'13 IN ATH Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame Man & Graduate)

[Emcee77]

Agreed. Spond is a solid to very solid player. But we're still talking about a player that averaged 3 tackles a game with no interceptions. He's good in pass coverage---good enough to draw praise from Kelly---but he's nowhere near insanely good at it. He still gets picked on from time to time and offers little in the way of negative plays (sacks, tackles for loss, etc.)

He does tackle well (unless it's Eddie Lacy) and he sets the edge well. The coaches for obvious reasons love this. But the Dog position could offer a lot more production in this system. For the amount of snaps that Spond played (staying on the field most of the time instead of adding a nickel back) we should see 70 tackles, a few interceptions, and generally more disruptiveness from his position.

2013 will probably be a study in staying conservative with Spond or going with a more explosive and dynamic option in Jaylon. As long as we're not playing Stanford or Michigan State I think Jaylon could see a lot of minutes.

He did have that one pick against BYU.

But I generally agree. Spond is solid but unspectacular. Last year we were playing conservatively to avoid exposing our DBs. Spond fit the bill perfectly. We weren't going to take chances blitzing the DOG anyway; we were just trying to keep everything in front of us. This year, we may look for a guy who is a little more explosive in the pass rush game. Not sure I really think Jaylon will pick things up fast enough to take the job full-time, but I think he could play a lot in passing situations.

 

[anarin]

Ideally, yes. That's one of the strengths of the 3-4; the ability to disguise blitzes and bring pressure from either edge.

We haven't had the personnel to present that sort of mirrored threat to opposing offenses yet, so your current understanding isn't wrong, per se; it's just a compromise solution. In a perfect world, we'd have a Jaylon Smith at both ROLB and DOLB.

Cloning..

Heres looking at you scientists.

 

[NDdomer2]

He did have that one pick against BYU.

But I generally agree. Spond is solid but unspectacular. Last year we were playing conservatively to avoid exposing our DBs. Spond fit the bill perfectly. We weren't going to take chances blitzing the DOG anyway; we were just trying to keep everything in front of us. This year, we may look for a guy who is a little more explosive in the pass rush game. Not sure I really think Jaylon will pick things up fast enough to take the job full-time, but I think he could play a lot in passing situations.

that is one more than our beloved manti had in three years starting at that point in his career. obviously nothing negative against manti in my statement but i only expect spond to get better after his first year starting.

 

[ND NYC]

you guys know more than me...was wondering if diacos defense is set up and played to not really have a "star" or those "highlight reel" type plays...rather, at its core, it is "assignment football" of the collective 11 guys where they would only really make "highlight reel" type plays if while handling their assignemnt the opportunity presented itself. (maybe part of this is why lynch who just wanted to improvise, always look for the sack, big play, and not play assignment football had a hard time here?)

 

[Whiskeyjack]

you guys know more than me...was wondering if diacos defense is set up and played to not really have a "star" or those "highlight reel" type plays...rather, at its core, it is "assignment football" of the collective 11 guys where they would only really make "highlight reel" type plays if while handling their assignemnt the opportunity presented itself.

3-4 defenses tend not to be as aggressive as 4-3 variants, but there's nothing inherent to the scheme that makes it so; for instance, Stanford runs a 3-4, and they had arguably the most disruptive front-7 in the country last year. But that was largely due to their having a pair of superstars at OLB.

Diaco hasn't had that kind of elite versatility at OLB yet, so he's been forced to play very conservatively; few blitzes and lots of zone coverage designed to prevent big plays. Now that we've got a player like Jaylon at OLB, Diaco will hopefully have the freedom to be more aggressive.

(maybe part of this is why lynch who just wanted to improvise, always look for the sack, big play, and not play assignment football had a hard time here?)

There were a lot of factors that went into Lynch's struggle, but an unwillingness to fulfill the 3-4 DEs less sexy roles probably played a part in it.

 

[Emcee77]

you guys know more than me...was wondering if diacos defense is set up and played to not really have a "star" or those "highlight reel" type plays...rather, at its core, it is "assignment football" of the collective 11 guys where they would only really make "highlight reel" type plays if while handling their assignemnt the opportunity presented itself. (maybe part of this is why lynch who just wanted to improvise, always look for the sack, big play, and not play assignment football had a hard time here?)

I think that describes Diaco's defense this year, but it won't always be like that. We played conservatively to avoid exposing our inexperienced DBs. A 3-4 defense like Diaco's can be VERY aggressive ... think of Dick LeBeau's best defenses with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's basically a similar 3-4 scheme, but with the right personnel, there is a lot of risk-taking and a lot of big plays like sacks and interceptions. I dream of Jaylon Smith as our Troy Polamalu, roving around, taking risks, making plays; or of our LBs terrorizing QBs like the Kevin Greene/Greg Lloyd "Blitzburgh" defenses of the 90s. When we get the right personnel, Diaco will tweak the scheme to be more aggressively disruptive, I think. We just aren't there yet.

 

[Luckylucci]

While I agree that diaco's defense has been relatively conservative he's definitely picked his spots and done so well in my opinion in some big games. He blitzed the heck out Manuel in the 1st half (FSU) and he blitzed manti up the middle against Oklahoma Michigan, and Michigan. Those are just a few that come to mind. So, I wouldn't say that its necessarily conservative more so than he likes to pick his spots to come of with creative blitzes. Also didn't he blitz Russell from his CB spot a couple of times this year.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think that describes Diaco's defense this year, but it won't always be like that. We played conservatively to avoid exposing our inexperienced DBs. A 3-4 defense like Diaco's can be VERY aggressive ... think of Dick LeBeau's best defenses with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's basically a similar 3-4 scheme, but with the right personnel, there is a lot of risk-taking and a lot of big plays like sacks and interceptions. I dream of Jaylon Smith as our Troy Polamalu, roving around, taking risks, making plays; or of our LBs terrorizing QBs like the Kevin Greene/Greg Lloyd "Blitzburgh" defenses of the 90s. When we get the right personnel, Diaco will tweak the scheme to be more aggressively disruptive, I think. We just aren't there yet.

