Jaylon Smith

[texaspackerbacker]

I wouldn't expect it to be too slow. Defense is not offense in terms of learning curve, and assuming Barnes is likely to be out again, I'd expect Smith to be in the game for at least a few plays, maybe a lot.

And yes, if he is the Cowboys' 4th best ILB, I do see him as better than anybody the Packers have, even Campbell - I guess we will see. I sort of doubt he is the Cowboys' 4th best, though. Vander Esch seems like he's still a little bit damaged from the injury he had, and I honestly didn't see Cox do much in the games they have played.

[call_me_ishmael]

Vander Esch went from all-pro to jag in a hurry lol. Stinks 'cause I really liked him coming out and you hate to see the injuries. CM3 clone folks used to say.

[Fritz]

I wonder if Smith will be better-suited to this defense than Dallas's.

It'll take some time to get up to speed, but it seems like it's an upgrade at least as a third ILB.

Let Summers and Burks, once Smith's up to speed, focus on special teams. That ST unit needs to step it up. Now that they've got a real punter, there are no more excuses.

And that punter is gooood.

[Jaire]

This will be viewed as a special pick up in a few weeks. Deandre is underrated.

[texaspackerbacker]

Just bringing in Smith seems to have lit a fire under Kris Barnes. He looked quicker and better than I've generally seen him. I thought - wrongly - Smith was playing and looking pretty mediocre out there when I saw #54. Come to find out, though, that was Ladarius Hamilton.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Just bringing in Smith seems to have lit a fire under Kris Barnes. He looked quicker and better than I've generally seen him. I thought - wrongly - Smith was playing and looking pretty mediocre out there when I saw #54. Come to find out, though, that was Ladarius Hamilton.

J-Smith wears the exotic 9. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, he’ll be starting over Barnes, a poor man’d Bernardo Harris.

[bobblehead]

J-Smith wears the exotic 9. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, he’ll be starting over Barnes, a poor man’d Bernardo Harris.

Barnes plays physical. J-Smith hasn't taken on a block since high school. He covers for shit as well. I hear he is a great locker room guy though, so he has that going for him.

[run pMc]

Jaylon will take 2-3 weeks to get up to speed with the defense. ILBs have a lot of responsibilities and have to know the calls.

At this point I'd take Barnes over Jaylon, but Barnes gets hurt every other game so it's a good move if you want to keep Summers off the field.

Smith isn't a thumper and his knee makes his speed questionable, but if he only plays a few snaps and is a smart player he could contribute. Would have preferred they get more OLB or CB depth, but there aren't any good ones on the street.

(And no, CM3 isn't in football shape and he's well past his prime anyway.)

[HarveyWallbangers]

Barnes plays physical. J-Smith hasn't taken on a block since high school. He covers for shit as well. I hear he is a great locker room guy though, so he has that going for him.

I'm not sure about that. Reading reports on him is like reading reports on Campbell. They were all over the map. He can't tackle, but he can cover. He can't cover, but he's tall and fast. Same with Smith. I knew Campbell started for many years, but I can't say I watched his games and focused on him. I know Smith was damn good in 2018 and 2019. Poorly rated during the COVID year last year. Actually, had good grades from PFF this year. Lots of contradictory stuff. Somebody had a good quote on another forum "he's everything and nothing at the same time." Made me laugh, and it seemed to be spot on.

[texaspackerbacker]

Yes - what Harvey said. I've seen Jaylon Smith play a lot after his big injury, and he didn't seem to have a problem with speed at all. I didn't see him used a whole lot in coverage, but he ought to be decent there too. Barnes only seems good because of low expectations - getting him as a UDFA and the Packers recent history of crap at ILB.

[bobblehead]

He is good pursuing the run sideline to sideline. He runs inline pretty well, but Tex, I assume you watched Dallas games some? He can't cover and he can't take on a blocker. The scouting on Campbell was pretty different. He did everything ok, nothing great. Because he didn't have one standout skill expectations were low. But because he can't be exploited it has worked out quite well. Jaylon can be bulldozed or exploited if stuck on a TE or a scatback. He might serve a purpose against a stretch running team though.

[HarveyWallbangers]

He is good pursuing the run sideline to sideline. He runs inline pretty well, but Tex, I assume you watched Dallas games some? He can't cover and he can't take on a blocker. The scouting on Campbell was pretty different. He did everything ok, nothing great. Because he didn't have one standout skill expectations were low. But because he can't be exploited it has worked out quite well. Jaylon can be bulldozed or exploited if stuck on a TE or a scatback. He might serve a purpose against a stretch running team though.

Except his coverage grade is good this year (per PFF). Not the be all and end all, but some of things being said don't match stats. The things being said are contradictory. Some say he's still fast. Others say he doesn't have speed because of the injuries. How closely do we all watch other teams ILBs? Every game?

From what I've cobbled together: I believe he probably doesn't take on blockers well. Most ILBs don't. I believe he still has good speed and sideline-to-sideline range. One thing is for certain: he is a good tackler. That has always been a sore spot for this defense. Campbell came with the same concerns about coverage--even though he's big and fast. Maybe Joe Barry's scheme simplifies things for ILBs, and it will help mitigate some of the issues Smith has had in coverage.

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2021/10/6/22711907/colts-should-take-a-shot-on-ex-cowboys-pro-bowl-lb-jaylon-smith

Now, Smith came off of a somewhat underwhelming 2020 campaign, but he actually graded out very well so far this season for the Cowboys.

Specifically, per PFF (subscription), the 6’2”, 245 pound linebacker is ranked as their 13th best linebacker so far this season with a +69.5 overall grade—including an impressive +82.2 coverage grade during 4 games (2 starts).

The primary concern for Dallas was that if Smith got injured this year, his contract would be guaranteed at $9M for next year. They already have Parsons, LVE, and Cox. It wasn't worth the risk for the Cowboys, but it doesn't mean he can't play in the right scheme. He's still young. He's still athletic. We'll see.

[Guiness]

Did he get any snaps this week-end? He's not in the box score and I didn't notice him on the field.

[Joemailman]

Did he get any snaps this week-end? He's not in the box score and I didn't notice him on the field.

No. He was not active. He only practiced 1 day.

[run pMc]

The primary concern for Dallas was that if Smith got injured this year, his contract would be guaranteed at $9M for next year.

My understanding is this was the main reason to release him, not necessarily performance (although Parsons and Vander Esch are likely as good if not better at this point). Doesn't really cost them much to kick the tires on him for 60K/week as Jerry is still paying for the bulk of his salary this year.