News: Will The Position Switch Help Sean Lee?

[CCBoy]

Will The Position Switch Help Sean Lee?
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/17-will-the-position-switch-help-sean-lee



FRISCO, Texas – Sean Lee’s back for a 10th season with the Cowboys – and likely in a different role than we’ve seen from the veteran linebacker in the past.

Plagued by hamstring injuries for two straight seasons, the 32-year-old Lee contemplated his football future after the team’s divisional-round playoff loss to the Rams. But he and the Cowboys agreed to a restructured contract for 2019, the final year of his current deal.

Now Lee is preparing for new responsibilities at the strong-side (SAM) linebacker spot alongside breakout linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, who stepped up last year while Lee missed nine games due to injury...

But as Dave said, perhaps Lee won’t be asked to play 50-60 snaps a game anymore. Last year’s starting SAM linebacker, Damien Wilson, played less than 30 percent of the defense’s total snaps. If that helps him play at his optimum for a full 16 games, so much the better. I know this: Lee was the best linebacker on the field in that Rams loss, and his presence (even in a smaller role) still makes this defense better.

 

[Doomsday77]

This answer is not earth shattering but I/we gotta believe we are a better team with Sean Lee on the field than without. There is no one on this team capable of deciphering a play faster than he can. He'll make the other two young guns even better this year.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

Lee has the experience, desire and instincts to succeed at any of the three linebacking positions. The only knock on him has been his durability. I'm hoping for his sake as well as the Cowboys that the lighter workload be accompanied by a little luck. I have little doubt that when the opposing quarterback looks over the line of scrimmage and sees Lee, Smith & Vander Esch, caution and concern becomes part of the equation.

 

[CCBoy]

Lee has the experience, desire and instincts to succeed at any of the three linebacking positions. The only knock on him has been his durability. I'm hoping for his sake as well as the Cowboys that the lighter workload be accompanied by a little luck. I have little doubt that when the opposing quarterback looks over the line of scrimmage and sees Lee, Smith & Vander Esch, caution and concern becomes part of the equation.

I'm feeling that Lee's hammies will hold up better with him on the strong side.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't think it will. I mean, in today's NFL, the Strong Side sees fewer snaps, that's true but the snaps they do see are still more physical and Lee has never been that kind of LB. He doesn't need to be stacking against pulling Guards or standing in on the Wham. I don't think it helps him but I hope I'm 100% wrong on that.

 

[CCBoy]

I don't think it will. I mean, in today's NFL, the Strong Side sees fewer snaps, that's true but the snaps they do see are still more physical and Lee has never been that kind of LB. He doesn't need to be stacking against pulling Guards or standing in on the Wham. I don't think it helps him but I hope I'm 100% wrong on that.

Lee handles head up situations by beating the blocker to a point. That, and his demands to make dynamic changes in direction will be a lot easier on the strong side. Lee isn't dainty, now...

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Lee handles head up situations by beating the blocker to a point. That, and his demands to make dynamic changes in direction will be a lot easier on the strong side. Lee isn't dainty, now...

A lot easier to do that when you are playing MLB or WOL, because it's easier to scrap. SLB, part of the job is to engage blocks. Besides, he's not getting quicker and his agility isn't getting better. I just think it's a physical position to play and that's never been the best use of his talents. As I said, I hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am.

 

[CCBoy]

A lot easier to do that when you are playing MLB or WOL, because it's easier to scrap. SLB, part of the job is to engage blocks. Besides, he's not getting quicker and his agility isn't getting better. I just think it's a physical position to play and that's never been the best use of his talents. As I said, I hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am.

Speed at the NFL, is over half - identification. That provides both technique positional advantage and still gets Lee quicker to his point desired. He can be selective and chose when he makes a dominance move, now. One can still set up a blocker, believe me. Oh, and he isn't a 90 pound weakling also. With functional hams this year, I'd give him high mark anticipation, even at the strong position. He has full talents and he still will see more plays via packages.

This well could be a career extender as was rotation for older defensive linemen, in the Cowboys past.

The dominant feature, being an attacker in a defensive scheme designed to do just that...and in multiple player useage.

 

[ItzKelz]

Having chronic reoccuring injuries with your hammy's over several years is pretty much a condition. Giving him the Romo treatment with every Wed practice off didn't help. Drafting his replacement LVE and taking reps away didn't help. I hope he can stay healthy because our defense could be a Cowboy all time great IMO if he can. But at this point it is not a matter of IF but WHEN

 

[CCBoy]

Having chronic reoccuring injuries with your hammy's over several years is pretty much a condition. Giving him the Romo treatment with every Wed practice off didn't help. Drafting his replacement LVE and taking reps away didn't help. I hope he can stay healthy because our defense could be a Cowboy all time great IMO if he can. But at this point it is not a matter of IF but WHEN

I'm just glad the above isn't provided by a physician or team trainer...

