Sean Lee Draftcountdown

[zrinkill]

Strengths:
Good athlete --- Outstanding instincts and awareness --- Active with a non-stop motor --- Excellent Range --- Does a terrific job in pursuit --- A very reliable tackler --- Experienced --- Good strength --- Uses hands well --- Understands angles and leverage --- Smart with a top football IQ --- Super Competitive --- Versatile --- Hard Worker --- Team Leader.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the ideal size that you look for --- Is not very explosive and lacks a burst --- Tight hips and is not real fluid in coverage --- Isn't stout at the point of attack --- Struggles to take on and disengage from blockers --- Not much of a pass rusher or blitzer --- Durability Concerns.

Notes:
Was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions --- Named 2nd Team All-Big Ten in 2007 and 2009 --- Served as a team captain --- Brother, Conor, was a kicker at Pittsburgh (2005-08) --- Missed the entire 2008 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee --- Missed a few games in 2009 with a sprained left knee --- Also excelled in the classroom and was active in the community while in Happy Valley --- The next product of "Linebacker U", following in the footsteps of guys like Jack Ham, Shane Conlan, Andre Collins, LaVar Arrington, Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor just to name a few --- Could project to either inside or outside linebacker at the next level --- Not the most physically gifted prospect but makes up for those deficiencies with top-notch intangibles --- A fantastic football player who will likely be an NFL starter for a long time.

 

[ShiningStar]

i dont know, was thsi guy worth it?

All i am seeing is solid tackler and smart. I think we could hve gotten smart, better player, doesnt back down in most of the OT's still on the board.

 

[Rampage]

Strengths:
Good athlete --- Outstanding instincts and awareness --- Active with a non-stop motor --- Excellent Range --- Does a terrific job in pursuit --- A very reliable tackler --- Experienced --- Good strength --- Uses hands well --- Understands angles and leverage --- Smart with a top football IQ --- Super Competitive --- Versatile --- Hard Worker --- Team Leader.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the ideal size that you look for --- Is not very explosive and lacks a burst --- Tight hips and is not real fluid in coverage --- Isn't stout at the point of attack --- Struggles to take on and disengage from blockers --- Not much of a pass rusher or blitzer --- Durability Concerns.

Notes:
Was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions --- Named 2nd Team All-Big Ten in 2007 and 2009 --- Served as a team captain --- Brother, Conor, was a kicker at Pittsburgh (2005-08) --- Missed the entire 2008 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee --- Missed a few games in 2009 with a sprained left knee --- Also excelled in the classroom and was active in the community while in Happy Valley --- The next product of "Linebacker U", following in the footsteps of guys like Jack Ham, Shane Conlan, Andre Collins, LaVar Arrington, Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor just to name a few --- Could project to either inside or outside linebacker at the next level --- Not the most physically gifted prospect but makes up for those deficiencies with top-notch intangibles --- A fantastic football player who will likely be an NFL starter for a long time.

great pick for a 3-4 defense

 

[TwoDeep3]

Analysis

Read & React: Excellent football intelligence. Rarely blows an assignment. Reads his keys almost instantly and runs to the ball with no wasted motion. Shows controlled aggression against play-action. Quickly diagnoses screens and misdirection.


Run defense: Time away from the field allowed him to increase his upper- body strength. Relies on quick hands and feet to disengage from blocks, and is not afraid of taking on linemen in the hole. Still struggles to release when effectively tied up. Flows through the traffic efficiently. Good lateral agility and balance to protect his legs. Good straight-line speed in pursuit, especially for the inside linebacker position. High effort player who takes good angles in pursuit. Has the speed to meet ballcarriers on the edge at the college level but will not get to the outside against most NFL backs.


Pass defense: Understands routes and has enough straight-line speed to stay with most running backs and tight ends. High backpedal, but has improved his drop to get deep enough to prevent first downs. Can change direction when running downhill smoothly, but doesn't flip his hips quickly. Very good key-and-diagnose skills and a good burst to close, but is clearly more comfortable moving forward to the line of scrimmage than in reverse. Has trouble recovering in the few instances in which he bites on play action.


Tackling: One of Lee's greatest assets. Fundamentally sound wrap-up tackler who could provide the animated examples for hit-lift-drive. Plays on the balls of his feet and has the body control to break down in space and tackle smaller, shiftier ballcarriers. Long arms and accurate hands to trip up the ballcarrier. Could develop more explosiveness as a hitter. Reliable open-field tackler, but not an intimidator.


Pass Rush/Blitz: Often asked to blitz in this scheme as a stand-up rusher. Good initial burst from the outside to get past the tackle. Needs to improve his explosiveness to quickly disengage from blockers. Shows some lower-body strength and use of leverage for the bull rush, but could improve in this area. Only marginal use of pass-rush technique -- relies on his good lateral agility and straight-line speed to elude. Good closing speed on the quarterback and has the body control to re-direct. Times his blitzes effectively with the snap count.


Intangibles: Unquestioned leader of the defense despite missing the 2008 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Traveled with the team as a coach on the sideline and during practice. Held out of spring practices and returned this fall after nearly 15 months away from football. Blue-collar work ethic. Highly competitive. Brother was a placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh.


NFL Comparison: Dan Connor, Panthers


************

So which is right?

