The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are set for a Sunday afternoon showdown, and Dallas linebacker Sean Lee is better prepared to stop DeMarco Murray thanks to DeMarco Murray.
According to Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News, Lee had high praise for Murray, who led the NFL with 1,845 rushing yards last season. Lee said:
“He’s an unbelievable player. When he was here, he was tough to practice against. He made me a better football player with how he practiced.”
Lee continued, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming matchup:
“I know it’s going to be tough. I know when you play him you better bring your best football because he’s going to play at a certain level with a certain amount of passion, so we’re going to have to raise our game.”
Murray spent four seasons with the Cowboys after the franchise drafted him in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft.
His stellar 2014 campaign afforded Murray a chance to demand a hefty paycheck in free agency, but Dallas couldn’t afford both Murray and Dez Bryant. The Oklahoma product ultimately signed with the Eagles, where he’s adjusting to a more horizontal running attack compared to his up-the-guy style.
Lee is one of the Cowboys most responsible for keeping Murray from reaching the edge, and containing the talented back would help shift the outcome toward Dallas’ favor.
And if the linebacker is able to do limit Murray’s impact, Lee can give a hearty “thank you” to the player who indirectly sharpened his skills: DeMarco Murray.