News: Cowboys LB Sean Lee not going to avoid contact

[CCBoy]

Cowboys LB Sean Lee not going to avoid contact

Mark Lane
FOX Sports Southwest
Aug 21, 2015 at 5:06p ET

http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/cowboys-lb-sean-lee-not-going-to-avoid-contact-082115


The biggest benefit of Sean Lee going from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker is the notion the oft-injured, defensive playmaker will see less contact, thus less opportunities to sustain injuries. However, Lee attests there still will be contact.

"I think if you're going to be around the football, there's going to be contact," Lee told "Shan & RJ" on Dallas-Fort Worth 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM]. "If you're linebacking, you got to hit and you've got to come downhill. So, to me, that's not necessarily true if you're around the football."

Entering his sixth year in the NFL, Lee has only played in 46 out of a possible 80 games in his career. The injuries sustained since 2010 alone include a dislocated wrist, torn ligaments in his right big toe, hamstring stain, sprained neck, and left ACL tear. Despite all of this, Lee will not alter the way he plays the game.

"I think, for me, injury-wise, I have to play the same way," said Lee. "I've got to go out there and get to the football and try to make plays. And if injuries come, well, then that's out of my control.

"When you get on the field and you play different, you're not going to be as effective. And I can't have that."...

 

[CCBoy]

http://www.foxsports.com/southwest/...ands-the-frustration-with-his-injuries-082115

Cowboys LB Sean Lee understands the frustration with his injuries

Mark Lane
FOX Sports Southwest
Aug 21, 2015 at 3:31p ET

Sadly, one of the things Cowboys fans can count on in the Jason Garrett era is linebacker Sean Lee missing games due to injury.

Lee has logged 46 games entering his sixth professional year, all with the Cowboys. Those 46 games are just shy of three seasons' worth of actual time on the field.

"Believe me: I understand the frustration with me being injured a lot," Lee told 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] on Friday. "I've had a ton of frustration. You feel when you're injured, you're letting people down. But people have supported me through this time through the injuries. And that's been a huge motivating factor for me to come back and play at a high level to hopefully help us win and continue to win and hopefully bring the fans what they deserve."

The 2010 second-round pick out of Penn State missed tore his left ACL in May 2014 and missed the whole year. Dallas fared well without Lee, going 12-4, winning the division, and defending AT&T Stadium in a wildcard bout with the Detroit Lions. But the Cowboys fell short 26-21 the next week in Green Bay. Maybe Lee's presence on the field could have stopped quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers once more to give Dallas one more meaningful possession.

For Lee, what is done is done.

"If I keep focusing on the injuries, which believe me, there have been tons of games that I have missed in college, in the NFL that I would have loved to have played in," said Lee. "But if I focus on that, the negativity is going to affect my rehab and I'm not going to come back the same and I'm not going to be able to have the great opportunity that I have ahead of me.

"So, that's what I focus on: being able to come back, being able to help this team, and looking forward to the future. Even though it's hard, that's what I did nonstop."

The Cowboys have kept Lee's workload light during the off-season and also during training camp. Lee could see his first preseason action since 2013 Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers in Levi's Stadium.

 

[T-RO]

It's true. Let it rip, Sean. It would be sheer joy to watch him play 16 games while relatively healthy.

 

[DallasDomination]

I saw Sean Lee's name on the header and the first thought that came to mind was " awe crap what did he hurt now "

 

[Spectre]

I saw Sean Lee's name on the header and the first thought that came to mind was " awe crap what did he hurt now "

I can't lie- I think the same. The guy's name has become synonymous with bad news.

Change our perception Lee! I'm rooting for the powers that to be to allow for a healthy career for him from here.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

It's true. Let it rip, Sean. It would be sheer joy to watch him play 16 games while relatively healthy.

You mean 19 games this season

 

[Bullflop]

Lee is more than likely correct in how he responds to claims that he'll see less contact than he did last season. Avoiding contact simply isn't in his DNA and I'm certain he'll do everything in his power to see just as much action and contact as he has had in the past.

He surely doesn't appear to own the durability that many other linebackers are blessed with, which certainly leaves him more vulnerable to injury than most. I can't help but wonder if a lack of flexibility might be a factor in his proneness to sustaining injury. Muscular specimens like himself often tend to display that characteristic.

Additionally, his determination and talent for seeking a lion's share of the playmaking action is bound to play a major role in a LBs proneness to injury as well. Despite his unfortunate past, let's hope the health issues that have dogged him before will be seriously lessened in 2015.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

No point in avoiding contact. If he's going to get hurt its going to happen either way whether it's in preseason or wherever it happens. Go full speed and hope for the best.

 

[mattjames2010]

He got hurt last year without making contact. It can happen at any time, it's a contact sport; you as a defender shouldn't be avoiding contact. Sean Lee is a professional and a competitor, he's one guy on this team I know will give 100% on the field and even off. No matter how many times he gets hurt, he's one of my favorite Dallas Cowboys.

Having said that, getting 10-13 games from Sean Lee this year will be huge. He's probably the smartest guy on the field when playing and can manage the defense.

 

[Sage3030]

He got hurt last year without making contact. It can happen at any time, it's a contact sport; you as a defender shouldn't be avoiding contact. Sean Lee is a professional and a competitor, he's one guy on this team I know will give 100% on the field and even off. No matter how many times he gets hurt, he's one of my favorite Dallas Cowboys.

Having said that, getting 10-13 games from Sean Lee this year will be huge. He's probably the smartest guy on the field when playing and can manage the defense.

There was contact. Martin bowled him over.

Otherwise, I completely agree.

 

[Teague31]

Best LB in football if he can stay on the field.

 

[erod]

A linebacker that avoids contact is called a plumber who used to play football.

 

[Galian Beast]

Huge fan of Sean Lee, this kid can play. Think he is completely overlooked as to what he brings to this defense that wasn't there last year.

A lot of people think we're the same defense with Sean Lee, massive investments in the line, investments in the secondary, and a healthy secondary.

For those that think that, all I can say for this season is, good luck.

 

[Satchel89]

Lee is a great player and I'm glad their moving him out of the middle linebacker spot. But I always remember him just getting blasted by Tate. And of course they replayed it a 1000 times. That sucked. But It's nice having him back

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I think he survives entire season.

 

[Screw The Hall]

I think he survives entire season.

From your mouth to God's ears.

To me, Lee is this team's real x-factor. If he stays healthy for a full 16 game slate this defense can go from much improved to elite overnight. That's how important he is to this team.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

From your mouth to God's ears.

To me, Lee is this team's real x-factor. If he stays healthy for a full 16 game slate this defense can go from much improved to elite overnight. That's how important he is to this team.

Yeah... I just think that everything is going to be better... Especially on defense... His job will be easier.

We have pitbulls on defense... Last year we had Dalmatians... Ask Aaron Rodgers... He was playing with them all game long

 

[Aven8]

I think he survives entire season.

If he does, he might be the DPOY.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I saw Sean Lee's name on the header and the first thought that came to mind was " awe crap what did he hurt now "

That sounds like a depressing way to be a Cowboys fan.

I saw Sean Lee's name and was excited to read an article about him.

To each his own.

 

[DallasEast]

Cowboys LB Sean Lee not going to avoid contact

http://i356.***BLOCKED***/albums/oo4/DallasEast1701/LEE%20CONTACT_zps8zw96h6h.jpg​