Manny Lawson "the freak"

[Clove]

Now that our best look for an OLB (Arrington) is off the free agent market, I think that JJ and BP should seriously think about drafting Manny Lawson.

Just on physical ability alone and his College stats, He will be a Pro Bowler in 2 to 3 years.

I was floored when I compared his agility drills with some of the WR/CB/S/RB in the league.

His most impressive agility drill is the 10 yard dash.
10 yard dash - Pure EXPLOSIVENESS. Sort of like a Lamborghini VS a Kia. They both get
to 60 MPH, but the Lamborghini is at 60 before the kia can get to 15mph. That's what the
10 yard dash is for. If you're a WR, you have to accelerate upfield quickly. If you're a Linebacker
you have to explode to the runner quickly. If you're a corner, you have to accelerate towards
the ball when it's in the air and close quickly. If you're a DE, you have to blow by tackles into
the back field as quick as possible, so IMO the 10 yard dash is the MOST IMPORTANT drill
at the combine.
Examples of players with fast 10 yd dash times: Steve Smith/Santana Moss/Terrell Owens/Terrance Newman/DeMarcus Ware/Deion Sanders/Barry Sanders/ Just to name a few.
Manny Lawson Runs a 1.53 & these guys turned in slower times:

OLB A.J.Hawk
FS K.O. Simpson
CB Antonio Cromartie
CB/PR Devin Hester (punt return specialist)
WR Chad Jackson
WR/PR Skyler Green
WR/PR Greg Jennings
WR/PR Jeremy Bloom
RB/KR/PR Maurice Drew (Blazing fast and number 1 in the nation in Punt Returns)
S Greg Blue
S Bernard Pollard
S Anthony Smith
S Darnell Bing
S Calvin Lowery
CB Cedric Griffin
WR Jeff Webb (very fast)
1st out of all linebackers and defensive ends.
2nd best of the tight ends (behind "freak" Vernon Davis)
4th best of all the Wide receivers.


Lawsons 40 time was a 4.43.
He matched or surpassed these below:


RB DeAngelo Williams (TOP 10)
RB Lendale White (TOP 10)
QB Vince Young (TOP 10)
SS Darnell Bing (TOP 10)
WR/PR Skyler Green
CB Ashton Youboty (TOP 10)
CB Cedric Griffin
SS Greg Blue (TOP 10)
SS Dawan Lundry
CB DeMario Minter (TOP 10)
CB Alan Zemaitis (TOP 10)
FS Anthony Smith (TOP 10)
PR/WR Jeremy Bloom
WR Hank Baskett
WR Jason Avant (TOP 10)
WR Maurice Stovall (TOP 10)
WR Mike Hass (TOP 10)
PR/WR Corey Rogers
RB Dontrell Moore
FS Roman Harper
FS Dwayne Slay
RB Laurence Maroney (TOP 10)
2nd fastest of all the tightends
fastest defensive end
fastest ILB
4th fastest OLB
Reggie Bush and "Freak" A.J. Hawk both ran a 4.42/Lawson 4.43 (real close)
Also faster than over 47 Wide receivers/42 cornerbacks/44 running backs and 39 safeties.

Witout making this thread too much longer, I won't add the 3 cone drill which tests quickness and mobility. But let's just say he was better than tons of CB/WR/S & RB.

The one that impresses me the most is his 10 yard dash time. Do you understand how
fast that is? WOW!!! Ware ran a 1.62/ WR Antwaan Randal El Ran a 1.59 and a 4.49 40 (slower than Lawson)/
And the fastest guy in the draft last year Jerome Mathis who ran a 4.28 40 ran a 1.53
10 yard dash. So a guy with world class speed - a six time champion in track and field
in highschool, can't out run a 6'5 lineman/olb within 10 yards. all I have to say is, if we
somehow draft Lawson, Lawson will be in the backfield before the QB can take his 3 step
drop, and no O-lineman can continuously keep up with that speed. He's a 'FREAK' I would not have him gain much more weight, just get strong as an ox. He already had great strength, and he won't rush the passer every down, but when he does get after the QB, Tackles had better hold on....

[AsthmaField]

The closer the draft gets... the more I'm leaning towards wanting us to draft Lawson. He definately has all the tools to be a very good OLB.

[Cajuncowboy]

Are you telling us that Lawson ran a 4.43 40 and a 1.53 in the 10?

If those numbers are correct I would draft him in a heart beat.

Man those are freakish numbers.

[BigDFan5]

Are you telling us that Lawson ran a 4.43 40 and a 1.53 in the 10?

If those numbers are correct I would draft him in a heart beat.

Man those are freakish numbers.

those numbers are correct

[big dog cowboy]

Now that our best look for an OLB (Arrington) is off the free agent market
Didn't want to come here, never on our radar. Arrington lovers need to get over it especially since he signed with the Jags. In regards to Lawson, I would be thrilled if we took him at 18. He would really upgrade our D big time.

