FRISCO, Texas – In a press conference during the second week of OTA’s, head coach Jason Garrett stressed that “there are only three Dallas Cowboys currently on the roster in there 30s”: Sean Lee, Dan Bailey, and L.P. Ladouceur. These veterans have been staples in the Cowboys roster of longevity and hard work in the league.
Linebacker, Sean Lee, is in his eighth year with the Cowboys at the age of 31. He has been a leader since he stepped on the field in 2010. His instincts behind the Cowboys’ defensive line on the opposing offense, is unmatched. His ability to react when the ball is snapped and get to the ball on a run or pass play has made him one of the most beloved linebackers in Cowboys’ history. Lee never quits.
He has been plagued with injury every season with the Cowboys, but the games he has been in, his presence is well known. His #50 jersey is feared by opposing offenses around the league. In the 86 games he has had career starts in, Lee has accumulated 668 combined tackles, 441 total, 2.5 sacks, 2 touchdowns, 13 pass interceptions, and 25 pass defends. He is a 2 time Pro-Bowler and in 2017, he was ranked #79 in the NFL’s top 100.
Kicker, Dan Bailey, is in his seventh year with the Cowboys at the age of 30. He has started in all 16 games since his career start in 2011, until missing 4 games in 2017 due to a groin injury. He has started in a total of 108 games and has amassed 211 field goal attempts, an overall field goal percentage of 88.2, 20-29 yards percentage of 95.5, 30-39 yards percentage of 95.2, 40-49 yards percentage of 88.1, and 50 plus yards percentage of 67.5. He was elected to the Pro-Bowl in 2015 and to the 2011 NFL All-Rookie Team. For points scored, he was in the NFL’s top 10 for five years 2011-2014, 2016, and was in the NFL’s top 10 for three seasons in the categories: extra point made (2013,2014, 2015), extra point attempts (2013, 2014, 2016), and total field goals made (2011, 2012, 2015).
He is one of the most accurate kickers in the league and his position is often overlooked due to his attempt/made percentages, until the game rests on his shoulders with a game ending field goal. Sports YouTube comedian, Scooter Mcgruder, often remarks in his videos commentating Cowboys’ highlights, “Dan Bailey, Automatic!!” His funny phrase perfectly sums up Bailey’s ability and his contribution to the Cowboys over his six-year tenure with “America’s Team.”
Long Snapper, L.P. Ladouceur, is in his fourteenth year with the Cowboys, at the age of 37. He is the oldest Cowboy on the roster and has played in all 16 games of the season since his first season with the Boys in 2005, where he missed three games. He was elected to the Pro-Bowl in 2014 and has 205 game starts under his belt over his long committed career with the silver and blue.
This is a player that is often off the radar and headlines, which is a testament to his performance on the field. If a long snapper is being talked about, it is normally for a mistake made within his special teams position, giving the opposing team great field position on their next series of drives and optimizing their chances of scoring off a bad punt. Ladouceur is a player as durable as they come and is underestimated. His role is essential to the success of punts, field goals, and extra points.
These three veteran players now have the opportunity to help their young team by mentoring the rookies and sharing their road to success with the young and hungry players fighting for a spot on the final 53-man roster with the Dallas Cowboys!!
