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Roster Rundown
Lee Shrugged Off Injury, Made Progress
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Lee had 2 INT's against the Colts, one for a TD and the other in OT to setup the game-winning FG.
Name: Sean Lee
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-2/242
Experience: One season
College: Penn State
Key stat: Lee's two interceptions - off Peyton Manning, no less - Dec. 5 at Indianapolis showed flashes of the range and coverage skills necessary at inside linebacker.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013.
2010 Impact: The Cowboys' second-round pick (rated in the mid-first round on their own draft board) lost developmental time early due to a quadriceps injury that sidelined him two preseason games. He also missed two of the first three regular-season games with a strained hamstring, and played through a sore shoulder late in the year. Despite those ailments, Lee became more comfortable and effective in the linebacker rotation behind Bradie James and Keith Brooking. He finished with 45 team-credited tackles (three for loss), two interceptions, two pass deflections and one forced fumble while adding 14 stops on the special teams coverage units. His breakout came against the Colts with Brooking slowed by a sprained foot. Along with those two interceptions, Lee added nine tackles and a pass deflection in the Cowboys' overtime win.
Where He Fits: Although the 35-year-old Brooking remains under contract, there has been speculation about his playing future. That, as well as where Lee and others fit in with new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme, remains to be seen. But it seems likely that at the very least, Lee would continue to rotate in the Cowboys' substitution packages behind James and Brooking next season. The Cowboys drafted him with the expectation that at some point he would develop into a perennial starter.
Writers' Analysis:
Rob Phillips: Eventually, the Cowboys believe their 2010 second-round pick will become an integral piece of the defense. Lee had knee injuries at Penn State and was banged up for a large part of his rookie year in Dallas. As long as he can stay healthy, there's every reason to believe he can be an NFL starter for a long time. He has the instincts and range, and he badly wants to get better. Next season could be a big step forward for him.
Josh Ellis: What stands out about Lee's rookie season, obviously, was that he stayed pretty banged up. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's an injury-prone player. He didn't have any real problems with the knees he hurt in college, and other than the hamstring strain in the first game, he was more or less able to work through the pain, which is a good sign. He still needs to add bulk, which will help keep him healthy, but he is a dedicated worker and an instinctive player. For the Cowboys, who need to take a step forward at middle linebacker, Lee must be ready to take a starting job next year.
Lee Shrugged Off Injury, Made Progress
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Lee had 2 INT's against the Colts, one for a TD and the other in OT to setup the game-winning FG.
Name: Sean Lee
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-2/242
Experience: One season
College: Penn State
Key stat: Lee's two interceptions - off Peyton Manning, no less - Dec. 5 at Indianapolis showed flashes of the range and coverage skills necessary at inside linebacker.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013.
2010 Impact: The Cowboys' second-round pick (rated in the mid-first round on their own draft board) lost developmental time early due to a quadriceps injury that sidelined him two preseason games. He also missed two of the first three regular-season games with a strained hamstring, and played through a sore shoulder late in the year. Despite those ailments, Lee became more comfortable and effective in the linebacker rotation behind Bradie James and Keith Brooking. He finished with 45 team-credited tackles (three for loss), two interceptions, two pass deflections and one forced fumble while adding 14 stops on the special teams coverage units. His breakout came against the Colts with Brooking slowed by a sprained foot. Along with those two interceptions, Lee added nine tackles and a pass deflection in the Cowboys' overtime win.
Where He Fits: Although the 35-year-old Brooking remains under contract, there has been speculation about his playing future. That, as well as where Lee and others fit in with new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme, remains to be seen. But it seems likely that at the very least, Lee would continue to rotate in the Cowboys' substitution packages behind James and Brooking next season. The Cowboys drafted him with the expectation that at some point he would develop into a perennial starter.
Writers' Analysis:
Rob Phillips: Eventually, the Cowboys believe their 2010 second-round pick will become an integral piece of the defense. Lee had knee injuries at Penn State and was banged up for a large part of his rookie year in Dallas. As long as he can stay healthy, there's every reason to believe he can be an NFL starter for a long time. He has the instincts and range, and he badly wants to get better. Next season could be a big step forward for him.
Josh Ellis: What stands out about Lee's rookie season, obviously, was that he stayed pretty banged up. But that doesn't necessarily mean he's an injury-prone player. He didn't have any real problems with the knees he hurt in college, and other than the hamstring strain in the first game, he was more or less able to work through the pain, which is a good sign. He still needs to add bulk, which will help keep him healthy, but he is a dedicated worker and an instinctive player. For the Cowboys, who need to take a step forward at middle linebacker, Lee must be ready to take a starting job next year.
