Dallas Cowboys: 3 Early training camp standouts

1. Sean Lee, Linebacker

Last year, the Cowboys boasted one of the best linebacker corps in the NFL as Jaylon Smith had a breakout season and rookie Leighton Vander Esch proved the front office knew what it was doing when they took the Boise State product in the first round. They did so well that it actually made it seem as though Sean Lee could be expendable.

There was even discussion that Lee could retire but instead, he took a reduced salary in order to stay with the team. The veteran will also move from the weakside linebacker spot (occupied by LVE) and take over on the strong side, a spot vacated by Damien Wilson.

Lee wasn’t done there. In addition to learning a new position and taking less salary, No. 50 has also volunteered to help on special teams. Understanding that this is an important job — and knowing the past SAM linebacker helped on coverage units — Lee is stepping up in order to help the team succeed.

"“I am just trying to help anyway I can,” Lee said Sunday via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “I like being on the field. I want to try to make an impact. You can make a lot of plays on special teams, hopefully plays that can change a game. Having an impact anyway I can, that’s my goal.”"

As good as Smith and Vander Esch are, having a leader such as Lee on the field is invaluable. His positive attitude is contagious and leading by example is something that the two youngsters can learn from.

Of course with Lee, the question always centers around health. He’s easily been one of the top-10 linebackers in the NFL throughout his career but has had terrible luck with injuries.