With Sean Lee’s status uncertain and Anthony Hitchens not yet ready to return to action, the Cowboys are thin at linebacker ahead of their week four home game against the Los Angeles Rams. Preparing to face a Rams offense that features the suddenly competent Jared Goff and rejuvenated Todd Gurley, the Cowboys are preparing fullback Keith Smith to once again see snaps at LB.
With low numbers at LB, Keith Smith is going to play some scout team LB in practice today. Cowboys’ Swiss Army knife continues to do it all.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) September 28, 2017
A converted linebacker to begin with, Smith has made the most of his limited opportunities at FB while also being a critical special teams player. The constant trait needed here is the ability to diagnose plays with a nose for the football, which Smith has certainly done with steady consistency.
Defensive Coordinator Rod Marinelli relied heavily on his three-man defensive fronts against the Cardinals in week three, adding numbers to coverage with a healthy Jourdan Lewis back in the fold.
Cowboys Nation can potentially expect to see much more of this defensive look on Sunday afternoon to cover up for any deficiencies at LB – with Keith Smith ready to provide his best effort as always.
Certainly the few reps in the Cowboys offense for a FB, will let Smith do both should he look OK at LB. I like the idea of checking it out, you never know who will catch on at a different position.
In the late 1980’s Mark Tuinei was a DE for Landry. They moved him to OLT, I believe out of injury need. He turned into a dominant LT who was a big part of the 90’s run attack with Emmett Smith.
Very similar story with Todd Christensen moving from Cowboys FB, to cut, to a dominant Raiders TE. You never know.
Coach Marinelli is a freaking genius on defense doing more with less. It much be that old US Marine Corp MOJO to improvise, adapt and overcome. If Jerry Jones ever gives Coach Marinelli top defensive draft picks like he had in Chicago to get one of the best defenses in all of football, Dallas will be fantastic