Jaylon Smith: Breaking Down His Much Anticipated Return

Brian Martin

Strengths

I could sit here and talk about Jaylon Smith’s strengths as a player all day, but instead I wanted to take a look at the ways his versatility can be used by defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli on defense.

While playing at Notre Dame, Smith was utilized in a number of different ways. I think Marinelli is really looking for to having such a versatile linebacker at his disposal next season.

Let’s take a look at the first clip. It shows one example of how Marinelli can take advantage of Smith’s versatility.

I chose this particular play because it really shows how versatile of a player Jaylon Smith can be for the Cowboys on defense.

Now, I don’t expect him to line up with his hand on the ground as a pass rusher very much, if at all for the Cowboys, but he can be used in different blitz packages to exploit certain offensive weaknesses.

Rod Marinelli could get creative and use Smith as a pass rusher in obvious passing situations. His speed and athleticism to put pressure on the opposing QBs can possibly be a difference maker in certain situations.

We all know the Cowboys need help with their pass rush, so Smith could come in and help in that area at times.

Let’s take a look at the next clip, which shows how he can help the Cowboys defense as a middle linebacker.

Here’s another example of one of Jaylon Smith’s best attributes as a linebacker.

In this clip, you see Smith lining up as a middle linebacker and drop into zone coverage. This is an area of his game that will be a huge benefit in the passing game for the Cowboys defense. He is a tremendous coverage linebacker.

First, Smith drops the proper depth needed to get underneath coverage on the wide receiver. Then, he keeps his eyes on Tyrone Swoopes and upon seeing him tuck the ball to scramble, makes the correct decision to come downhill and make an impressive open field tackle.

This is no easy thing to do considering Swoopes is 6’5″, 250 and can be dangerous with the ball in his hands in the open field.

With Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee, the Cowboys defense will have two really good coverage linebackers.

In the next and final clip, I wanted to show you how Smith can impact the play without even making the tackle.

Here you see Smith lining up in man-to-man coverage on the slot receiver.

At the snap of the ball, the Longhorns attempted to throw a wide receiver screen, but Smith diagnosed and reacted to the play instantly, thus creating indecision by the WR.

The wide receivers indecision on what to do after seeing Smith bearing down on him to make the tackle causes him to retreat field and end up getting tackled for approximately a 10 yard loss.

I just thought this was a great example of how Jaylon Smith can impact the play without actually being in on the play himself. He is just that good of a player.

Overall, the Dallas Cowboys and in particularly Rod Marinelli, have to be excited to get Jaylon Smith on the field. He could possibly help take this defense reach a different level.

I know I for one am somewhat patiently waiting to see him back on the field in pads. I really believe he is going to be a difference maker on defense for the Dallas Cowboys for years to come.

Are you looking forward to seeing Jaylon Smith on the field for the Cowboys?

Let me here what you think about Jaylon Smith’s return and the possible impact he has on the Dallas Cowboys in the comment section below.

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59 thoughts on “Jaylon Smith: Breaking Down His Much Anticipated Return”

  1. But when you say, “100%” you’re still not saying “the nerve is firing” (whatever that means), am I right?

    • The nerve in his knee is regenerating or “firing”. That basically means that there won’t be any nerve damage, which was the concern. Smith has also said he his close to returning to his 4.4 speed. Everything is pointing to him making a full recovery by the start of the 2017 season.

  3. I’m anxious to see the kid make it but knowing The DC’s 2nd round pick “luck” or history (whatever it is) I’m still reserved.Sean Lee was a 2nd rounder & it’s only taken 6 years to get him on the field for a full season.

  4. Great article! I am really excited about this kid. He looks fast enough to play safety! You need two legit linebackers in this league to have a good defense. I see the cowboys winning for years to come because of this draft class!!!

    • Thanks for reading. It’s always good to get positive feedback. Hopefully the 2017 draft class is just as good as the 2016.

  5. listen people jaylon smith is awesome he can cover he’s fast so we have two great linebackers we need a passrusher and a lock down cornerback get rid of carr

    • I agree we need a dominant pass rusher. Unfortunately, they don’t grow on trees. They are hard to come by and come at a high price in free agency.

        • The Cowboys need to stick to their board. If DE or CB is the top player on their board draft them. But, if a WR or TE is the higher rated player you kind of have to go that direction. Of course, there are tiebreakers where if similar ranked players are there, you go with the position of need.

