Sean Lee

Verdict said:

No one is suggesting he is on his way out yet but time marches on. No one expected the first preseason game last year to be the end of Romo either, but that's what happened last year. It just happened that we had really good depth at QB last year, we just didn't know it going into the season.

Jaylon may end up being Lee's replacement rather than his side kick. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to us this year at LB. it would be great to have Jaylon play beside Lee as General Lee II.

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I'm glad you feel that way, especially so, since we have more depth this year than we've had in a good while. I think Jaylon will take over for Hitchens very possibly by the time our bye week (6) is over, assuming it isn't to begin the year. Damien Wilson will be a solid starter on the strong side with Hitchens to replace him at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if either Mark Nzeocha and or John Lotulelei are in the mix as well.

There are several others that also bear testing in TC to determine their fates. Final cuts might contribute at that point, too. We should have LB depth waiting in line by the time the regular season starts. The next draft could well be one that sees even more LB help on the way. Not a problem, as far as I can tell.

Sean Lee will play into his 30's. I will say just for ***** and giggles another 3/4 years...

ActualCowboysFan said:

Throwing All Pros and rookies out with the trash. Verdict got no brakes

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Maybe you didn't read my post that closely. I asked how many good years everyone thinks he has left. I didn't say we need to throw him out with the trash as a washed up has been. Lol.

Bullflop said:

I'm glad you feel that way, especially so since we have more depth this year than we've had in a good while. I think Jaylon will take over for Hitchens very possibly by the time our bye week (6) is over, assuming it isn't to begin the year. Damien Wilson will be a solid starter on the strong side with Hitchens to replace him at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if either Mark Nzeocha and or John Lotulelei are in the mix as well. There are several others that also bear testing in TC to determine their fates. Final cuts might contribute at that point, too. We should have LB depth waiting in line by the time the regular season starts. The next draft might well be one that sees more LB help on the way. Not a problem.

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Hitchens is a guy you want as a backup. As a starter he is marginal. He seems to be a very smart player who is limited physically, predominantly in the speed area. He isn't a great coverage linebacker. You want him on your team as quality depth, but probably shouldn't depend on him for more than that. Ideally you would want to play him in spot duty only.

Nzoacha is a guy who I have been wanting to see develop. He seems to have the physical ability, but he hasn't been able to get on the field. He is a break out. possibility if he can stay healthy.

CowboysYanksLakers said:

Sean Lee will play into his 30's. I will say just for ****s and giggles another 3/4 years...

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It would be nice to see him last that long. The smart money may be betting the under on that one though.

I don't go with ge has lost a step, especially with the year he had this past year. With all the injuries and time he has missed he doesn't have an abundance amount of wear and tear on his body opposed to players at that position who hasn't missed much time.

Verdict said:

Hitchens is a guy you want as a backup. As a starter he is marginal. He seems to be a very smart player who is limited physically, predominantly in the speed area. He isn't a great coverage linebacker. You want him on your team as quality depth, but probably shouldn't depend on him for more than that. Ideally you would want to play him in spot duty only.

Nzoacha is a guy who I have been wanting to see develop. He seems to have the physical ability, but he hasn't been able to get on the field. He is a break out. possibility if he can stay healthy.

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My reference to Hitchens replacing Wilson S/B in the event of injury, which I failed to describe as such.

Apologies for my carelessness there. Damien Wilson is certainly more reliable, no question about that.

Hitchens or Nzeocha might also start at MLB to possibly be replaced by Jaylon Smith around week six.

CowboysYanksLakers said:

Sean Lee will play into his 30's.

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I will guarantee that statement given Sean Lee turns 31 in 3 weeks.

I'd like to see us target LB high next draft (I voted DL, S, and LB in the poll in the Draft Zone), but not out of concern for Lee. More out of concern for Jaylon. If he doesn't play to the level we think he will, we will still have a hole at MLB. Hitchens is a great backup, more than solid, but he's not a viable starter.

Even if Jaylon is the stud a great many of us feel he'll be, it still wouldn't be bad to use a top-3 pick on a LB next draft, and in a year or two, target one in the top 1-2 rounds.

Can never have enough defense. With Dak, the OL, and Zeke (and Dez), we should be concentrating on the defense for the next two-three years with our premium picks, and selecting LB should be very much a part of that equation.

I see Lee as being above average-great for the next 4 years, up to age 35, due to his relative freshness from missing so much time in his 20's. Elite LBs play well into their mid-30's, and Sean Lee has proven he's elite.

Howboutdemcowboys31 said:

Lost a step? He had the best season of his career and was All Pro

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Yep. And even if he does "lose a step", he's such an intelligent player that he knows where the play's going as soon as the ball is snapped, so his awareness makes up for a little loss of speed. He's good for another three or four years as long as he stays healthy, IMO.

Howboutdemcowboys31 said:

Lost a step? He had the best season of his career and was All Pro

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Yeah, but still. It's fun to throw out nonsense and be negative.

Lee came out of the middle, can see Jaylon doing the same in a few years, maybe even give Lee some snaps off during a game and let Jaylon or even Damion get some experience at the Will........Lee played too many snaps last year, the Will position shelters him, but still.......Rod needs to find someone he can trust to rotate to some degree and extend Lee's career.

edit........well, D. Wilson drops out of the picture........oh well, life goes on. cant fix stupid.

perrykemp said:

I will guarantee that statement given Sean Lee turns 31 in 3 weeks.

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I failed to add mid/late 30's.

2-3 years but we need to draft his replacement next April. With Smith's injury history, Wilsons recent arrest, and hitchens being a free agent next offseason we will be ultra thin at LB.