LBs Coach Thinks Weak Side Suits Sean Lee

Sean Lee will move from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker on a full-time basis beginning in 2015, and linebackers coach Matt Eberflus believes the new position will fit Lee like a glove.

“A few years back before we went to this defense he played Will linebacker,” Eberflus said, per Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas. “We were in a lot of under fronts and he was playing behind the three technique (defensive tackle) and you kind of saw what his capabilities were there. If you marry him to the three technique, he’s going to be more of a run and hit guy, and that’s where his instincts and natural abilities sort of lean that way. So he’ll be really successful at that position.”

The Cowboys are very optimistic about the move. Like Eberflus, head coach Jason Garrett believes the move suits Lee and what’s more, he thinks it could help keep him healthy and on the field. For his part, Jerry Jones expressed a hope this offseason that Lee could move to the weakside while Rolando McClain plays in Lee’s old spot in the middle, as he did a year ago. Jones got his wish and McClain re-signed with the Cowboys.

Eberflus believes McClain can be even better this year, as he won’t be working his way out of retirement and back into football--he’ll have the benefit of an offseason.

“Just really the strength and conditioning part of it,” Eberflus said. “I think that’s the biggest thing and really getting a foundation of the calls and the fundamentals that we’re teaching here: how to take on a block, how to drop to a zone, how to set up on the quarterback and all of those things. Just being here, strength and conditioning, fundamentals, that’s only going to get better.”