Who Fills In For Sean Lee At Middle Linebacker Spot?

[BlindFaith]

Posted Jul 15, 2014

By DallasCowboys.com Report

IRVING, Texas – When the Cowboys report to training camp on July 22 in Oxnard, Calif., several questions will still need to be answered.

The staff writers at DallasCowboys.com – Rowan Kavner, David Helman, Nick Eatman and Bryan Broaddus – will attempt to answer these questions before the start of training camp. The questions will vary in importance, with the most pressing topics getting brought up in the days closest to camp.

Today, the staff predicts what the Cowboys will do at middle linebacker after the loss of Sean Lee for the season.

5) Who Fills In For Sean Lee At Middle Linebacker?

Rowan Kavner: I’ll start out by saying I think Holloman should get a chance as a front-runner to start at one of the linebacker spots, but my answer for this is a guy we haven’t seen in a Dallas uniform. The signing of Rolando McClain was as low-risk as it gets, and even if McClain plays 50 percent of the defensive snaps, the Cowboys are only surrendering a sixth-round pick for a seventh-rounder. One could guess with the way the contract was structured, the Cowboys believe he could end up playing significant snaps, and I’ll say he winds up the starter at middle linebacker. McClain was a top-10 talent and may be the most physically gifted linebacker now on the Cowboys roster. His talent was never the issue. After last season, the Cowboys need good football players on defense, even if that means taking a chance on a guy others wouldn’t. He should start toward the bottom of the depth chart as camp begins, but his reps could increase quickly if he comes to Oxnard more mentally strong and into the game and avoids the off-field distractions.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ker-Spot/63ab7e73-fee4-4cde-9257-3b61c047da0a

 

[DallasEast]

I wish someone in the media could get some definitive information out of Rolando McClain. A quote or something that takes a peek inside McClain's head about suiting up for Dallas.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I really hope it works out this way but knowing the cowboys luck it wont. The lb core is terrible and they need him to be a top player on d.

 

[AKATheRake]

I wish someone in the media could get some definitive information out of Rolando McClain. A quote or something that takes a peek inside McClain's head about suiting up for Dallas.

I kind of like that I'm not hearing talking out of him or the coaches on him.

Like Marinelli says, "just do your job and play football".

I don't care if he was a top 10 pick, does he want to play his best or not?

I don't want 95%, I want everything he's got.

That's what McClain has to learn about this game to remain in it.

Better to let him understand that now than later when we're already relying on him and we find out like everyone else did. That we can't........

 

[speedkilz88]

I kind of like that I'm not hearing talking out of him or the coaches on him.

Like Marinelli says, "just do your job and play football".

I don't care if he was a top 10 pick, does he want to play his best or not?

I don't want 95%, I want everything he's got.

That's what McClain has to learn about this game to remain in it.

But it still shows how poor the media is doing their jobs.

 

[AKATheRake]

But it still shows how poor the media is doing their jobs.

I'm not the editor and chief of ESPN but what reps has he taken yet to report on?

No offense intended, but are we supposed to have a news conference like we were the ones who just drafted him top 10 or something?

I think since signing Rolando McClain we maxed out on media publicity as it is, especially since he hasn't even had any reps with us yet.

I think the media did more than their fair job juicing out what they could on the Rolando McClain being picked up by the Dallas Cowboys transaction front.

It's almost because it's so slow at this point for news, that this is what's keeping a discussion alive somehow about this perennial losing team. Using a Rolando McClain signing.

We're not going to replace Sean Lee with McClain and he probably will have to be taken out on 3rd downs if he gets the first 2 snaps in games.

We might as well start clamoring over Aaron Curry as well since he was drafted top 10.

Actually we gave him some love to since he tweeted about Rolando McClain and how he should suit up too since Rolando's gonna give it another go.

 

[speedkilz88]

I'm not the editor and chief of ESPN but what reps has he taken yet to report on?

No offense intended, but are we supposed to have a news conference like we were the ones who just drafted him top 10 or something?

I think since signing Rolando McClain we maxed out on media publicity as it is, especially since he hasn't even had any reps with us yet.

I think the media did more than their fair job juicing out what they could on the Rolando McClain being picked up by the Dallas Cowboys transaction front.

It's almost because it's so slow at this point for news, that this is what's keeping a discussion alive somehow about this perennial losing team. Using a Rolando McClain signing.

We're not going to replace Sean Lee with McClain and he probably will have to be taken out on 3rd downs if he gets the first 2 snaps in games.

We might as well start clamoring over Aaron Curry as well since he was drafted top 10.

Actually we gave him some love to since he tweeted about Rolando McClain and how he should suit up too since Rolando's gonna give it another go.