 

[Seven]

Strengths:
Good athlete --- Outstanding instincts and awareness --- Active with a non-stop motor --- Excellent Range --- Does a terrific job in pursuit --- A very reliable tackler --- Experienced --- Good strength --- Uses hands well --- Understands angles and leverage --- Smart with a top football IQ --- Super Competitive --- Versatile --- Hard Worker --- Team Leader.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the ideal size that you look for --- Is not very explosive and lacks a burst --- Tight hips and is not real fluid in coverage --- Isn't stout at the point of attack --- Struggles to take on and disengage from blockers --- Not much of a pass rusher or blitzer --- Durability Concerns.

Notes:
Was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions --- Named 2nd Team All-Big Ten in 2007 and 2009 --- Served as a team captain --- Brother, Conor, was a kicker at Pittsburgh (2005-08) --- Missed the entire 2008 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee --- Missed a few games in 2009 with a sprained left knee --- Also excelled in the classroom and was active in the community while in Happy Valley --- The next product of "Linebacker U", following in the footsteps of guys like Jack Ham, Shane Conlan, Andre Collins, LaVar Arrington, Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor just to name a few --- Could project to either inside or outside linebacker at the next level --- Not the most physically gifted prospect but makes up for those deficiencies with top-notch intangibles --- A fantastic football player who will likely be an NFL starter for a long time.

Not to over react but this is a Carpenter mold, No?

 

[mmillman]

Was the 2nd or 3rd rated ILB on most boards, so I like the pick.

 

[The Quest for Six]

Goose Gossilin, very good solid pick, could start this year

 

[jterrell]

Not to over react but this is a Carpenter mold, No?

good lord what part of that says Barbie to you?

Barbie is prototypical size but not physical, is a good pass rusher and coverage guy but not a guy who likes contact.

Barbie has zero leadership ability and generally just doesn't like contact.

This guy isn't as athletic but loves contact. Isn't as big nor as fast but but has the team concept down pat as well as anyone.

 

[Seven]

good lord what part of that says Barbie to you?

Duh..........this:

Is not very explosive and lacks a burst --- Isn't stout at the point of attack --- Struggles to take on and disengage from blockers.

 

[wileedog]

Weaknesses:
Does not have the ideal size that you look for --- Is not very explosive and lacks a burst --- Tight hips and is not real fluid in coverage --- Isn't stout at the point of attack --- Struggles to take on and disengage from blockers --- Not much of a pass rusher or blitzer --- Durability Concerns.

3-4 ILB?

That's my biggest concern with this pick. Can he shed 300+ lb OGs? Can he hold up as a 3 down player doing so?

 

[ejthedj]

I hope I am wrong. Honestly.

But those weaknesses are exactly what I see in the videos. And it will be magnified times 10 in the pros.

Leadership in college and heart doesn't mean crap if you're too small and too slow for the NFL. Sorry.

I still hope I am wrong

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I hope I am wrong. Honestly.

But those weaknesses are exactly what I see in the videos. And it will be magnified times 10 in the pros.

Leadership in college and heart doesn't mean crap if you're too small and too slow for the NFL. Sorry.

I still hope I am wrong

He may be too slow if you're starting a 4x100 team but he had great times in the 10 yard split, 3 cone........ probably the best group of times of any LB in this draft. He's anywhere from 1.52-1.58 in the 10, the most important time for an ILB.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dumb pick.. I'd rather seen them go after Morgan Burnett...

 

[ejthedj]

He may be too slow if you're starting a 4x100 team but he had great times in the 10 yard split, 3 cone........ probably the best group of times of any LB in this draft. He's anywhere from 1.52-1.58 in the 10, the most important time for an ILB.

That's good news, even though I saw "no burst" on his highlight videos more than that

 

[CowboyMike]

Duh..........this:

Is not very explosive and lacks a burst --- Isn't stout at the point of attack --- Struggles to take on and disengage from blockers.

Well, that's really a Parcells 3-4 that an ILB would need to do that.

In Phillip's scheme they're only responsible for one gap and are generally protected from blockers by the DEs and NT.

Sean Lee is pretty much the same size as Bradie and Brooking and they're fine.

 

[wileedog]

W
Sean Lee is pretty much the same size as Bradie and Brooking and they're fine.

No, Bradie is 247, 10+ lbs bigger and looks it. Brooking is listed at 241, but he also looks a heck of a lot bigger than Lee, who is listed at 235 but I think that is draft hype at play.

No way you look at Lee and think 3-4 ILB. Size is going to be an issue unless he can put on some weight without slowing down.

 

[CowboyMike]

No, Bradie is 247, 10+ lbs bigger and looks it. Brooking is listed at 241, but he also looks a heck of a lot bigger than Lee, who is listed at 235 but I think that is draft hype at play.

No way you look at Lee and think 3-4 ILB. Size is going to be an issue unless he can put on some weight without slowing down.

Well Bradie was smaller too when he came in, Parcells made him bulk up to about 260 and then he slimmed down to where he is now when Wade came in.

I think Lee will be just fine size-wise.

 

[wileedog]

I think Lee will be just fine size-wise.

Guess we'll see. He looks to me like a Roy who ate the biscuit.

 

[Cover 2]

3-4 ILB?

That's my biggest concern with this pick. Can he shed 300+ lb OGs? Can he hold up as a 3 down player doing so?

Could Donnie Edwards?

 

[Silverstar]

Well Bradie was smaller too when he came in, Parcells made him bulk up to about 260 and then he slimmed down to where he is now when Wade came in.

I think Lee will be just fine size-wise.

I agree.

Jason Williams came in at 238 and now he's up to 246.

I'm not worried about Lee's size or skills inside...just his durability.