The Sean Lee question

[windjc]

I looked through a few pages and it looks like most people want to avoid this question, but what do we do with Sean Lee both for the rest of the year and for next. I have to think there are a variety of situations where we can use any combination of LVE, Lee, and Smith in the short term and still get the most out of them... but looking ahead to next year. No way is Lee worth a $7 million base contract to us anymore, I would say keep him, but make him take a decent sized paycheck to play here next year.

Even when healthy there has been a considerable drop off in his play. LVE is simply the better player at this point. Sean can be a sub, but I hope he doesnt get more run than that. Love the guy of course, and as long as he is sub quality let him play. He will need to take a pay cut going forward.

 

[erod]

They aren't cutting Sean Lee.

 

[davidariust24]

I keep Lee as long as he wants to play and is able to when he's on the field at a high level, and I'm not worried about the cost. A linebacker corps with Lee, Vander Esch and Smith is better than one with Vander Esch, Smith and Wilson even if we only have Lee for half a season and he's taken off the field when we use two-LB sets.

Sometimes I think we're more concerned as fans about price than we are quality.

I agree. You're never going to have a perfect team in football Lee is very good and even if he is coming off the bench and making more money. I'd let him do that because he is such a great player and influence on Smith ,LVE and the entire defense. He is still the leader of the defense

 

[CWR]

Like I said 6 weeks ago, Lee should be rotated in to preserve his health. Hes simply not a full time player. I love his game but his body cant hold up. Fortunately LVE is miles ahead of expectations.

 

[davidariust24]

They aren't cutting Sean Lee.

No way. He is now the respected vet and leader on the team now that witten is gone. He is still very good. He plays on a different beat that LVE and Smith. While they are stronger and faster , he still see the play faster and anticipates what next better. How romo is in the TV booth is how Lee is on the field. He knows what's next almost all the time, and that's what makes up the difference for his difference in speed and athleticism vs smith and LVE.

 

[charron]

I hope they at least talk to him about extending him beyond 2019 to lessen his 2019 cap hit and making him come off the bench like Dirk. If he wants to hang it up, that's cool we can then cut him and save 7mil or he can retire. But I hope they don't treat him like Dez and simply cut him before talking to him. Too bad we couldn't negotiate Dez coming off the bench or playing beside Cooper. Lee coming off the bench behind the wonder duo of LVE and Smith would be amazing.

 

[davidariust24]

Even when healthy there has been a considerable drop off in his play. LVE is simply the better player at this point. Sean can be a sub, but I hope he doesnt get more run than that. Love the guy of course, and as long as he is sub quality let him play. He will need to take a pay cut going forward.

I dont think LVE is a better player, YET! ,but he probably will be. Lee can still get you 12 to 20 tackles like that! With tackles for loss and interceptions and/or fumble recoveries . Hes not getting a pay cut. He is still the leader of the defense even if he came off of the bench. He still sees the game better than LVE and.smith. they just have more natural abilities than he has.

 

[tyke1doe]

Let him heal. If we make the playoffs, he'll be ready and his leadership could have an intangible impact.

 

[davidariust24]

I hope they at least talk to him about extending him beyond 2019 to lessen his 2019 cap hit and making him come off the bench like Dirk. If he wants to hang it up, that's cool we can then cut him and save 7mil or he can retire. But I hope they don't treat him like Dez and simply cut him before talking to him. Too bad we couldn't negotiate Dez coming off the bench or playing beside Cooper. Lee coming off the bench behind the wonder duo of LVE and Smith would be amazing.

I really feel they should wait until after next season then renegotiate. After this season I expect to see growth next year and if that happens then it's time to talk about reducing salary but not right off the bat after LVEs first season and Jaylons first healthy season., but after next season it's time to use that money to pay Jaylon.

 

[Clove]

Both the Joneses and Garrett have a strong affinity for Sean Lee and I think he'd retire before playing a snap anywhere else.

I'd make him an assistant to Ben Bloom and give him the option to bow out gracefully. That or grab him a hamstring made of steel and keep him as depth.

Yeah, too bad they couldn't do that with Ware who was a more impactful player at his position.

 

[ClappingCarrot]

Yeah, too bad they couldn't do that with Ware who was a more impactful player at his position.

Maybe D. Ware wasn't a "Garrett guy."

Agreed.

 

[Verdict]

A healthy Lee is a nice problem to have. He is one the best LBs in the league when healthy. I would love to see a scheme devised that has Lee and LVE on the field together. They are two best LBs on the roster. Lee will be gone after this season.

Let's be real. Lee USED TO be one of the best linebackers in the league when healthy. He's not the same player he was even a few years ago. He was a liability earlier this year, and teams were intentionally trying to match up players on him in the passing game.