How about doing their job and getting an interview? Even if it's an extremely short one where he says he grateful for another chance and maybe is asked what kind of shape he's in.

 

[DallasEast]

I kind of like that I'm not hearing talking out of him or the coaches on him.

Like Marinelli says, "just do your job and play football".

I don't care if he was a top 10 pick, does he want to play his best or not?

I don't want 95%, I want everything he's got.

That's what McClain has to learn about this game to remain in it.

Better to let him understand that now than later when we're already relying on him and we find out like everyone else did. That we can't........

By all intentions, McClain should be suiting up for the Ravens this season. Circumstances changed. Dallas traded for his rights and the only real verbal intent concerning him playing for the Cowboys is a weak quote from his agent. It would not surprise me if he remained retired. All I desire is for someone to ask him whether he will play for Dallas. It's not much but it would be a lot more than what we know thus far.

 

[AKATheRake]

How about doing their job and getting an interview? Even if it's an extremely short one where he says he grateful for another chance and maybe is asked what kind of shape he's in.

All respect in the world to you man.

But that's probably the professional diplomatic answer you're going to get out of him like he did with the Ravens anyways if we get that interview.

That's my point.

Let him practice and let his work do the talking at this point. He doesn't need to be saying anything other than "yes coach" at this point.

 

[DallasEast]

How about doing their job and getting an interview? Even if it's an extremely short one where he says he grateful for another chance and maybe is asked what kind of shape he's in.

It does not even need to be a Dallas or national sports media representative. I would think that his local media could prod him just enough to see if he would open up about his latest NFL opportunity.

 

[AKATheRake]

By all intentions, McClain should be suiting up for the Ravens this season. Circumstances changed. Dallas traded for his rights and the only real verbal intent concerning him playing for the Cowboys is a weak quote from his agent. It would not surprise me if he remained retired. All I desire is for someone to ask him whether he will play for Dallas. It's not much but it would be a lot more than what we know thus far.

Ah I see.

That makes sense, but the team obviously talked to him and he must have made some level of concession to them.

If he doesn't oblige it costs us nothing.

Why throw his name around over guys who are committed to being here at this point and competing for their opportunity?

Let him show up and do the same and have others talk about him.

Like I said, it's best there is no lip service at this point.

 

[DallasEast]

Ah I see.

That makes sense, but the team obviously talked to him and he must have made some level of concession to them.

If he doesn't oblige it costs us nothing.

Why throw his name around over guys who are committed to being here at this point and competing for their opportunity?

Let him show up and do the same and have others talk about him.

Like I said, it's best there is no lip service at this point.

McClain talked with the Ravens as well.

Worst case scenario: McClain reneges. At that point, it will not matter really what he said prior to skipping out. Then again, no one should question why things didn't work out since no one (other than the Cowboys front office) cared to know what McClain may have thought about playing in Dallas.

 

[AbeBeta]

How about doing their job and getting an interview? Even if it's an extremely short one where he says he grateful for another chance and maybe is asked what kind of shape he's in.

Maybe he isn't interested in talking.

 

[CCBoy]

This is a football guy, and there, is hardcore. If he makes a decision, it will be because his confidence wavors or he just has too far to adjust physically to ease his own doubts.

 

[jazzcat22]

So no real answers to the OP question yet?

J/K

It is up for grabs as we all know. We will find out next week who opens up where at all the LBer spots. I expect a lot of shuffling around at first, and 1st team, 2nsd team reps being switched also.
I would think, in no particular order it will be Durant, McClain, Hitchins, and Holloman should get a shot too.

 

[AKATheRake]

McClain talked with the Ravens as well.

Worst case scenario: McClain reneges. At that point, it will not matter really what he said prior to skipping out. Then again, no one should question why things didn't work out since no one (other than the Cowboys front office) cared to know what McClain may have thought about playing in Dallas.

My exact point.

It does not matter what he says now. His actions are what matter.

He def did talk to the Ravens org as well as our before this transaction.

If we felt there was no shot we would not consider it.

 

[DallasEast]

My exact point.

It does not matter what he says now. His actions are what matter.

He def did talk to the Ravens org as well as our before this transaction.

If we felt there was no shot we would not consider it.

The Ravens thought they had a shot as well.

I hope none of us will be surprised by what may happen next.

 

[CCBoy]

I'm looking for a stereotyped kid to show some metal...anything less, and nothing was lost.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I'm pulling like crazy for McClain here. I've always been a fan. I'd like to see him turn things around for himself personally and bring some much needed nastiness to this defense.

 

[Szczepanik]

Pulling for McClain. Always down to see some onfield suplexes. Regardless of the 15 yard penalties.