

I'm still hoping that his improvement continues at the same pace it is now. If it does, he will be a solid, solid player come year end. He might be a star next year. If he is, his loyalty and Jerry's ego will keep him here.