Minor quibble, but the beauty of the 3-4 is that it allows for creative but relatively low-risk zone blitzing (that doesn't involve dropping a DL into coverage, like 4-3 teams have to do). Defensive coordinators generally prefer to rush 4-5 guys and drop 6-7 guys into coverage, and the 3-4 allows them to do that on virtually every down while also mixing up where the 4-5 rushers are coming from. 4-3 defenses struggle to match that unpredictability.

While I agree that diaco's defense has been relatively conservative he's definitely picked his spots and done so well in my opinion in some big games. He blitzed the heck out Manuel in the 1st half (FSU) and he blitzed manti up the middle against Oklahoma Michigan, and Michigan. Those are just a few that come to mind. So, I wouldn't say that its necessarily conservative more so than he likes to pick his spots to come of with creative blitzes. Also didn't he blitz Russell from his CB spot a couple of times this year.

The fact that we can count Diaco's notable blitzes on one hand is a pretty strong testament to how conservative he's been.

 

[NDdomer2]

Minor quibble, but the beauty of the 3-4 is that it allows for creative but relatively low-risk zone blitzing (that doesn't involve dropping a DL into coverage, like 4-3 teams have to do). Defensive coordinators generally prefer to rush 4-5 guys and drop 6-7 guys into coverage, and the 3-4 allows them to do that on virtually every down while also mixing up where the 4-5 rushers are coming from. 4-3 defenses struggle to match that unpredictability.



The fact that we can count Diaco's notable blitzes on one hand is a pretty strong testament to how conservative he's been.

Out of the 3-4 yes, but blitzes total, I disagree. Be blitzed almost every time when we were in our goalline D. most notably against USC and Stanford.

 

[FWIRISH]

At the best of the midwest combine sampson caught up with Mike Ledo who runs AWP in Fort Wayne where jaylon trains. Long story short Jaylon is up to 228 lbs and is looking great. Now obviously Ledo is pro-jaylon but he thinks Jaylon will make it interesting this summer. Jaylon stepping foot on campus in the 230 range wll be big. This is not to add fuel to the debate just to give an update on a fan favorite.

I spoke with Ledo about this, and Jaylon will be at 240 coming in. 12 more pounds to go and plenty of time to get there. He will add 12 more pounds of mean and fast. Smith will be very ready to step in and compete for PT. The guys at AWP are very serious, and very good at what they do. It will not be bad weight for the sake of just adding pounds. Can't wait to see the things he will do at 240!!!!!!!!

 

[rtrn2glory]

question: did jaylon play basketball this year??

 

[PANDFAN]

question: did jaylon play basketball this year??

i believe he said he wasn't ...and i never saw anything to suggest that he did

 

[dad4aa]

question: did jaylon play basketball this year??

He did not play basketball this year. He took a part-time job and focused on training for next year.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

While we're on this subject, I still believe that the only reason luers wouldn't let Jaylon be an EE was so he could carry through basketball team again.

They claimed it was so he could "have all the high school experiences" which I know some schools really push for.

But I feel like they wanted Jaylon for basketball, glad he decided to sit out.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Out of the 3-4 yes, but blitzes total, I disagree. Be blitzed almost every time when we were in our goalline D. most notably against USC and Stanford.

Goalline packages are a completely different animal. But you're right.

 

[NDdomer2]

Goalline packages are a completely different animal. But you're right.

I was being very nit picky as I knew your comment was about or base defense from in between the 20's but just thought I would note that the goalline is the one area where Bobby D does not hold back on sending the house.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I am glad to see you guys remain friends.

Let' see: No one knows what changes are in store for this year's defense; No one knows who will win one battle for a starting position; The only thing we know, (as Whiskey and NDdomer [my lights dim at the mention of that kind of brainpower, do yours?] mentioned) Bobby D, better change his tendencies this year or every time he faces a coach like Nick Saban, he will get lit up.

 

[eNDzone]

I am glad to see you guys remain friends.

Let' see: No one knows what changes are in store for this year's defense; No one knows who will win one battle for a starting position; The only thing we know, (as Whiskey and NDdomer [my lights dim at the mention of that kind of brainpower, do yours?] mentioned) Bobby D, better change his tendencies this year or every time he faces a coach like Nick Saban, he will get lit up.

Seems to be the thing that Kelly coached teams are best at . Learning from last years mistakes.

 

[Ironman8]

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[Me2SouthBend]

Awesome.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I can't say enough about this kid's character. Jaylon is going to be a leader on and off the field.

 

[PANDFAN]

did butkus seem disinterested to anyone else???

 

[rocket66]

This kid is so special, we're damn lucky to have him at ND. Honest question, has ND ever landed this much elite talent in one class on defense? Three 5*'s and multiple 4* players.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

did butkus seem disinterested to anyone else???

And to think, he used to be really good at faking interest in high school sports...

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[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>222lbs</p>— Jaylon Smith (@JaeeSmiff9ENT) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaeeSmiff9ENT/status/309814249801269249">March 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ironman8]

Jaylon makes mutants jealous.

 

[TheChosen1]

15-20 more to go as he gets older

 

[JughedJones]

Butkus: Are you into the weight room?

Jaylon: Everything up till now has been pretty much God given.


Holy ****.

The kid's gonna be an animal.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Butkus: Are you into the weight room?

Jaylon: Everything up till now has been pretty much God given.

Butkus: Do you even lift, bro?

Jaylon: That just wouldn't be fair.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Jacked.