      • Yeah but imagine the speed on the outside if Hitchens could hold down the middle. It would be even better for them to be able to switch up in different looks and that would make our LB group Strong.

        • I like the idea of providing different looks with the linebackers, but I don’t know how well Smith would do is a strong side LB. Maybe an obvious passing situations where he could be used as an extra pass rusher.

          • Yes, that”s it and he could be used like Davis in Carolina and Miller in Denver because we know MarinellI likes Flexibility. I feel throwing him in the middle taking on 300 lb linemen right now opposed to using his quickness against TEs would be a mistake.

          • I think we will see Smith play the majority of his snaps at MLB. That’s what they drafted him to do, but that’s doesn’t mean they won’t use him differently in certain situations.

  8. brian tell me the truth do we need brandon carr he can’t cover a pregnant lady get rid of him williams to catches with his body not his hands we need a reciever cornerback get rid of free to he hold to mush and a passrusher

    • I would be opposed to bringing Brandon Carr back. I think he gets judged by the $50 million contract he signed. He is reliable and hasn’t missed a game in his entire career.

  9. and move byron jones at cornerback and get a safety via free agency andscandrick is always hurt and gets beat alot

    • I actually believe that Byron Jones is better at safety. He made a lot of really good plays last season, but unfortunately everybody only remembers the bad ones. He will only continue to get better, especially if they can improve their pass rush.

      • brian i understand he never misses a game but carr gets beat a lot and 1 interseption in 5 years come on we can do better and free he is another guy we need out holding penalties getting beat sack elliott ran a 65 yarder holding free come on forget he has a year left we got collins and cooper

        • I don’t disagree about Carr. I believe they will upgrade the CB position either through free agency or the draft. They can do that and still possibly bring back Carr for added depth at an affordable price. The only problem about getting rid of Free is there isn’t anybody to take his spot. Collins is a better OG and Cooper is a free agent. If Chaz Green can remain healthy it might be his job to lose.

        • Hopefully 32 can use the off-season and get healthy. I’m not sure he was ever fully healthy the entire year last season.

          • It is going to be really interesting to see what the Cowboys do at right tackle. This draft class isn’t the best when it comes to offensive lineman. But, I do agree with you that all of these positions need to be addressed.

          • I think we should go after an Athletic LT in the draft that no one has high on their board in maybe the 6th round and move him to RT. A hidden gem could be found from a small School or maybe a pure RT that we have scouted early. I always feel Scouting is the most important part of the draft.

          • I’m sure they will be doing their due diligence in researching all of these draft prospects. To me, scouting offensive lineman is the hardest of all of the positions.

        • I’m not sure which Florida CB you’re talking about, Teez Tabor or Quincy Wilson, but I like them both.

          • brian the cowboys are talking smith as a pass rusher i don’t know maybe sometimes but he’s a solid linebacker we need to address that draft day or free agency we need a reciever for williams and a shut down corner wilson from florida if available

          • Using Smith as a pass rusher in certain situations makes sense, but I think he will be the starting MLB. This is a pretty good draft to find a WR to replace Williams. This draft is also deep at CB. I think the Cowboys can definitely find some rookies in this draft class that could start this season.

          • brian martin listen what do you think the boys need to do first in the draft a wideout or a passrusher or a couple of cornerbacks

          • I think they need to stick to their draft board and take the best player available. If you start drafting because of needs, then you’re passing up good players and that could end up getting you in trouble.

          • brian good evening listen i am a hard core cowboy fan listen we need to get this defense legit allright it’s been a long time one good thing we have we’re young so we have to get another reciever for williams we need a right tackle we need cornerbacks a passrusher unless tapper comes around and lawrence

          • It’s still way too early to even give an educated guess. Really need to see what they do in free agency first. Positions like CB, DE, WR, TE, and RT will all certainly be in play. Really just about any position except QB and RB.

  11. brian good evening what’s up free agency is coming if we still have free we’re in trouble

    • The word is he’s contemplating retirement. He’s been serviceable, but they could definitely use an upgrade.

  12. brian long time listen i’am hearing that terrall mcclain might not be back wow that will be a tough lost but free one more disaater year

    • Terrell McClain seems to be receiving quite a bit of interest in free agency. We will have to wait and see what his market value is, but it looks like it will be unlikely he will return to the Cowboys. Personally, I think I’m okay with that. Cedric Thornton should be able to fill in nicely.

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