Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith will continue to prove people wrong
By Nathan Jones
All the problems he had in 2017, not getting off blocks, not playing with intensity and so on seemed to disappear. Smith’s ability to run fast and hit hard reminded football fans on how it is possible to play tough defense in the modern NFL.
Perhaps the most notable play of Smith’s 2018 campaign came against the Houston Texans in Week 5. At the end of the second quarter, on the goal line, on fourth down, Houston’s quarterback Deshaun Watson broke out of the pocket.
Watson ran for the corner of the endzone, but Smith (who was charged with spying the quarterback) did not hesitate. Smith played textbook defense. From the angle of his run to the wood he laid on Watson, everything was perfect.
This play ended the Texans’ drive and put the Cowboys in a better position going into halftime. Plays like this were scattered throughout the season.
Owner/general manager, Jerry Jones, is where he is today because of taking risks. He took a chance on Smith in the draft and it is finally paying off.
Smith has also cemented his role in the “Hot Boyz” unit. Smith can drop back in coverage, play the run, and is an excellent pass rusher as well. Smith won on 27.8 percent of pass rushes, the most out of all qualifying off-ball linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.
In nickel packages against 11 personnel, Smith would run all sorts of stunts and rushes to collapse the center of the pocket, leaving Vander Esch and safety Jeff Heath to cover the running back and tight end.
Though he had an outstanding season, Smith was not named to the Pro Bowl. Vander Esch had to take the trip to Orlando Florida without his partner in crime. Rightfully so, Smith was frustrated with the outcome, as he even voiced his disagreement on social media.
Yet, Smith did not let this let down set him back. Out of all the adversity that has been placed in front of the linebacker, this was not going to define him. Smith continued to play with a chip on his shoulder– proving doubters wrong, and those who believed in him right.