Re-Signing Sean Lee

[Midswat]

ESPN Dallas expects the Cowboys to sign MLB Sean Lee to a contract extension before the regular season starts.

Lee is entering the final year of his rookie contract. When healthy, he's shown legit first-team All-Pro upside while tacking up 162 tackles and five interceptions in his last 21 games. His issue has been injuries, dating back to a 2008 ACL tear while at Penn State and continuing with last year's torn toe ligament. Still, Lee figures to at least command something similar to the five-year, $35 million deal Dannell Ellerbe signed with the Dolphins in March. He's set to play the Ray Lewis/Brian Urlacher role in Dallas' new Tampa-2 scheme. Jul 3 - 10:26 AM

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Whats his value?

If you're Steve Jones, what kind of contract you offer the kid?

You comfortable giving him 7-8 mil a year considering his injury history?

 

[Cotton]

7-8 mill a year is too high. I would probably sign him to 5 mill or so per on a short term 2 year contract, and then if he can show he can stay healthy over those two years sign him to a longer term deal.

 

[Midswat]

He'd never sign that though, would he? I mean, there's no denying his impact when he's on the field. He's arguably our best defender. And the best leader we have too.

 

[Cotton]

You asked what I would offer him if I were Stephen Jones. That's what I would offer him.

 

[Midswat]

So if he came back and said give me 7 over three you'd let him walk>?

 

[Cotton]

So if he came back and said give me 7 over three you'd let him walk>?

Read, Middie. Gah! You asked what I would offer him. That's what I would offer him. I didn't say I would let him walk if he said no. And, if you mean 7 mill per over 3 I would have to think about it very carefully.

 

[Bluenoser]

If I could sign Lee for what Ellerbe got, I would do it and not look back. Even if he was injured on and off he would probably still have similar stats to Ellerbe. He is the defensive leader of our team and for that price he is a bargain.

 

[Cotton]

No way I sign him to a 5 year deal. I would let him walk if he insisted on that long of a contract at this point.

 

[Bluenoser]

7-8 mill a year is too high. I would probably sign him to 5 mill or so per on a short term 2 year contract, and then if he can show he can stay healthy over those two years sign him to a longer term deal.

With our luck he would ball out, get signed for big money, then get hurt.

 

[Cotton]

With our luck he would ball out, get signed for big money, then get hurt.

He has shown a history of not being able to complete a single season. I think 3 years would be the max I would go.

Otherwise, if we do have to cut him our cap situation gets even worse.

 

[Texas Ace]

I wouldn't sign him until after the season.

We keep getting ourselves into trouble because we resign our players prematurely.

Make the guy prove he can stay healthy before you commit to him.

 

[dbair1967]

7-8 mill a year is too high. I would probably sign him to 5 mill or so per on a short term 2 year contract, and then if he can show he can stay healthy over those two years sign him to a longer term deal.

highly doubtful he'd agree to that...he'd get way more than that if he hits the open market, unless he has some really serious injury

he's unfortunately been hurt the last two years, but when he is on the field he is definitely one of the best LB's in the league

 

[dbair1967]

No way I sign him to a 5 year deal. I would let him walk if he insisted on that long of a contract at this point.

You don't get better as a team by letting your best young players leave

 

[Bob Sacamano]

This isn't anything close to talking to a 30ish Jay Ratliff about an extension.

 

[Cotton]

You don't get better as a team by letting your best young players leave

You also don't get better as a team by signing players to long term deals who can't prove they can stay healthy.

 

[Cotton]

highly doubtful he'd agree to that...he'd get way more than that if he hits the open market, unless he has some really serious injury

he's unfortunately been hurt the last two years, but when he is on the field he is definitely one of the best LB's in the league

I would willing to bet he couldn't get 7 mill per on the open market. Especially not on a long term deal. 5 mill would be more like it.

 

[Cotton]

Listen, I love me some Lee, but if he can't stay healthy he is useless.

Just ask Felix Jones.

 

[dbair1967]

I would willing to bet he couldn't get 7 mill per on the open market. Especially not on a long term deal. 5 mill would be more like it.

I'd bet you'd be wrong.

If Dannell Ellerbe can get the contract he did on the open market, Sean Lee is gonna get at least that and most likely more. Lee is a better player.

 

[dbair1967]

Listen, I love me some Lee, but if he can't stay healthy he is useless.

Just ask Felix Jones.

Jones was never the same player after his 2nd or 3rd yr (for whatever reason)

I cant imagine Sean Lee's level of play is gonna drop off the edge of the map because of that freak toe injury.

 

[Cotton]

I'd bet you'd be wrong.

If Dannell Ellerbe can get the contract he did on the open market, Sean Lee is gonna get at least that and most likely more. Lee is a better player.

Comparing the two is dumb. Lee has a history of being hurt... a lot. Ellerbe had an injury free break out season last year.