I was born in the 80s. That means that I lived through the greatest era of wrestling, the 90s-2000s. We don't have enough time in one blog to go over all the things that era of wrestling got right. One thing they did exceptionally well was wrestler returns. The Cowboys could steal a page out the WWF (now WWE) playbook as it pertains to Sean Lee's return. Daily build up, pyrotechnics, and a heel! Every great return needs a heel. Stings heel was Hollywood Hogan for goodness sake!
Who better a Heel than the Philadelphia Eagles? The defending super bowl champions (🤮🤮🤮). The team whose fans cheered when Michael Irvin laid motionless on his back (something I will never forget). They got the title but it feels like they cheated, like they got outside interference. It just feels like we need a good guy in this situation. Somebody to come from the back and give the fans hope that all good will prevail. The someone is Sean Lee!
I'm not even a huge Sean Lee fan but I will admit that he may be the missing piece to an all time great defense. We just had the pleasure of watching this Cowboys defense flat out dominate the best offense in the NFL. The pass rush got after Breezy. The run defense kept Kamara in check. Michael Thomas was a non factor. We also can't downplay the fact that Sean Payton was lost the entire game. He had no answers for this Cowboys defense.
Is it possible that this Cowboys defense can get even better? The answer is yes. That will depend on what kind of return the Cowboys have planned for their all pro Linebacker Sean lee. Lee hasn’t been the picture of perfect health the last few seasons. For most of Lee’s career he was cast as an extremely athletic undersized inside linebacker. Prior to this youth movement at the position, he was being moved to the weak side backer in an attempt to put him in coverage more. The thought was that he wouldn’t have to take on as many offensive linemen and that he might be able to make it an entire year. Hindsight is 20-20, and now we know that Sean Lee’s body is falling apart. This poses a new challenge for this Cowboys coaching staff. Luckily this side of the ball is humming along and adding a talented piece like Lee is a good problem to have.
Kris Richard and Rob Marinelli have been a match made in heaven. Richard is able to get this passing game together. Marinelli is able to get the defensive front together. Both layers to this defense have been outstanding. That’s in large part due to the production of the two young linebackers in the middle. Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esche have been amazing this season. Their play has allowed the secondary to be more aggressive and has given the pass rush time to get to the quarterback. In comes Sean Lee? The Cowboys don’t want to do anything to upset the beautiful connection that Smith and LVE have. That means that Sean Lee’s isn’t returning back to his starting role. He will have to take on more of a rotational role. How about a rotational impact role?
At this point in his career Sean Lee may be better served playing the robber safety role. The role that JJ Wilcox played so well. Call it what position you want to call it, but I refer to the position as a robber safety. When JJ Wilcox was with the Cowboys he would play the middle of the field a lot, taking away the shallow crosses, deep ins, and the post routes across the middle. The concept is to make the QB hold the ball a little longer waiting on his guy to uncover. While the QB is waiting the pass rush has the same amount of time to get home. Sean Lee is still every bit as athletic as JJ Wilcox was, and he is better in coverage. Playing Lee in this position will keep him away from big offensive linemen, allow him to use his instincts more to make an impact on passing plays, and allow him to play freely. Playing freely would be letting the young men take on blockers and shut down the run. Essentially I would play Lee in the Hybrid Safety/Corner/Linebacker position and still use him along with Joe Thomas sparily in the linebacker rotations.
The Cowboys are on the verge of making the playoffs. This game against the Eagles is huge. The Cowboys could beat the Eagles, putting them at 7 losses for the season, while the Cowboys would only have 5. So the Cowboys would be up 2 games with three left on the schedule. They would only need to win one of their last three games to clinch the division, because they would have the head to head over Philly with the sweep (I would love for this to happen). What better way to bring Sean Lee back? Huge Division game (build up), against a HATED division rival (heel), and he would be playing a slightly different role. Philly wouldn’t be able to adjust to Lee with the rest of this defense chomping down on them. It would be a fitting end to the Eagles season, and It would be the perfect comeback for Sean Lee! Bring on the smoke and let’s hope someone on the Sheagles gets either “Sweet chaired musiced” or “Stone cold Stunned.” I don’t know about you but I can’t wait for the Cowboys vs Eagles.
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