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Lawson's been a disappointment for the 49ers. Maybe the switch to the Patriots style of 3-4 will help him, but it may just be that he's a 4-3 LB, and not really suited for the 3-4.
Or that its taken several years for him to beef up, and learn 3-4 concepts. I think he had around 5 sacks last season. As I recall Vrabel flashed occasionally too, but the Steelers gave up on him. Could be a similar case...
None the less he would be a good addition.
But Manny is just one one of some guys who may have lost their jobs to new rookies, Corwin Barwin another binkie from the past, has to be in job danger now that JJ Watt was taken. Bum's son wants to move Mario from DE to his OLB position, trying to duplicate what he did with DeMarcus Ware, and opening a place for JJ to play...
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Cunningham. Banta-Cain, Ninkovich, Moore, Murrell
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We expect to add a free agent. How is this so much worse than adding a draftee?
...
That graveyard is scary. I'm going to whistle too.
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I've seen 1-15 and 2-14 twice. I've seen the Patriots as relevant underdogs, hated favorites, and absolutely irrelevant. Hated is not the best, but it far, far, far from the worst.
Cunningham - Improved throughout the season and he really deserved a few more sacks. I can't wait to see him this season.
Banta-Cain - All he does is try a spin move and he always ends up on his ass. If Carter or another OLB makes the roster I would like to see TBC leave.
Ninkovich - He's not a great OLB but he made some big plays, I would really prefer if he was a situational player though....IOW, I would like a better OLB in his place.
Moore - Played well above expectations (really, who had any expectations for him though?) and I would like to see him back for depth.
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McCourty has to earn his way back into my sig To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Manny Lawson is one of the truly elite athletes in college football. Not only has he found time to play both end and linebacker, he’s also a track standout having competed in the long jump and hurdles during his time at NC St. As a linebacker in 2002, Lawson had 35 tackles, with one of them coming for loss. As a part time starter in 2003, he improved on all his numbers. He totaled 53 tackles, seven for loss, with three sacks. Lawson made the switch to DE in 2004, and became a full time starter for the first time in his career. On the year, he finished with 50 tackles, 12 for loss, and seven sacks. As a senior, Manny put it all together. He finished the season with career highs across the board: 58 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and 10.5 sacks.
Lawson is an absolute freak of an athlete. He has excellent agility, closing speed, and jumping ability. Pound for pound, he may also be the strongest player in the draft. There is not a single physical trait he lacks. On the football field, he is an emerging talent. He did not make too many plays early on, but once he moved to defensive end, he started to show his pass rushing ability. His upside is tremendous, and he could be a standout pass rusher at the next level. Lawson is also a standout special teamer.
With all his athletic gifts, he is prone to relying on them too often. A major part of that is due to his inexperience on the defensive line. As an end, he lacks the bulk to be a player against the run. Lawson carries the tweener tag, but that has not been a negative lately. Still, he may only fit for certain teams.
Manny Lawson has tremendous upside. As a pass rusher, he has as much pure talent as anyone in the draft. He is listed here as a defensive end, but he has the ability to play OLB in a 3-4 defense. Lawson is the type of player that makes team drool about his potential because of his physical talent. Pass rushers are put at a premium, so do not be surprised to see him crack the first round.
Pros:
The Niners used his as a coverage LB. He did not rush much. 59 Tackles 6 Passes defended with one Int, 2.5 Sacks as a pass rushing afterthought.
This guy has length, can tackle, can defend was a superb pass rusher in college and now has that BB experience.
6'5" and 4.3 speed with experience as an OLB.
Very under the radar!!!
His father was in the Air Force (BB likes a military backround). Look at his wonderlic!
Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic
6 ft 5⅜ in 241 lb 4.43 s 1.55 s 2.62 s 4.21 s 6.90 s 39½ in 10 ft 4 in 23 rep 43
DW Toys
BB passed on the guy in 2006 draft - he was selected by SF the pick after we selected LoMo @ 21. The pick before LoMo was Tamba Hali who was my binky , as was Kamreion Wimbley who lit it up last year as a Raider after meh 4 yrs with Browns
Lawson needs another 20 lbs to be a Pats system OLB.
But Manny is just one one of some guys who may have lost their jobs to new rookies, Corwin Barwin another binkie from the past, has to be in job danger now that JJ Watt was taken. Bum's son wants to move Mario from DE to his OLB position, trying to duplicate what he did with DeMarcus Ware, and opening a place for JJ to play...
While the new-look 3-4 Texans LB corps is now a little crowded (Williams will hold down one OLB spot by default, the other will likely go to Brian Cushing; leaving Barwin and Brooks Reed as the top backups unless one of these guys is moved to ILB next to DeMeco Ryans), Barwin is still on his rookie contract and there's no reason the Texans would give up on him now.
That's a scary 3-4 LB corps, and Watt and Antonio Smith are good 3-4 DEs, though the NT position (Shaun Cody will start) is a bit suspect.
It's too bad Charles Johnson will likely be a RFA when free agency finally hits, but if not I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots go after him as a OLB candidate. I like Ray Edwards, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Mark Anderson too in that order.
2Likes
Re: Cunningham, Banta-Cain, Ninkovich, Moore
, as was Kamreion Wimbley who lit it up last year as a Raider after meh 4 yrs with Browns
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