News: The Dallas Cowboys defense wouldn’t work without Sean Lee

[CCBoy]

The Dallas Cowboys defense wouldn’t work without Sean Lee

http://thelandryhat.com/2017/06/24/dallas-cowboys-defense-wouldnt-work-sean-lee/


It’s no coincidence that the Dallas Cowboys defensive resurgence has coincided with the All-Pro level play of a healthy Sean Lee at weakside linebacker.

When talking about the Dallas Cowboys and rushing yardage, the obvious name the comes up is running back Ezekiel Elliott. And the number that comes up is 1,631 yards, Zeke’s league-leading rushing yardage total from last season.

But maybe the number Cowboys’ fans should be more proud of is 1,336 yards. That’s the total amount of rushing yardage the Dallas defense allowed last season. And it was the lowest in the NFL...

 

[jobberone]

Gotta stop the run then you have to stop the pass. Will is #2 most important position.

 

[jazzcat22]

Just think with Jaylon Smith along side with Lee. And Wilson should even be better. This can allow the DB's to do their jobs better, as well as the DL.
As Parcells said...you can never have enough LB's...but he said that mostly about CB's also.

We have an abundance on the DL to compete, as some in the secondary also. But they still lack in depth at LB'er IMO. They didn't draft any nor signed any FA's, except a few UDFA's. They are banking an awful lot on Smith's recovery, as well as the others. But Nzeocha has been out, yet again.
I guess they can make moves during TC if needed. Just hope it is not desperation moves.

 

[Teague31]

I'll go ahead and say it. A healthy Lee is as good as or better than Derrick Brooks

 

[Pants]

health is certainly the key on this team; @ LB, lee and smith being in there makes everyone better...get a wilson in there and then move awuzie to safety, then these two TE sets will have coverage guys on them, not LB's that are forced to cover...stay health youngens, stay healthy

 

[xwalker]

The Dallas Cowboys defense wouldn’t work without Sean Lee

http://thelandryhat.com/2017/06/24/dallas-cowboys-defense-wouldnt-work-sean-lee/


It’s no coincidence that the Dallas Cowboys defensive resurgence has coincided with the All-Pro level play of a healthy Sean Lee at weakside linebacker.

When talking about the Dallas Cowboys and rushing yardage, the obvious name the comes up is running back Ezekiel Elliott. And the number that comes up is 1,631 yards, Zeke’s league-leading rushing yardage total from last season.

But maybe the number Cowboys’ fans should be more proud of is 1,336 yards. That’s the total amount of rushing yardage the Dallas defense allowed last season. And it was the lowest in the NFL...

They talk about him in reference to stopping the run, but the hardest part to replace would be Lee's coverage ability.

If Jaylon does not play for whatever reason, then the coverage LBs are a question mark even with Lee. Hitchens is a good player against the run but limited in coverage. Wilson might end up as the LB next to Lee in the Nickel if Jaylon is limited.

On a positive note, if Jaylon can get back to the level of physical ability that he had in college, he could be one of the top coverage LBs in the league.

 

[DeaconMoss]

I hope Smith can play and is learning that position in the film room. I think the Will would be his ideal position honestly. Lee is 30 years old with concussion history. Keep that in mind.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Worked just as well in 2014 without Lee.

Shows that our issues on defense have been on both the back end and front end.





YR

 

[gimmesix]

Worked just as well in 2014 without Lee.

Shows that our issues on defense have been on both the back end and front end.





YR

The linebacker corps in 2014 kind of amazed me. We had players like Durant and Carter out there playing the best they ever played. We also got a high level of play from McClain before he went back off the deep end. And even Hitchens as a rookie probably played better than he has since. I'm still not exactly sure why that group clicked, but it was our best unit overall that year. It's almost like they knew they had to make up for Lee's absence and everyone stepped up their play a notch.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The linebacker corps in 2014 kind of amazed me. We had players like Durant and Carter out there playing the best they ever played. We also got a high level of play from McClain before he went back off the deep end. And even Hitchens as a rookie probably played better than he has since. I'm still not exactly sure why that group clicked, but it was our best unit overall that year. It's almost like they knew they had to make up for Lee's absence and everyone stepped up their play a notch.

Durant was very good. he was a 2nd round pick and just took some time to figure out his way in the league. Then he got hurt and couldn't run anymore. Carter had all of the physical abilities, he just wasn't the smartest player and sometimes had a real lack of effort.

I think McClain gets missed out on this just by how good he could be and he was a serious study of game film when he walking the straight and narrow. Then you had Hitchens who has great versatilty and catches on quickly.




YR

 

[The Natural]

It hardly "works" with him but yea I get what the writer is trying to say.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Worked just as well in 2014 without Lee.

Shows that our issues on defense have been on both the back end and front end.





YR

With lesser talent.

 

[LocimusPrime]

McClain was a monster in 2014. When he hit foos they went backwards

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

McClain was a monster in 2014

Down the stretch but he was suspended early and slow to get going. Even then he was inconsistent.

With Thornton, Collins, and Paea we really don't need to have a MCClain like we did with Scrubs Hayden manning the middle.

My main concern is lack of athleticism if Smith and Nzeocha cannot go should Lee go down.

 

[gimmesix]

Durant was very good. he was a 2nd round pick and just took some time to figure out his way in the league. Then he got hurt and couldn't run anymore. Carter had all of the physical abilities, he just wasn't the smartest player and sometimes had a real lack of effort.

I think McClain gets missed out on this just by how good he could be and he was a serious study of game film when he walking the straight and narrow. Then you had Hitchens who has great versatilty and catches on quickly.




YR

According to nfl.com, Durant had 49 tackles in six games, 4 passes defensed, an interception and two forced fumbles. He had been good before and even very good in 2012 with Detroit when he had 103 tackles and 3 passes defensed, but he had never played at that level.

Carter's tackle numbers (68 in 8 starts, 13 games) also were on track for the best he'd ever done and he had 5 interceptions despite not having any in his other five years in the league.

Hitchens had his best year in pass defense in 2014 with 4 PDs and 1 interception, but his tackle numbers have remained around the same pace as his rookie year. He has had sacks the past two years, though, that he didn't get in 2014.

McClain did about the same numberswise in 2015 as he did in 2014, and probably had his best year in 2011 with Oakland. So 2014 was more typical for him when he actually got on the field, career-bests for Durant and Carter and better pass defensewise for Hitchens than his other years.

I'm not sure exactly what got in to Carter and Durant, but I wish we could bottle it.

 

[Floatyworm]

Funny...And here I was thinking they should trade him for a good young strong safety...

I could live w/...

SLB...Smith
MLB...Wilson
WLB...Hitchins