IRVING, Texas – Sean Lissemore has yet to start a game in his NFL career. Obviously, the Cowboys are figuring he will at some point.
That's why they are making sure he stays in the fold for a while. The Cowboys signed Lissemore to a three-year extension that will keep him under contract through 2016.
Lissemore's original four-year deal went through the 2013 season, but the Cowboys obviously want him in the mix much longer than that.
Terms of the deal include $3.1 million in guaranteed money for Lissemore over the life of the contract.
Lissemore is currently a backup on the defensive line, but his versatility to play both end and tackle is valuable in the 3-4 scheme.
The Cowboys have some aging veterans on the defensive line in Kenyon Coleman (33), Marcus Spears (29) and Jay Ratliff (31). Lissemore just turned 25 on Tuesday.
Drafted in the seventh round out of William & Mary, Lissemore played in just two games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. But last year, Lissemore played in all 16 games, finishing 12th on the defense with 39 tackles. He had two sacks, equaling Jay Ratliff's total despite playing about 400 less snaps.
In fact, defensive line coach Brian Baker called Lissemore his most productive player "per snap" in 2011 and said he would get more snaps this season.
And apparently, a few more after this one as well.
