In the wake of losing Sean Lee for the season, Jerry Jones uttered,

"I've said all along I think this team has an opportunity to be a contender, but the one exception that I made was, sitting as we're sitting right now health-wise, injury can make a difference and does in the NFL."

(http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4700134/is-jerry-jones-changing-his-tune-on-the-cowboys-being-contenders)

Of course the howls from the minimally informed, over exuberant critics of Jones and the Cowboys immediately drew attention to the plight of the 2010 Green Bay Packers. The Packers placed 15 players on injured reserve before winning the Super Bowl that season.

The challenge rang out, "If the Packers could lose 15 players and win the Super Bowl, the Cowboys have no excuses!" - ESPN radio Dallas, Galloway and Co

The Packers did have their share of injuries ending the season of many players in 2010. Note the names on the list below.

*Was injured before making team in pre season

Rookies are in italics

Some of the names on the list are recognizable, but none are in the category of Sean Lee. Notice the players that were injured during the 2010 that are still on the Packers roster, just over one season removed from winning a championship.

Green Bay still deserves credit for winning the Super Bowl, regardless of the injuries that the team needed to overcome. In reality, the Packers only truly lost a back-up linebacker, three rookies that would remain and contribute to the team, and a quality tight end whose contributions are minimized in the West Coast offensive variation run by the Packers.

There is no doubt that the Cowboys will make every possible attempt to retain Sean Lee through the 2014 season. Lee is one of the cornerstones of the Dallas Cowboys organization. According to several analysts (including some on this site), Sean was the most valuable player on this Dallas team through seven weeks.

Despite the awe-inspiring volume of injuries suffered by the Packers in 2010, none of the players lost by Green Bay that season approximate the value to the team that Sean Lee does to the Cowboys. Since most rookies do not approach their potential for several years, it is reasonable to assume that Lee's productivity in his third season with Dallas will be missed much more than that of the rookies noted in the table above.

Had a player such as Charles Woodson been lost to season ending injured reserve during the Packers' magical run in 2010, I doubt Green Bay would have even been playing in Arlington on Super Bowl Sunday. As most fans will agree, losing a dozen JAG's (Just Another Guy) is less damaging than losing one superstar.

Just ask Ravens fans if they miss Ray Lewis. Maybe Jerry Jones understands the significance of missing Sean Lee more than most.