Sean Lee Moving to SAM as Starter

ESisback

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I like our group of LBs a lot! Starters are top 5, AND we have decent backups with Thomas, Covington and March-Lillard.
 

JayFord

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Why are the simple things so complicated

We’re a 4-3 put lve at mid and smith and lee on the other two spots and then if we go 2 linebackers take lee off the field
 

TheCount

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No, I didnt know any of that. I asked you an honest question. But the thing most likely to keep Lee off the field are injuries, so this will likely be a non issue. He will be a "stater" for about three games and then get a nagging injury that will limit him all season.

I hope he's healthy all year, especially considering Wilson (SAM last year) played less than 30% of the offensive snaps. So if Lee can't survive playing 30% of the season, then he should probably retire and become an assistant coach for the team.
 

TheCount

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I expect that to look like the photo below with Lee in place of #48.

Marinelli calls Vander Esch (#55) the WLB in this alignment because Marinelli says the WLB is always on the side with the 3-tech ("travels with the 3-tech").

In practical terms, Vander Esch is really the SLB in this alignment.


I'm cool with that.
 

Whyjerry

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I can't find the most recent season, but, as of 2017, that number was 34%, if you include goalline.

Drafting and building a defense for anything other than nickel is dumb in today's NFL. Lee "Starting" at SAM is simply an honorary role. Kyle Wilber had the same spot two years ago lol.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2018/2017-defensive-personnel-analysis

Wow I was close. A lot of posters hate me here but man my genius shows from time to time. Thanks!
 

Future

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Wow I was close. A lot of posters hate me here but man my genius shows from time to time. Thanks!
Lol.

I think a lot of football fans aren't caught up to the reality of what NFL defenses are actually doing.
 

ScipioCowboy

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How many teams have a group of linebackers better than the Cowboys’?
 

links18

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I hope he's healthy all year, especially considering Wilson (SAM last year) played less than 30% of the offensive snaps. So if Lee can't survive playing 30% of the season, then he should probably retire and become an assistant coach for the team.

30 percent of snaps seems about right for Lee; if they want to call him a starter at that--fine.
 

DuncanIso

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I'm not so sure that the SAM lb'er will happen. The goal was to keep him out of traffic and reduce risk of injury when he was moved to WIL. Most of this chatter is just speculation.There is absolutely no reason, when he's healthy, that Lee can't play a significant roll on the field.

Agree.

It’s ridiculous to think SLee can’t play football.
 

jrumann59

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Lots of miles on those tires. I think this will make him a better player. Less snaps will mean more production and better health for Lee. Plus LVE and Smith are absolute beasts that CAN NOT come off the field. I like the move. The top 3 LBs in Dallas are the best in the league.
Not really but more "patches" than expected
 

DuncanIso

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I hope he's healthy all year, especially considering Wilson (SAM last year) played less than 30% of the offensive snaps. So if Lee can't survive playing 30% of the season, then he should probably retire and become an assistant coach for the team.

Wilson was TERRIBLE in coverage.

He had a built in trail technique.

There is a reason Wilson was not given a new contract.
 

DuncanIso

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SLee has played in 93 NFL games.

Realistically he could play for another 20-30 games at a high level.
 

pansophy

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Nobody in the NFL “deserves” to be a starter. That’s not how the league works.

The best players are supposed to start. If you want to actually win a championship that is. If that is Lee, that’s great. But he shouldn’t be “promised” to be a starter. He should only start if he proves he is the best for the job through training camp. Lee was hobbled all last season and not playing well for the most part. It sucks, but it’s the truth. He is pretty old for an NFL LB.

I wasn’t even disrespecting Lee with my comment.

And “I don’t deserve to be a fan”. That makes zero sense and is just a stupid, whiny retort.
Can't disagree -- though I think this situation is a little different.

The way I read this is that Lee didn't want to come back and be a backup despite being healthy because he was considered a 'progress stopper'. Like even though he plays better than LVE and Smith he sits because they want the young guys to continue to grow into the position. If Lee gets hurt then it's all moot anyway, and if LVE and Smith play better than Lee then I doubt Lee puts up a fuss about not starting. Last year he said that he shouldn't start because of how well they were playing.
 

xwalker

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Wow I was close. A lot of posters hate me here but man my genius shows from time to time. Thanks!
y
Lol.

I think a lot of football fans aren't caught up to the reality of what NFL defenses are actually doing.

It should be common knowledge that they play base around 1/4 to 1/3 of the snaps in most games on average.

It varies based on the opponent.

They generally but not always play Nickel against 3 WR sets.

Damien Wilson has been the SLB the past 3 seasons.

His snap counts:
2018 27.9%
2017 31%
2016 26.9%

Wilson did play some snaps in 2 LB sets in 2017 but it was minimal.

In 2018 slot CB Brown played 67.3% of the snaps.

Since the SLB exits when the slot CB enters the game, the 11th spot on defense can be considered shared between them.

CB Brown 67.3% + SLB Wilson 27.9% accounted for 95.2% of snaps at that 11th spot.

The other 5.8% comes from any snaps missed by Brown/Wilson or groups without either of them such as Big-Nickel with a Safety instead of SLB or Slot CB.

Oddly the Patriots used 3 WRs (11 personnel) less than most other teams in 2018.

The Rams used 11 personnel more than any other team.
 

northerncowboynation

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Can't disagree -- though I think this situation is a little different.

The way I read this is that Lee didn't want to come back and be a backup despite being healthy because he was considered a 'progress stopper'. Like even though he plays better than LVE and Smith he sits because they want the young guys to continue to grow into the position. If Lee gets hurt then it's all moot anyway, and if LVE and Smith play better than Lee then I doubt Lee puts up a fuss about not starting. Last year he said that he shouldn't start because of how well they were playing.

Pretty unselfish player in my book
 
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