[cowboyjoe]

Well, I still think we can trade down to 20th or 24th pick or so and still get Lawon. Draft experts have him going 27th to 31st pick in first round. So, I am hoping we can trade down, pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd rounder. That would really help us. And by the way, Henson is looking really good right now in NFLEurope in todays game.

[ddh33]

I think Lawson will be one of the big risers at the draft. Pass rushers who have those measurables always do. If you want him, you better hope he lasts to 18. I don't think you're going to be able to move down and get him though...

[Dyluke]

The thing i am curious about is why isn't Lawson shooting up the draftboards like Ware did last year? On most mocks you will either see lawson going mid-teens to early 2nd. Last year at this time, Ware was talked about as being a possible top 10. Is Ware that much better or is this draft class just stronger?

[Killersanta]

Im a fan of Manny Lawson, i would take him if he there. But i will not move up to get manny. There are other great players we can pick up at 18th like:

Ko simpson

Or

Chad Jackson I know we don't need a WR, but just watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sktpj...Chad%20Jackson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sktpj...Chad%20Jackson)
And he ran a 4.32

[Bobo]

Lots of folks have called Kiwi the next Freak (while comparing him to Jevon Kearse), but Lawson seems like that guy. If Ware is a good fit on the left, then Lawson on the right sounds like an excellent pair.

[dallasfan]

The thing i am curious about is why isn't Lawson shooting up the draftboards like Ware did last year? On most mocks you will either see lawson going mid-teens to early 2nd. Last year at this time, Ware was talked about as being a possible top 10. Is Ware that much better or is this draft class just stronger?

This draft has a lot more talent than last years. Besides I really think Cleveland will take him unless someone like Ngata falls to them. What I don't understand is why some fans of 4-3 teams want this guy (over at KFFL there are several Vikings and Dolphin fans who say they wouldn't mind drafting him in the first). At 6-5 241 he is clearly not a DE, and his weakness in pass coverege will be exploited as a 4-3 OLB, Lawson's only position IMO is a 3-4 OLB.

[Clove]

The thing i am curious about is why isn't Lawson shooting up the draftboards like Ware did last year? On most mocks you will either see lawson going mid-teens to early 2nd. Last year at this time, Ware was talked about as being a possible top 10. Is Ware that much better or is this draft class just stronger?I would say because of his size. He's only 241 pds and that's too light for a DE. But if you are a 3-4 team, he is the perfect piece.

[Charles]

He's rising up in almost every mock draft ala Demarcus Ware last year.

I think there's a team above us who will fall Lawson like the Cowboys did Ware.

[ghst187]

Cowboy Love, I've been sold on Lawson for quite a while also. I'm there with ya bro!

[WilmingtonHeel]

He is rising the draft board he was projected early 3rd late 2nd last fall now 1st. Lawson coming off the edge would be deadly

[BlueStar II]

I would be happy to see us take Lawson when we're on the clock, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him gone before 18 though.

[cowboyjoe]

Well, Lawson does have speed, etc, but I have heard, that he only has one pass rush move. Even Many Lawson said he only had one pass rush move. So, I think with that, his smallish size as DE, along with not playing hardly any at linebacker. Is causing him to fall some.

True, I do think we need to grab him at 18, but hopefully, I have heard that this is the best draft in last 15 years. And you still can get some good prospects like Lawson, Carpenter, Winston, Justice past 20th pick.

Therefore I was thinking, say we make a trade with Kansas City, move down just 2 spots, I think that could get us a 4th or 3rd rounder. If we move alittle further down, we could get another 3rd or 2nd rounder. Not too far mind you, since the Patriots have been saying that they like McNeil OT out of Auburn, & Manny Lawson too, then about the 25th pick or so, you know that the Giants are going to pick a linebacker, pretty sure I would say so.

Dont get too cute you know, but maybe get another draft pick for value if we move down.

[ThreeSportStar80]

Manny Lawson at 18 would sort of be a stretch but if the Cowboys could move down to the 22nd or 23rd spot and acquire some extra draft picks then I would be all for it!!! Hell I'm just ready to see what the Cowboys will do!!!!!!!

[adbutcher]

Shsssh with all this Lawson talk, me and Hos are trying to keep him a secret.;)

[fishspill]

The site I refer to for Combine stuff shows Thomas Howard of UTEP also ran a 1.53 10-yard. Seems to be a Lawson doppleganger. Either is swell by me.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/nflcombinebypos.php?draftyear=2006&GenPos=OLB&sortorder=LastName&order=ASC

[Typhus]

Don't get me wrong. I think Lawson is a heck of a talent and I think he'd make the Dallas pass rush deadly.
But I see him as more of a weak-side player.
I just can't envision Lawson punching offensive linemen in the mouth (although, he has long arms and is supposed to be very strong). Now, if Lawson is the choice, I can see Ware on the strong side.
He has all the tools.

Our defense really needs that one last peice and I think BP is foaming at the mouth at the LB talent this year. Good OLBs are hard to come by and I think BP slam dunked on Ware.

