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Fraley: Cowboys rookie linebacker Sean Lee answers the call
11:20 PM CST on Sunday, December 5, 2010
COLUMN By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
gfraley@dallasnews.com
Column by GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News | gfraley@dallasnews.com
Gerry Fraley
Archive | Bio | E-mail
James never fretted. On this eventful day, rookie Sean Lee changed from prospect to NFL linebacker.
"Young pup, Sean Lee, I'm so happy for him," James said. "He made so many big plays at the right time. Talk about development from him. He is playing his tail off."
Lee responded to the most extended playing time of his interrupted debut season with his best performance to date in the win against Indianapolis. Lee filled in for veteran inside linebacker Keith Brooking, limited by an injured left foot, and made plays the defense sorely needed.
Lee had two interceptions off Indianapolis pitch-man Peyton Manning. Lee returned one for a 31-yard touchdown and set up David Buehler's game-winning field goal with the other. Lee also participated in four tackles on pass plays, each of which held the receiver to a gain of four yards or less.
"He stepped in and produced," linebackers coach Reggie Herring said. "That's what being a pro is all about. The bottom line is he executed the calls and did a nice job with it."
It was the breakthrough performance Lee and the Cowboys have awaited all season.
Lee was the seventh linebacker taken in this year's draft. Five of the linebackers taken ahead of him have started games. The linebacker taken after him, Brandon Spikes, has started with New England.
Quadriceps and hamstring injuries slowed Lee's progress. He regained full health about six weeks ago and started earning limited playing time. As the playing time has increased, so has the level of Lee's play.
"The injuries have been very frustrating," Lee said. "But I stayed persistent and kept working at it. That's what I'm going to continue to do."
Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni installed a new pass coverage just for Manning. A year ago, as Miami's defensive coordinator, Pasqualoni made the mistake of being over-aggressive by blitzing Manning, and he cut up the Dolphins in a comeback victory.
Lesson learned. Pasqualoni took a more patient approach this time. The new look that he installed included making more use of Lee's ability to take deep drops and see a wide range of the field. With the Cowboys' increased emphasis on zone coverages, a linebacker with extended range is invaluable.
Consider the first interception, which went for a touchdown in the third quarter. Under pressure from outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Manning wanted to get the ball to Blair White to the inside. Manning never saw Lee as he stepped in front of White to get the pass.
Lee emerged from a pile on the touchdown play with a sore left shoulder. Team doctors took Lee back into the locker room for an examination and sent him back out with extra padding on his shoulder. With the game on the line, Pasqualoni went back to Lee down the stretch.
The move paid off on the second interception in overtime. Cornerback Mike Jenkins deflected a throw for tight end Jacob Tamme. Lee, who had chased Tamme off the line, was in position to get the deflection. His 13-yard return to the Colts 36 set up the final points.
"For them to even put me out there is a vote of confidence," Lee said. "To come in and play in tough situations for a guy like [Brooking] and play well was great for me."
Brooking serves as a mentor to the eager Lee. Brooking took it all in with a grin.
"I'd say he more than held up his end of the deal," Brooking said.
That's what an NFL linebacker does. Sean Lee joined the fraternity.
Doubling up the pick 6
The Cowboys on Sunday returned two interceptions for touchdowns for the fourth time in franchise history. The list:
Date Opp. Result Player, yards
Sept. 9, 1985 Was. W 44-14 Victor Scott, 26 Dennis Thurman, 21
Dec. 19. 1994 NO W 24-16 Tony Tolbert, 54 Darrin Smith, 13
Nov. 4, 2001 NYG L 27-24 Mario Edwards, 71 Dexter Coakley, 29
Sunday Ind W 38-35 Orlando Scandrick, 40 Sean Lee, 31
• • •
11:20 PM CST on Sunday, December 5, 2010
COLUMN By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
gfraley@dallasnews.com
Column by GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News | gfraley@dallasnews.com
Gerry Fraley
Archive | Bio | E-mail
James never fretted. On this eventful day, rookie Sean Lee changed from prospect to NFL linebacker.
"Young pup, Sean Lee, I'm so happy for him," James said. "He made so many big plays at the right time. Talk about development from him. He is playing his tail off."
Lee responded to the most extended playing time of his interrupted debut season with his best performance to date in the win against Indianapolis. Lee filled in for veteran inside linebacker Keith Brooking, limited by an injured left foot, and made plays the defense sorely needed.
Lee had two interceptions off Indianapolis pitch-man Peyton Manning. Lee returned one for a 31-yard touchdown and set up David Buehler's game-winning field goal with the other. Lee also participated in four tackles on pass plays, each of which held the receiver to a gain of four yards or less.
"He stepped in and produced," linebackers coach Reggie Herring said. "That's what being a pro is all about. The bottom line is he executed the calls and did a nice job with it."
It was the breakthrough performance Lee and the Cowboys have awaited all season.
Lee was the seventh linebacker taken in this year's draft. Five of the linebackers taken ahead of him have started games. The linebacker taken after him, Brandon Spikes, has started with New England.
Quadriceps and hamstring injuries slowed Lee's progress. He regained full health about six weeks ago and started earning limited playing time. As the playing time has increased, so has the level of Lee's play.
"The injuries have been very frustrating," Lee said. "But I stayed persistent and kept working at it. That's what I'm going to continue to do."
Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni installed a new pass coverage just for Manning. A year ago, as Miami's defensive coordinator, Pasqualoni made the mistake of being over-aggressive by blitzing Manning, and he cut up the Dolphins in a comeback victory.
Lesson learned. Pasqualoni took a more patient approach this time. The new look that he installed included making more use of Lee's ability to take deep drops and see a wide range of the field. With the Cowboys' increased emphasis on zone coverages, a linebacker with extended range is invaluable.
Consider the first interception, which went for a touchdown in the third quarter. Under pressure from outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Manning wanted to get the ball to Blair White to the inside. Manning never saw Lee as he stepped in front of White to get the pass.
Lee emerged from a pile on the touchdown play with a sore left shoulder. Team doctors took Lee back into the locker room for an examination and sent him back out with extra padding on his shoulder. With the game on the line, Pasqualoni went back to Lee down the stretch.
The move paid off on the second interception in overtime. Cornerback Mike Jenkins deflected a throw for tight end Jacob Tamme. Lee, who had chased Tamme off the line, was in position to get the deflection. His 13-yard return to the Colts 36 set up the final points.
"For them to even put me out there is a vote of confidence," Lee said. "To come in and play in tough situations for a guy like [Brooking] and play well was great for me."
Brooking serves as a mentor to the eager Lee. Brooking took it all in with a grin.
"I'd say he more than held up his end of the deal," Brooking said.
That's what an NFL linebacker does. Sean Lee joined the fraternity.
Doubling up the pick 6
The Cowboys on Sunday returned two interceptions for touchdowns for the fourth time in franchise history. The list:
Date Opp. Result Player, yards
Sept. 9, 1985 Was. W 44-14 Victor Scott, 26 Dennis Thurman, 21
Dec. 19. 1994 NO W 24-16 Tony Tolbert, 54 Darrin Smith, 13
Nov. 4, 2001 NYG L 27-24 Mario Edwards, 71 Dexter Coakley, 29
Sunday Ind W 38-35 Orlando Scandrick, 40 Sean Lee, 31
• • •
