Big Ten spotlight: PSU's Sean Lee, Part II

November, 20, 2009
11/20/09
3:00
PM ET
Here's the second half of my interview with Penn State senior linebacker Sean Lee. For Part I, click here.

Are you sensing the urgency from the other seniors right now, or even a guy like Navorro [Bowman] who might not be back in 2010?

Sean Lee: For sure. We knew coming into this week that we were going to have to play our best, especially playing Michigan State at their place. With everything else in line, especially with us trying to put ourselves in the best position and it being a lot of guys' last games, we want to go out on a high note and try to set ourselves up well.

Slow starts have been a bit of an issue for you guys. How do you remedy that at Michigan State?

Lee: We've got to not make any silly mistakes, whether it's defensively, on the offensive side of the ball or even through special teams. We just have to jump on that because Michigan State, offensively, they can score a lot of points. So if you let them jump on you, it's going to be a very tough game.

What has stood out to you about Michigan State's offense?

Lee: [Kirk] Cousins is really talented. It seems like they just bring back really talented guys who have great arms who can make a ton of throws. They're a very similar type of team, where they've got a big offensive line with good running backs. They're tough and they can run the ball. But at the same time, if they need to throw it and spread it out, they have the quarterback and the receivers and the tight ends that can really be serious threats. We're going to have to stop that run game first and after that, make plays in the passing game.

I know you always scout the opposing offense, but do you ever watch a guy like Greg Jones? A lot of people are excited about the linebacker play in this game with him and you and Navorro on the same field.

Lee: Yeah, he's great. He's always around the ball. That's what's so impressive about him. He has such great instincts, and to go along with that, he's a really good athlete. When you put that combination together, it's tough. He's been so productive throughout his career so far. He's a true junior and, is he still leading the nation in tackles? He's obviously having a huge season. It's fun to watch another linebacker who is a great football player with great instincts. That's what you love to watch on the other side of the ball, and that's what you like to compete against.

You have such a great tradition at linebacker at Penn State. How would you like to be remembered there?

Lee: I just want to be remembered as a guy who's always gone hard, who's always tried to lead the team, who's always tried to build on the tradition we've had of having tough, blue-collar guys who do whatever it takes to try to help the football team win.

I know you're focused on this season, but when you look ahead at the program and the future, what do you see?

Lee: If you look at the recruiting classes we've had, especially the freshman class this year, there's a ton of talent. It's whether you can get a few guys in certain positions to step up early in their careers. And I think we will. We'll pass that leadership down, and we have a ton of young leaders on this team that are going to keep this program going.

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