Star Evaluation: Why It's A Different Defense When Sean Lee's On The Field

Apr 06, 2018 at 06:49 AM

Rob Phillips

DallasCowboys.com Senior Writer

While the first couple of waves of free agency have passed, it's never too late to upgrade the roster, something the Cowboys will try to do at the end of this month with the NFL Draft.

Even with that, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.

Today, we continue the series with linebacker Sean Lee.

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Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

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17 September 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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25 September 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

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Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) carries the ball in front of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) during an NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)

Aaron M. Sprecher/AP Images

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01 October 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL vs GB

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22 October 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Jeremiah Jhass

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) moves in to tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) during a 2017 NFL week 7 regular season game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers, 40-10. (James D. Smith via AP)

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) celebrates with linebacker Sean Lee (50) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (NFL Photos via AP)

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee greets fans as he leaves the field after a Week 7 NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 40-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)

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28 October 2017: Jason Witten and Sean Lee
of the Dallas Cowboys departing for their game at the Washington Redskins at DFW Airport, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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29 October 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) runs toward Washington Redskins wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

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Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee runs toward the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

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Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee runs toward the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

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DAL Vs KC

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DAL Vs KC

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DAL Vs KC

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05 November 2017: Sean Lee (50) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) attempts to stop Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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05 November 2017: Sean Lee (50) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs ATL Departure

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DAL Vs ATL

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12 November 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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DAL Vs ATL

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DAL vs PHI

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Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, left, and linebacker Sean Lee, right, who is injured watches play from the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

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30 November 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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09 December 2017: Sean Lee
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Newark, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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10 December 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) runs the ball after intercepting a pass from the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys won 30-10.(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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17 December 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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24 December 2017: Sean Lee (50) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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30 December 2017: Sean Lee
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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31 December 2017: Sean Lee (50)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood (28) during a 2017 NFL week 17 regular season game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 6-0. (James D. Smith via AP)

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Philadelphia Eagles' Torrey Smith, right, cannot catch a pass against Dallas Cowboys' Sean Lee (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

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What's Been Good:

The Cowboys' record, for one, when Lee is on the field. They went 8-2 last season in the games he played and 1-5 in the games he missed, including Week 10 at Atlanta when he left with a hamstring in the first quarter. Lee's presence is simply invaluable. His instincts and preparation, coupled with his ability to run and make tackles from the weak side, has a stabilizing effect on the entire defense. He once again led the Cowboys with a team-credited 118 tackles and 13 for loss. The club won three of its last four games with him back in the lineup and finished fifth in scoring defense (20.8) and eighth in total defense (318.1).

What's Been Bad:

Lee prides himself on being there for his teammates and grows frustrated when he isn't able to stay on the field. Coming off an All-Pro year in 2016, he enjoyed the first offseason since 2012 where he didn't undergo surgery or work his way back from a serious injury that required surgery. He was able to make 11 of 16 possible starts in 2017, but a hamstring injury knocked him out of October losses to the Rams and Packers and again for the better part of four games in November. The 31-year-old did return for the final four games of the season.

2017 Highlight:

Think Lee was ready to get back to work in December? After sitting out most of a four-game November stretch in which the Cowboys went 1-3, he led the defense with an astounding 20 tackles and a late interception that clinched a Dec. 10 road win over the Giants. The play of the game: Lee stuffing Giants receiver Sterling Shepard for a 9-yard loss in the fourth quarter, forcing the Giants to punt and setting up the Cowboys' offense for a touchdown drive that took the lead for good.

What's Next:

Linebacker looks like a logical draft focus for Dallas. They signed veteran Joe Thomas for depth, and they're confident Jaylon Smith can continue to make strides following his first season back from injury. Anthony Hitchens' free-agent departure means the Cowboys probably aren't done looking for depth. Lee's health is the X-factor, though. When he's at his best, the defense doesn't give up much in the way of yards and points.

One of the most complete players in the league. Rare that you see him have a bad snap.
Work ethic and competitiveness are off the charts. Makes those around him better.
Physical and mental toughness to carry out his assignments without fail. Playing speed to cover the ground along with the strength to finish the play.
Hard player to fool due to his football intelligence. Scheme aware. Always thinking ahead.
Plays with lower body power and flexibility. Doesn't allow himself to be blocked or taken advantage of.
Plays best when on the move. The move to the WILL linebacker allows him to do what's best and that's run to the ball.
Never comes off the field. Can use him in all situations.
He's accountable and makes those around him the same. Injury has robbed him at various times during his career.
Has always fought back to be better than he was when he left. Defense tends to struggle without him due to his leadership and playmaking ability.

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