You could definitely see Vander Esch retirement coming since 2019 honestly, his play never got back to the point that he was at his rookie season when he had 140 tackles & 102 solo tackles. He never eclipsed 100 tackles in a season after his rookie year, as he showed obvious signs of hesitation going into tackles because of his neck injuries. Really had questions/serious concerns about his neck even at Boise State but Dallas decided to take the gamble on him just like we did with Jaylon Smith, who was a Top 5 talent going into the draft before his horrific knee injury (cheap shot at that).
Who I think was the better LB, most consistent of the 3 would definitely be Sean Lee. He was pretty much the stalemate of our defense for many years (him and Demarcus Ware before he went to Denver) when he was in the lineup and not in the lineup it was a night and day type difference. He was sideline to sideline, felt like he was in the middle of every play, felt like he made the tackle every play almost, a great captain as well. I think Sean Lee bar he staying healthy, would have been a sure fire half of famer. Another person I’d say was London Fletcher who didn’t battle injuries like Sean Lee, but was criminally underrated. Fletcher was all over the field, and made tackles like crazy. Hated when we played against the guy, especially Brian Dawkins.
I also think if Vander Esch didn’t have his neck injuries and played like he did his rookie season, that he would have multiple pro bowl awards even All-Pro awards. Maybe 2nd team now idk yall would compare him to Fred Warner or Roquan Smith nowadays. And if Jaylon Smith didn’t have his knee injury in college I think we all know he’d be that Top 2% of MLBs
2 comments
Is Sean Lee playing?
Both had an injury history when drafted.