Former Cowboy Orie Lemon Makes First Start of the Season

Former Oklahoma State standout linebacker Orie Lemon is still struggling to adjust to the NFL. Lemon, who went undrafted in 2011, has found a home in Tampa Bay and is getting more playing time with the Bucs than any other team he’s been with. Lemon has made multiple appearances on team practice squads, but has only been a part of two teams on their active roster (the other being Dallas to start his career).

Lemon was the workforce behind the 11-2, 2010 Oklahoma State defense. As a senior, Lemon had an impresive 101 solo tackles and 133 all together. He was awarded a spot on the All-Big 12 first team defense but was denied a spot on the All-NCAA first team for outside reasons.  The fifth year senior tore his ACL days before the 2009 season opener and medical redshirted the year; Lemon joined Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter, and Dez Bryant as the notable Cowboys who missed games in the 2009 season. Lemon’s junior year in 2008 he was second on the team with 90 total tackles. He finished his career with 229 tackles and four interceptions.

All four of Lemon’s career starts have come with Tampa Bay, including his first start of the season tonight. Lemon and the rest of the Buccaneers defense did a good job of shutting down Todd Gurley, but had no answer for quarterback Case Keenum. Lemon and company held Gurley to 48 yards, while Keenum went 14-17 with 234 yards and a couple scores. Lemon had a couple tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the Bucs 31-23 loss.