Mid thirty is still a pretty young man, physically. Especially with the conditioning in a professional sport and a committed player such as Lee.

Oh, you are probably right...after walking around sports locker rooms, his toe nails are probably all infected with fungus as well.

 

[ItzKelz]

I'm just glad the above isn't provided by a physician or team trainer...

Mid thirty is still a pretty young man, physically. Especially with the conditioning in a professional sport and a committed player such as Lee.

Romo was young

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Speed at the NFL, is over half - identification. That provides both technique positional advantage and still gets Lee quicker to his point desired. He can be selective and chose when he makes a dominance move, now. One can still set up a blocker, believe me. Oh, and he isn't a 90 pound weakling also. With functional hams this year, I'd give him high mark anticipation, even at the strong position. He has full talents and he still will see more plays via packages.

This well could be a career extender as was rotation for older defensive linemen, in the Cowboys past.

The dominant feature, being an attacker in a defensive scheme designed to do just that...and in multiple player useage.

Again, if we were talking about another position, I would probably agree but SOL is not the attacking position you see with MLB or WOL. Again, the job is to meet blocks. Yeah, you can recognize where you need to be and that might help get you there a little quicker but if you are recognizing where you need to be to meet the pulling Guard, so what. You still have to engage that block. We can dance around this all day but you still got stack and that's not, and never has been the strength of his game. I don't think it helps him. That's my opinion on it.

 

[CCBoy]

Romo was young

Two broken collar bones, and cracked ribs mean a little different picture concerning health?

Oh, and was the offensive line fixed to remove that...or afterwards?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Having chronic reoccuring injuries with your hammy's over several years is pretty much a condition. Giving him the Romo treatment with every Wed practice off didn't help. Drafting his replacement LVE and taking reps away didn't help. I hope he can stay healthy because our defense could be a Cowboy all time great IMO if he can. But at this point it is not a matter of IF but WHEN

Exactly right.

 

[ItzKelz]

Two broken collar bones, and cracked ribs mean a little different picture concerning health?

Oh, and was the offensive line fixed to remove that...or afterwards?

The 2 years that Romo did not have a good to great OL doesn't account for Romo being injury prone and health concerns every time some got near him. Same with Lee except worse because he doesn't even have to be in contact with a player or even running for his hammy to go. It is what it is. Love them both but they both could use some Witten blood

 

[CCBoy]

Again, if we were talking about another position, I would probably agree but SOL is not the attacking position you see with MLB or WOL. Again, the job is to meet blocks. Yeah, you can recognize where you need to be and that might help get you there a little quicker but if you are recognizing where you need to be to meet the pulling Guard, so what. You still have to engage that block. We can dance around this all day but you still got stack and that's not, and never has been the strength of his game. I don't think it helps him. That's my opinion on it.

In college, I played, at linebacker, head up on offensive tackles. They, on the average, were four inches taller and 60-70 pounds heavier than myself. I still started and excelled. Tricks and set up are real...as well as technique. Once read, a linebacker can still beat a slower lineman to a point...whether at an angle or straight up. I loved to hit the tackles head with my helmet, pissing him off, and the raging bear stood up...a sweeping move had me upfield making a play. At this position, flex isn't the dominant or most important aspect, as is boxing in a strong side run. Then, the defensive tackle and middle linebacker fills area. Throw in a safety, head hunter, and the mix is again lethal. Naw, he is still a fully functional contributor, unless his hammies finally go. That, myself, I don't foresee, even with pessimism.

 

[JoeKing]

Help him do what?

 

[CCBoy]

The 2 years that Romo did not have a good to great OL doesn't account for Romo being injury prone and health concerns every time some got near him. Same with Lee except worse because he doesn't even have to be in contact with a player or even running for his hammy to go. It is what it is. Love them both but they both could use some Witten blood

Injury prove? Ha...uncalled late hits and now in the NFL, uncontrolled hits upon a quarterback. No difference? Ha...

I like the player, a lot. He adds a lot to this defense, unless hurt. I won't sell for a discount, as he has earned 'grizzled veteran' in this fan's book. I won't cheap shot him until he's gone.

 

[Typhus]

Exactly right.

But having Lee still on this roster might play a bigger role now than when Lee was a starter.
When Lee is healthy he shows HOF ability,, the only problem is that he has never been healthy.
Lee being LB3 is a good thing,, would be even better if he was LB4.
All that means is that we would have the deepest LB core in the league,,, maybe historically..lol
Having Lee on this roster is not a problem,,, having Lee on this roster healthy always has been.

 

[glimmerman]

When Lee is healthy he is awesome. After watching him last year at the seasons end he seemed to not be able to stay healthy and looked half speed. Hope it’s not lingering and age. And comes in healthy.