FRISCO, Texas — Veteran linebacker Sean Lee has been a cornerstone player and standard of success in the Cowboys’ dominant defense for many years and has fully embraced any role he gets. He can play sam, mike, or will and at the outset of the 2019 season, he was moved from weak side to strong side LB.
Lee never complained about less time on the field that accompanied the switch and eagerly assumed his new positional role to help his beloved team win. Many players in the league today complain to coaches because they feel they are entitled to more snaps/ playing time, but not ‘The General.’ He went right to work, as always. His innate ability to read opposing offenses and get to ball carriers is known around the league, and if not, well Monday night against the Giants was a reminder.
Zack Martin remarked, “ I think if you ask anyone in this locker-room, it is no surprise that Sean went out there and played the way he did. The guy prepares better than anyone in this locker room week-in and week-out, only if he is getting 15 snaps a game. “
No.50 filled in for injured Leighton Vander Esch at will-backer and led the defense with twelve tackles. He was all over the field and made a big impact in stopping the run. He had several immediate tackles on Saquon Barkley in space for no gain. Lee loves the game and plays as though each snap were in the Super Bowl. He is always one of the first ones to arrive at the facility and one of the last to leave, that mental/physical preparation translates onto the field.
“ Last night he had a chance to play and he played like he has played throughout his career, “ Jason Garrett told me.
“ He showed up big time in the game and was really active; you said it, made a number of tackles in the game both in the running game and in the pass game when they checked the ball down. He was out there in space with a big time runner and consistently tackled him to the ground. Not only did he tackle him, but he knocked him backwards. That is what we are used to seeing Sean Lee do throughout his career. He is a really smart player, incredibly prepared player, he is very instinctive, has the capacity to make a lot of different plays, and has a positive impact on our team. Last night for us and time-and-time again. “
I think the final scene of the team’s 2017 All Or Nothing series perfectly sums up the type of player and person that Sean Lee is as described by Garrett and Martin. At the conclusion of episode eight, “Highs and Lows,” the Cowboys have their last team meeting following the 2017 season before everyone broke off for the offseason. The meeting ends and players leave. Lee gets up, and immediately walks into the linebacker room and starts watching film/preparing for the 2018 season. That is what he does everyday. His dedication and commitment to the team and to the game of football itself are unparalleled.