The one position I trust BP to get right is LB.
He wanted Merriman last season and look what happened.
We got Ware and look what happened.
His track record with LBs speaks for itself. However, I have a funny feeling that when our pick comes, Carpenter, Greenway , Thomas and maybe, just maybe, Lawson, will be on the board as well.
Which makes for nice trade down situation.

Either way, this draft is really good for us. Plenty of good linebackers and OT's. A couple decent guard prospects too.

I see us getting Carpenter though, provided his stock doesn't go up after the combine

[Clove]

The site I refer to for Combine stuff shows Thomas Howard of UTEP also ran a 1.53 10-yard. Seems to be a Lawson doppleganger. Either is swell by me.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/nflcombinebypos.php?draftyear=2006&GenPos=OLB&sortorder=LastName&order=ASC

Thomas Howard is a 1st class talent and I mean 1st class. He actually has Lawson beat with the 40 time and ties him in burst, the only place Lawson has him is in Bench Press and quickness/mobility. So with that being said, if we had to pass on Lawson, and Howard or Carpenter was the guy, I would pull the trigger. Howard put up better tackle numbers than Carpenter with 85, but Carpenter put up better sack numbers. That may be because they didn't have Howard rushing the passer more, but it's time to do some serious research on Howard.

I'll be back with you ladies and gentlemen. :)

[Bobo]

From what I saw of Howard, his play left a lot to be desried from such an athletic freak.

Someone said Lawson only has one rush move. People have said that was a shortcoming of Kearse too. Kearse was something like 245 when drafted. They may be picked around the same time....these guys are sounding earily similar.

[K-DOGG]

I would love to see Lawson at the 18th pick, but I think he will be long gone!!!!:banghead:

[ThreeSportStar80]

Naa I think Manny Lawson will be there at 18 but the question is whether or not that's too high to take him.

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm sorry to say, since I started the Lawson Bandwagon, but I think Cleveland takes him at 12

[Bob Sacamano]

but I have heard, that he only has one pass rush move. Even Many Lawson said he only had one pass rush move. So, I think with that, his smallish size as DE, along with not playing hardly any at linebacker. Is causing him to fall some.

this is the only knock I found in your post, you can teach pass-rush moves, you can't however, teach Lawson's freakish size, speed, burst and agility skills, so he'll go top 15, to Cleveland at 12 IMO

FYI, he switched to DE from OLB after his Junior year, so he has experience turning and running with TEs and RBS in coverage from the OLB position

[neosapien23]

I'm sorry to say, since I started the Lawson Bandwagon, but I think Cleveland takes him at 12

Yeah I think he will be gone too. If Cleveland pass up on him for Ngata or Mario Williams, than the Dolphins will snag him.

[Justis]

My favorite pick

[Clove]

this is the only knock I found in your post, you can teach pass-rush moves, you can't however, teach Lawson's freakish size, speed, burst and agility skills, so he'll go top 15, to Cleveland at 12 IMO

FYI, he switched to DE from OLB after his Junior year, so he has experience turning and running with TEs and RBS in coverage from the OLB positionWe have cross our fingers that Ngata falls to Cleveland. If that happens, then Lawson keeps falling to us. If we don't pick him, he doesn't get past New England since McGinest left town.

[Q_the_man]

Never heard of him or saw him play and no he is not shooting up draft boards and no we don't need a LB in the 1st we have 4 starting young LBs....

We need a young ballhawk Safety or a WR in the 1st or even trade down there is alot of depht in this draft, especially when u have RODERICK WRIGHT falling into the 3rd round....

I like proven players that perform not skyrocket for no reason, a combine, lol everyplayer does good at the combine most of the times, I like performance!!!!!

Give me Simpson, Allen, Wright, Jackson, Holmes, Mcniel... just one of those players and I'll be happy

[Bob Sacamano]

We have cross our fingers that Ngata falls to Cleveland. If that happens, then Lawson keeps falling to us. If we don't pick him, he doesn't get past New England since McGinest left town.

we also have to think about it being a strong possibility that we trade down from 18, even with Lawson on the board at 18, there's alot of quality OLB prospects, that I don't think it would preclude Dallas from trading down if he's there, bringing the whole depth of the draft class into the equation

[AbeBeta]

we also have to think about it being a strong possibility that we trade down from 18, even with Lawson on the board at 18, there's alot of quality OLB prospects, that I don't think it would preclude Dallas from trading down if he's there, bringing the whole depth of the draft class into the equation

I like Lawson but I think he's a reach at #18. Love to see us drop back and get that 4th back.

[Clove]

Never heard of him or saw him play and no he is not shooting up draft boards and no we don't need a LB in the 1st we have 4 starting young LBs....

We need a young ballhawk Safety or a WR in the 1st or even trade down there is alot of depht in this draft, especially when u have RODERICK WRIGHT falling into the 3rd round....

I like proven players that perform not skyrocket for no reason, a combine, lol everyplayer does good at the combine most of the times, I like performance!!!!!

Give me Simpson, Allen, Wright, Jackson, Holmes, Mcniel... just one of those players and I'll be happyI wouldn't be sad over any of those except Wright. I don't think he fits the 3-4 personally.