Name: Orie Lemon
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-1 / 251
Experience: 1 season
College: Oklahoma State
Key stat: Lemon's only production came in the preseason, where he tied for third on the team with 10 tackles, including six solo stops.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013.
2011 Impact: Coming out of training camp, Orie Lemon's chances of making the 53-man roster seemed pretty good. He was impactful during the preseason games and stood out in practice with his hustle, awareness and tackle ability. Lemon tied for the third on the defense in the preseason games with 10 tackles. But the Cowboys ultimately decided to keep him on the practice squad and Lemon was never signed to the active roster – by the Cowboys or any other team – all season long. Lemon's impact was felt more on the scout team and practice squad. But he did get some practice reps when Sean Lee, Bradie James and Keith Brooking missed occasional time with various injuries.
Where He Fits: Depending on what the Cowboys do in the draft, but Lemon has a legitimate shot to be a contributor next season on the 53-man roster. With the club adding free agent veteran Dan Connor, who will likely serve in a three-man rotation with Sean Lee and Bruce Carter, there is some immediate depth. But assuming the Cowboys make it through the draft without taking a middle linebacker, look for Lemon to have an inside track to be one of the four inside backers, although it's likely a rookie free agent or two will be signed to compete.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: Lemon was a pretty productive player in college, and after a year on the practice squad - time to soak up Rob Ryan's defense - plus a full offseason of strength training, one would think he's got a pretty decent shot at winning a spot on the 53-man roster. A 3-4 team needs four inside linebackers. Sean Lee, Dan Connor, Bruce Carter and . . . why not Lemon? Given the depth at the position, I wouldn't think the Cowboys would address it in the draft, so there's definitely a spot for Lemon if he can win it.
Nick Eatman: Towards the end of the last year, it seemed obvious this team could've gotten more out of Lemon than maybe Bradie James and/or Keith Brooking. Not saying Lemon was ready to contribute on defense like those two veterans, but at least he could've helped some on special teams. People forget that linebackers are the key players to special teams. And last year, James and Brooking provided very little help in that area, which was a problem considering they weren't contributing much on defense either. At least with Lemon, if he makes the squad, his role will be more defined as a backup backer and special teams player.
Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6-1 / 251
Experience: 1 season
College: Oklahoma State
Key stat: Lemon's only production came in the preseason, where he tied for third on the team with 10 tackles, including six solo stops.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013.
2011 Impact: Coming out of training camp, Orie Lemon's chances of making the 53-man roster seemed pretty good. He was impactful during the preseason games and stood out in practice with his hustle, awareness and tackle ability. Lemon tied for the third on the defense in the preseason games with 10 tackles. But the Cowboys ultimately decided to keep him on the practice squad and Lemon was never signed to the active roster – by the Cowboys or any other team – all season long. Lemon's impact was felt more on the scout team and practice squad. But he did get some practice reps when Sean Lee, Bradie James and Keith Brooking missed occasional time with various injuries.
Where He Fits: Depending on what the Cowboys do in the draft, but Lemon has a legitimate shot to be a contributor next season on the 53-man roster. With the club adding free agent veteran Dan Connor, who will likely serve in a three-man rotation with Sean Lee and Bruce Carter, there is some immediate depth. But assuming the Cowboys make it through the draft without taking a middle linebacker, look for Lemon to have an inside track to be one of the four inside backers, although it's likely a rookie free agent or two will be signed to compete.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: Lemon was a pretty productive player in college, and after a year on the practice squad - time to soak up Rob Ryan's defense - plus a full offseason of strength training, one would think he's got a pretty decent shot at winning a spot on the 53-man roster. A 3-4 team needs four inside linebackers. Sean Lee, Dan Connor, Bruce Carter and . . . why not Lemon? Given the depth at the position, I wouldn't think the Cowboys would address it in the draft, so there's definitely a spot for Lemon if he can win it.
Nick Eatman: Towards the end of the last year, it seemed obvious this team could've gotten more out of Lemon than maybe Bradie James and/or Keith Brooking. Not saying Lemon was ready to contribute on defense like those two veterans, but at least he could've helped some on special teams. People forget that linebackers are the key players to special teams. And last year, James and Brooking provided very little help in that area, which was a problem considering they weren't contributing much on defense either. At least with Lemon, if he makes the squad, his role will be more defined as a backup backer and special teams player.
