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Quick Study, Lee is catching on
by Scott Birne
IRVING, Texas - Penn State University, affectionately known as "Linebacker U," has been churning out NFL players for the last 60 years: Jack Ham, Matt Millen and LaVar Arrington, to name a few.
As the Cowboys' second-round draft pick, Sean Lee looks to continue the tradition and follow in their footsteps.
Growing up just outside of Pittsburgh, Lee played safety and tailback in high school, not linebacker. Despite not playing the position until college, he quickly understood the significance of playing at Linebacker U.
"When you get to Penn State, you learn the tradition and you try to keep that going by being tough, hard-working, blue-collar types of players who love to play football and love to help their team win football games," he said.
At last weekend's rookie mini-camp, Lee received personal attention from Cowboys linebackers coach Reggie Herring as the only linebacker among 35 rookies and eligible first-year veterans.
Lee is learning how to play both 3-4 inside linebacker positions, the "Mike" and "Mo." The Cowboys believe he can back up both starters, Bradie James and Keith Brooking, as well as contribute on special teams.
In addition to his quickness and explosiveness, the coaches like how Lee absorbs information quickly.
"He is a very sharp individual," Herring said. "There is a lot to learn, but if anyone can learn it, it's him. He has excellent retention and we're slowly giving him a little taste at each position.
"He's like a magnet just sucking in information."
The Cowboys placed a mid-first round grade on Lee, whose injury history likely dropped him to the 55th pick after playing 10 of 13 games as a senior.
In 2008, Lee was forced to sit out his original senior season and take a medical redshirt after tearing his right ACL in a spring practice. His teammates still thought highly enough of him to name him team captain that year and did so again the next season.
Now healthy, Lee says the injury isn't an issue. The brace he wears is actually on his left knee - the one he sprained in 2009, causing him to miss three games - and even that is just for precautionary reasons.
Lee practiced well without a comfortable brace at mini-camp. First, he left his custom brace at home. The Cowboys had it shipped in time for the final two days, but he still faced a minor dilemma.
"When we got it, his leg was too big," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "He's strengthened his legs and they were bigger than they were when he wore it during the season."
Still, Lee said he benefited from the one-on-one instruction.
"[Coach Herring] is extremely passionate about coaching," Lee said. "When it comes to fundamentals and intensity, he is a stickler, and it's great to have a coach like that.
"I take pride in learning defenses and learning our defense. That's a way to make yourself a better football player - by concentrating and knowing the defense and putting yourself in the right position."
While some are quick to compare him to Brooking, a 12-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler, Lee said it's unwarranted until he proves himself on the field.
"It'll be an honor to play with [Brooking] and learn under him," Lee said. "I have a lot of work to do to be even close with him. Until I make plays on the field on the NFL level, you can't really compare me to anybody."
When comparing the mindsets at Penn State to the Cowboys, however, he said he sees a lot of similarities.
"At Penn State, we would compete against each other every day, and we had a lot of good athletes and a lot of hard workers, and I think we compelled each other to become better football players," Lee said. "I think it's the same type of situation here. These guys work hard every single day and push each other to become better football players."
Though initially Lee will make an impact by playing special teams and backing up Brooking and James, the coaches say his work ethic is undeniable as he looks to improve each day.
"He wants to learn," Herring stressed. "Not only does he have great work habits, but he gets upset when he doesn't do things right. He wants to be perfect."
by Scott Birne
IRVING, Texas - Penn State University, affectionately known as "Linebacker U," has been churning out NFL players for the last 60 years: Jack Ham, Matt Millen and LaVar Arrington, to name a few.
As the Cowboys' second-round draft pick, Sean Lee looks to continue the tradition and follow in their footsteps.
Growing up just outside of Pittsburgh, Lee played safety and tailback in high school, not linebacker. Despite not playing the position until college, he quickly understood the significance of playing at Linebacker U.
"When you get to Penn State, you learn the tradition and you try to keep that going by being tough, hard-working, blue-collar types of players who love to play football and love to help their team win football games," he said.
At last weekend's rookie mini-camp, Lee received personal attention from Cowboys linebackers coach Reggie Herring as the only linebacker among 35 rookies and eligible first-year veterans.
Lee is learning how to play both 3-4 inside linebacker positions, the "Mike" and "Mo." The Cowboys believe he can back up both starters, Bradie James and Keith Brooking, as well as contribute on special teams.
In addition to his quickness and explosiveness, the coaches like how Lee absorbs information quickly.
"He is a very sharp individual," Herring said. "There is a lot to learn, but if anyone can learn it, it's him. He has excellent retention and we're slowly giving him a little taste at each position.
"He's like a magnet just sucking in information."
The Cowboys placed a mid-first round grade on Lee, whose injury history likely dropped him to the 55th pick after playing 10 of 13 games as a senior.
In 2008, Lee was forced to sit out his original senior season and take a medical redshirt after tearing his right ACL in a spring practice. His teammates still thought highly enough of him to name him team captain that year and did so again the next season.
Now healthy, Lee says the injury isn't an issue. The brace he wears is actually on his left knee - the one he sprained in 2009, causing him to miss three games - and even that is just for precautionary reasons.
Lee practiced well without a comfortable brace at mini-camp. First, he left his custom brace at home. The Cowboys had it shipped in time for the final two days, but he still faced a minor dilemma.
"When we got it, his leg was too big," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said. "He's strengthened his legs and they were bigger than they were when he wore it during the season."
Still, Lee said he benefited from the one-on-one instruction.
"[Coach Herring] is extremely passionate about coaching," Lee said. "When it comes to fundamentals and intensity, he is a stickler, and it's great to have a coach like that.
"I take pride in learning defenses and learning our defense. That's a way to make yourself a better football player - by concentrating and knowing the defense and putting yourself in the right position."
While some are quick to compare him to Brooking, a 12-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler, Lee said it's unwarranted until he proves himself on the field.
"It'll be an honor to play with [Brooking] and learn under him," Lee said. "I have a lot of work to do to be even close with him. Until I make plays on the field on the NFL level, you can't really compare me to anybody."
When comparing the mindsets at Penn State to the Cowboys, however, he said he sees a lot of similarities.
"At Penn State, we would compete against each other every day, and we had a lot of good athletes and a lot of hard workers, and I think we compelled each other to become better football players," Lee said. "I think it's the same type of situation here. These guys work hard every single day and push each other to become better football players."
Though initially Lee will make an impact by playing special teams and backing up Brooking and James, the coaches say his work ethic is undeniable as he looks to improve each day.
"He wants to learn," Herring stressed. "Not only does he have great work habits, but he gets upset when he doesn't do things right. He wants to be perfect."
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