Player Profile

PRO: The Cowboys believe they addressed their long-term future depth at either guard or center with Matt Lehr (pronounced LAIR), selected with the 137th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Lehr combines good athleticism with excellent technique to dominate his man at the line of scrimmage. He has worked at guard and center during his first two professional seasons to provide the Cowboys with a more versatile reserve lineman. Entering his third season, Lehr is hoping to continue impressing coaches with his versatility and work ethic as he battles for additional playing time.

2002: Lehr's versatility proved key as he saw action in 12 games, lining up at both guard spots and center during the year. He also earned four starts - two an left guard and two as center - during the season. In the season opener at Houston (9/8), Lehr spelled Kelvin Garmon (knee) at right guard in the second quarter. In the Cowboys home opening win against Tennessee (9/15), Lehr stepped in to replace Larry Allen (ankle) at left guard, helping the line allow just one sack in 25 pass attempts. Lehr earned his first NFL start at left guard in place of Allen at Philadelphia (9/22). The following week at St. Louis (9/29), he took over at right guard for Solomon Page (ribs) in the fourth quarter. Lehr earned his second career start, his first at center, in place of Andre Gurode (toe) against the N.Y. Giants (10/6), and he was part of a line that helped Dallas rack up 340 total yards and allow just two sacks in 44 pass plays. He started his second consecutive game at center against Carolina (10/13) but moved to right guard in the second half when Page (respiratory problems) was forced from the game. At Arizona (10/20), Lehr earned his fourth start of the season, this time back at left guard for Allen. Midway through the first quarter, he suffered a strained PCL in his left knee and missed the remainder of the game. The injury kept him on the sidelines the next two weeks, but he returned to limited action at Indianapolis (11/17). Lehr was active but did not play against Jacksonville (11/24) and then replaced Gurode (groin) at right guard in the Thanksgiving Day win against Washington (11/28). In that game, Lehr was part of an offensive front that led Dallas to a season-high 211 rushing yards, including a season-high 144 yards by Emmitt Smith - putting him over the 17,000 yard mark for career rushing - and his fourth consecutive 100-yard day against the Redskins. Against San Francisco (12/8), Lehr spelled Gurode (jaw contusion) at right guard in the second quarter. He was active but did not play the final three weeks of the season.

2001: Lehr saw his first NFL action as a rookie with a fourth quarter stint at left guard in the second week of the season at Philadelphia (9/30). The following two weeks, Lehr was active but did not play. Against Arizona (10/28), he saw action at both guard spots for Allen and Garmon for a limited number of snaps when they were forced from the game. At Arizona (12/23), Lehr saw considerable time at right guard in the first half, helping Dallas rush for 174 yards on the day, including a season-high 128 by Smith. In the season finale at Detroit (1/6/02), Lehr played almost the entire game at right guard after Garmon re-aggravated a sprained right foot. In the game, he helped protect Carter (no sacks) and block for Smith as he gained 77 yards rushing and topped the 1,000-yard mark for an NFL record 11th consecutive season.

COLLEGE: As a senior, Lehr earned second-team All-Big East and All-America honors while allowing only half a sack and five quarterback pressures and leading the team with 57 knockdown blocks. His performance throughout the season also earned him selection to play in the Hula Bowl. Lehr started all 12 games as a junior at left guard and surrendered only one sack and just three quarterback pressures to earn second-team All-Big East honors and help take the Hokies to the BCS National Championship game. After seeing practice time at guard and tackle during spring workouts of his sophomore year, Lehr injured his ankle during preseason practice and missed Tech's first two games. He saw his first action of the year in the third week and midway through the season he moved into the starting lineup.

PERSONAL: Matthew Steven Lehr played offensive guard and defensive end for Woodbridge, Va., High School. The three-time all-district and all-region selection earned Group AAA all-state honors for his work on the offensive line during his final prep season. He contributed 40 tackles and six sacks on defense while averaging 20 pancake blocks-per-game to garner All-America honors from PrepStar. The finance major averaged 12 pancake blocks a game as a junior to earn all-state accolades. He also garnered all-state honors as a member of the Woodbridge track team in the shot put. During the 2002 and 2003 offseasons, Lehr participated the Plano Komen Race For The Cure benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation and also served as a football coach for the team's annual Let Us Play! Sports Camp for 150 underprivileged girls from area non-profit agencies. He has also contributed clothing and toys to The Salvation Army Angel Tree program which served needy children. As a rookie, Lehr was a member of the Cowboys inaugural "Rookie Club", a program designed to introduce rookies to community service. Throughout the season, the rookies made visits to and spent time with children at Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Oak Cliff Boys and Girls Clubs, The Salvation Army and its' Christmas Distribution Center. He also took part in the Pegasus Project with the team's offensive line and the RISE School of Dallas, which helped raise awareness for the arts in Dallas. Lehr played the role of the "Grim Reaper" in the Fatal Choices, Shattered Dreams program, a DWI program featuring a mock traffic accident at Oak Ridge High School in Arlington, Texas.