5 Inside Linebackers the Cowboys Could Pursue |

5 Inside Linebackers the Cowboys Could Pursue

The Dallas Cowboys lost star inside linebacker Sean Lee for the 2014 NFL season thanks to a torn ACL. It’s one rough ticket, but sooner or later the team has to move on.

Lee was their best player, but not finding an adequate replacement could make for a very long season. After all, Dallas was a horrendous defense for most of last season even when Lee was active, so dropping down to a rookie or another inexperienced player could prove to be catastrophic.

That is why the ‘Boys are reportedly surveying the open market for any feasible options left over in free agency. Most of them are aged veterans, players asking for more money than they’re worth or guys dealing with injuries of their own. However, some of these big names or talents are worth considering – especially when the alternative is to sink or swim with a shot in the dark replacement.

Here’s a look at five inside linebackers still available in free agency that Dallas might have their eye on:

Brian Urlacher

Already 36 and retired, Urlacher spent 2013 out of football after the Bears wouldn’t pay him what he wanted. He ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it to take a paycut to play elsewhere, opting to retire as a Bear. However, the Lee injury apparently has Urlacher thinking a comeback and if the interest is mutual, it’s not impossible he could come to the Cowboys.

Urlacher has bum knees and has lost his speed and explosiveness, but he’s still sound against the run and would bring great leadership and experience. He’s only a two-down player at best at this point, but he’d probably help out a lot more than people give him credit for.

While it’s an interesting thought that could be a great story, we’d bet against Urlacher making a return. He’s emphatically said in the past that he wouldn’t un-retire.

Jonathan Vilma

Vilmas is much younger than Urlacher at 32, but also has had knee issues and isn’t the same player he was just three seasons ago. He was able to rest up for much of 2013, though, so it’s entirely possible he could have more juice than we’ve seen lately. He’s probably a better risk than Urlacher, but not by much.

London Fletcher

Oh, wouldn’t this be something? The former Redskin is retired and has publicly stated he wouldn’t return unless it was late in the season or for a playoff run. The 39-year old also might not be too thrilled about playing for a long-time division rival of his Redskins, either. Still, Fletcher was serviceable in his final season and could be a great fit in a platoon after posting his 14th 100+ tackle season despite taking some plays off in 2013.

Erin Henderson

Now we might be getting somewhere. Henderson is much younger than the above options and would possess a little more upside at just 28. He’s no freak athlete, but Henderson proved to be a solid presence over the middle for the Minnesota Vikings last year, as he racked up 112 tackles and notched four sacks. He has some solid versatility, but does come with some baggage. Henderson has had numerous run-ins with the law over the past year, so Dallas would have to work their way around that first.

Desmond Bishop

Bishop is an interesting case, as he was a bit of a stud for two straight seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2010-2011), but has had two season-ending injuries in each of the past two seasons. He might not be the same player he once was, but if he can get/stay healthy, he’d have a chance to prove his doubters wrong. Dallas is in bad enough shape to cross their fingers that he can make a successful comeback at 30 years old. At the very worst, he’d offer depth and competition and would likely come pretty cheap.

Other options on the open market include Dan Conner, Pat Angerer, Stewart Bradley and Nick Barnett. Each of these players have similar downside, as all are talented and could help Dallas, but all of them also have had injury issues or have experienced a drop in play over the past few seasons.