Dallas selected their defensive signal caller, Sean Lee, 55th overall from Penn State.
He defied projections slipping toward the end of the second round because of some major injuries in college, but it was his first round talent that the Cowboys recognized and were willing to take a gamble on. Just a few short years later, however, those major injuries have carried on into his professional career.
Lee has had the stats and on-field production to stake his claim as one of the best inside linebackers in the game. He’s a ball hawk and very bright; perfect for a middle linebacker.
The reoccurring theme of the now infamously Injured Mr. Lee has derailed his career. Just this offseason, Sean Lee tore his ACL in what was meant to be a non-contact practice session, and was later placed on IR. The news came as a disappointment to a lot of Cowboys fans.
Dallas drafted Anthony Hitchens from Iowa in the 4th round to be a backup this season and step up when necessary, but necessary came knocking on his door sooner than anyone expected. Dallas has also traded for Rolando McClain, who has retired twice already in his young career.
If Hitchens can perform this season, if he can pick up the slack left by the injured Lee and salvage a poor man’s defense, Dallas may look to unload Lee and his big contract. Is the time coming for Anthony Hitchens to be the man in the middle?
Well the good thing about his contract is that it was loaded with playing time incentives. I know 2013 & 2014 are fully guaranteed but after this season he has to play 80% of the snaps to reach his highest possible salary.
Here is a link that explains his contract year by year but I don’t claim to know the ramifications to the salary cap if he does or doesn’t reach 80% of the snaps.
http://overthecap.com/cap.php?Name=Sean Lee&Position=ILB&Team=Cowboys
I’d like to think his career isn’t on a dead end track but he’s yet to prove otherwise. Which totally sucks because he is everything you want in a football player.
Tar Heel Paul I Agree, he’s got the talent and ability to get it done, but the boy is always injured. He’s gotta figure out what he is or is not doing that’s making him so injury prone or he’s not worth the paper his contract was written on as player. As it is now, we’re holding money and a roster spot for him each year, and while he gives up the spot the money is gone.
A year without an injury Sean Lee would be great to see, but no one would trust it until it was two years without injury.
I think the ‘Boys keep him around for next year. Doubt he’ll keep his job if he gets hurt again next year. Don’t think he should either.