Leighton Vander Esch was seemingly drafted to replace Sean Lee. The aging linebacker has missed more time throughout his career than practically any other star in the league, and dealt with hamstring issues that kept him out of five games last year. The Cowboys went 1-4 in such games last season, and didn't want to be caught unprepared again this season. They picked Vander Esch to eventually take Lee's place, but also to serve as insurance this season.

They received their payout on that insurance in Sunday's victory over the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys allowed only 24 points, down from the 35 each they gave up in their first two games without Lee last season (both losses) and the 29.9 that they gave up on average without him last year. Vander Esch performed his duties admirably, excelling against both the run and pass and looking like a future star of Lee's caliber. Of course, he had some help from the original himself. Lee advised Vander Esch both before and during the game, and the rookie revealed what Lee told him afterward to assembled media at his locker.

"‘Just be confident and do what you do.’ He said ‘there’s a reason you’re here, just do what you do, you’ve done amazing, just keep being you and everything will take of itself. Just trust your instincts and go play.’”

To receive a blessing like that from Lee is telling. Vander Esch had played very well in limited snaps early in the season, but nobody knew what to expect with him in his first game as a starter. He lived up to Lee's advice, but he also mentioned another important linebacker in describing his success in the Lions game.

"I’m just having fun out there. I just love running around on the field, making plays with everybody, communicating with Jaylon [Smith]. There’s nothing else better, it’s your lifestyle, you’re getting paid to play football. There’s absolutely nothing to complain about. Just go out there, do what the coaches ask you and have fun."

Lee may be the present at linebacker for the Cowboys, but Vander Esch and Smith are the future. It is absolutely imperative that the two develop strong chemistry moving forward, and it seems as though they already are. The lines of communication are open, and they are both aware that Lee won't be around to protect them forever. In their first chance to show fans what the future will look like at the position, Smith and Vander Esch passed the test with flying colors.

Lee is expected to miss a few more games, meaning Vander Esch will only have more chances to shine in his stead. When those two and Smith are all on the field at once later in the season, though, the Dallas defense has a chance to jump from good to great. With David Irving re-joining the team this week, the talent exists for the Cowboys to have an utterly dominant unit.