Why not give Jaylon some SAM looks?

[CT Dal Fan]

Because the Cowboys used a 4-2-5 look on about 80 percent of their defensive snaps last season. In this pass-first league, you rarely see three LB's on the field anymore. That's why any potential loss of Damien Wilson isn't that big of a blow. The "sam" is the least important position in this scheme.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Would be nice to get involved with blitzes... but Dallas don't blitz much. That's my only major complaint about the play calling on defense.

We were middle of the pack in terms of blitzing. Rod's reputation is that but reportedly Redball has him blitzing more.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Because it's a waste of his talents. He's meant to play in space, not engage lead blockers and stuff holes all the time.

 

[JoeKing]

I think Jaylon will eventually get an opportunity to practice at several positions. With Lee limited to where he can play, it is smart to have the others guys be as versatile as possible.

 

[TheFinisher]

I'm not sure why some think playing him some snaps at Sam would be a waste of his talents

Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr, etc have terrorized from there for their teams. You have a freak in Jaylon, the SAM can be used as a highly disruptive weapon in the 4-3 defense. We just haven't had anyone to utilize like that.

 

[Jake]

IMO they will use him at SAM and other positions. Dude is going to line up all over the place.

We don't even know if he can play in a game, yet. It's great that he's practicing, but let's see how the boot works in live action.

 

[JoeKing]

We don't even know if he can play in a game, yet. It's great that he's practicing, but let's see how the boot works in live action.

I'm not part of your "we". I know the dude can play ball. He's in pads today playing as well as any of the LB'ers.

 

[Jake]

Von Miller, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr, etc have terrorized from there for their teams. You have a freak in Jaylon...

The guy hasn't played a down in a game, he's still wearing the boot, and we're comparing him to Von Miller?

 

[haleyrules]

I think Jaylon will eventually get an opportunity to practice at several positions. With Lee limited to where he can play, it is smart to have the others guys be as versatile as possible.

Eventually is the word. Smith needs some real time to grow. Time will tell.

 

[Jake]

We don't even know if he can play in a game, yet. It's great that he's practicing, but let's see how the boot works in live action.

I'm not part of your "we". I know the dude can play ball. He's in pads today playing as well as any of the LB'ers.

Really? I must have missed his first NFL game.

I hope he kills it when the time comes, but no one knows how he'll be in a real game at this point. Add all the bluster you like and it won't change that fact.

 

[JoeKing]

The guy hasn't played a down in a game, he's still wearing the boot, and we're comparing him to Von Miller?

It's not like he's still on crutches. Relax, he is proving his value to this team everyday now, There is no harm in seeing what he can do. Training camp is the perfect opportunity to do this.

 

[JoeKing]

Really? I must have missed his first NFL game.

I hope he kills it when the time comes, but no one knows how he'll be in a real game at this point. Add all the bluster you like and it won't change that fact.

That's your problem if you miss ESPN's all Cowboys all day all night dump on. They have shown him today practicing in pads. He'll be fine. It doesn't take seeing him in an actual game to see he can play.

 

[haleyrules]

The guy hasn't played a down in a game, he's still wearing the boot, and we're comparing him to Von Miller?

yeah...easy...easy.

 

[viman96]

We don't even know if he can play in a game, yet. It's great that he's practicing, but let's see how the boot works in live action.

Of course. This thread assumes he is healthy and any comment related to Smith playing. Having said that now that we seen video of him actually moving around there is a little more reason to be optimistic about his ability to play.

 

[kumizi]

Because he's not ready to play. If he was, Anthony mediocre Hitchens wouldn't be and won't be keeping him off the field.

 

[jobberone]

I agree with this. Besides, MLB is much more physical and requires more contact. I don't know that I would want Smith to be subjected to that, at least until we know how the knee is going to hold up.

Not sure Mike quite as physical here as other schemes but you can't get that far away from it no matter. SAM is just as physical here IMO. Will is more free but forget moving Lee IMO.

 

[diefree666]

Because he's not ready to play. If he was, Anthony mediocre Hitchens wouldn't be and won't be keeping him off the field.

2nd day of camp and we get posts like this.

 

[waving monkey]

if Hitchens is playing well, why not try to get your best 3 on the field in base looks? Jaylon played exclusively in that sort of role his freshman year at ND and easily has the size to handle playing over a TE... it's also easier to get him involved in the blitz game as a SAM.

If we want to ease him in, that seems like it would be an ideal role for him, no? That position is typically less thinking and more reacting anyway, for a young guy that's always an easier role to excel in

I have thought this since we drafted Smith.He seems physically his suited for Sam.

 

[Bleu Star]

Well if he can ever get back to where he was you can use him at like 4 different positions on defense. So yeah.

Oh he'll get back there. He's already halfway down the yellow brick road.