Just because a player has played well in the past and is a fan favorite does not mean that he gets a pass. LVE is substantially better than Lee as a rookie.

If the team is smart, Lee will be an overpaid, quality backup for this season and riding the pine. That's fine for this year, but next year the team can assess options with Lee.

The team needs to be honest with itself about Lee's ability at this point and assess him for who he is NOW, not who he was.

 

[nightrain]

Let's be real. Lee USED TO be one of the best linebackers in the league when healthy. He's not the same player he was even a few years ago. He was a liability earlier this year, and teams were intentionally trying to match up players on him in the passing game.

Just because a player has played well in the past and is a fan favorite does not mean that he gets a pass. LVE is substantially better than Lee as a rookie.

If the team is smart, Lee will be an overpaid, quality backup for this season and riding the pine. That's fine for this year, but next year the team can assess options with Lee.

The team needs to be honest with itself about Lee's ability at this point and assess him for who he is NOW, not who he was.

So explain why the Cowboys D went south last year when Lee went down with injury. His durability is certainly a liability, but let's at least be honest about his production when healthy. Teams are always trying to to get match ups with LBs. They are the biggest liability in coverage. That's as old as the game itself.

 

[uvaballa]

..Funny how many count out Lee, when he could be a big factor if post season hits.

He could be a factor for a half or so.

 

[Knotamus]

Lee’s not going anywhere.. it’s a shame some people want to get rid of him already. Yea I know, he’s a health risk.. but he’s still a force when he’s on the field. At 7mil, his knowledge of the game and “on field” coaching up young bucks like Smith, LVE, or any other newcomer would be worth it alone. Lee understands his short comings and is a “team player” enough to step back and assist with making our current Lbers greater (I.e.- he help Jaylon just like he’s helping LVE this year) And since the other LBers on this team are being paid peanuts, it would be asinine to let Lee walk. Some should be ashamed of themselves. Lee is the type of player you hold on to until he retires.

 

[endersdragon]

They aren't cutting Sean Lee.

I would like to think so... but $7,000,000 would be a decent chunk of DLaws contract, possibly around half... just saying...

 

[Verdict]

So explain why the Cowboys D went south last year when Lee went down with injury. His durability is certainly a liability, but let's at least be honest about his production when healthy. Teams are always trying to to get match ups with LBs. They are the biggest liability in coverage. That's as old as the game itself.

Lee was an asset to the team last year. Early this year he looked like a complete liability. There have been times this year that he has, due to his recognition, made a play. One in particular probably accounted a game saving play, at the time it was made.

But LVE is significantly outplaying Lee. Anyone who doesn't see that isn't on point. At least that's the way I see it.

One more thing. Lee played putrid in his first few games this year. I'm not sure what was up with that. Maybe he was injured or whatever, but it was clear he wasn't the same player he was last year, especially early in the year.

 

[nightrain]

Lee was an asset to the team last year. Early this year he looked like a complete liability. There have been times this year that he has, due to his recognition, made a play. One in particular probably accounted a game saving play, at the time it was made.

But LVE is significantly outplaying Lee. Anyone who doesn't see that isn't on point. At least that's the way I see it.

One more thing. Lee played putrid in his first few games this year. I'm not sure what was up with that. Maybe he was injured or whatever, but it was clear he wasn't the same player he was last year, especially early in the year.

Like I said, it would be great if the coaches could get Lee and LVE on the field together. My praise of Lee does not come at the expense of LVE. To me the kid is the 2nd coming of Urlacher and the more time in these big games he can get the better. The Cowboys are still playing Lee this year and they should take advantage of his production whenever possible. He won't be a Cowboys player next year.

 

[Verdict]

Lee’s not going anywhere.. it’s a shame some people want to get rid of him already. Yea I know, he’s a health risk.. but he’s still a force when he’s on the field. At 7mil, his knowledge of the game and “on field” coaching up young bucks like Smith, LVE, or any other newcomer would be worth it alone. Lee understands his short comings and is a “team player” enough to step back and assist with making our current Lbers greater (I.e.- he help Jaylon just like he’s helping LVE this year) And since the other LBers on this team are being paid peanuts, it would be asinine to let Lee walk. Some should be ashamed of themselves. Lee is the type of player you hold on to until he retires.

He seems to be close to retirement. If he wants to play he is going to have to decide if he wants to be a part timer, or a team liability as a full time player.

 

[Verdict]

Like I said, it would be great if the coaches could get Lee and LVE on the field together. My praise of Lee does not come at the expense of LVE. To me the kid is the 2nd coming of Urlacher and the more time in these big games he can get the better. The Cowboys are still playing Lee this year and they should take advantage of his production whenever possible. He won't be a Cowboys player next year.

Maybe they should look to get Lee on the field in place of wilson.