Manny Lawson overrated?

[CowboyWay]

I know there is alot of Manny Lawson talk around here, and I'll be honest, I haven't watched an NC State game to see this guy in action. But something does scare me about him..............
He played opposite Mario Williams. Who do you think is going to get most of the attention in blocking schemes? Mario. There is also a DT from NC State that is projected pretty high too. Late first, maybe 2nd (for the life of me, I can't remember his name though)

Anyway, do you see my concern here? If NC state has such great talent on the D line, wouldn't that free Lawson up to make more plays? Thereby increasing his stats? `1



Thoughts???????????????????????

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by kobe2jail

I know there is alot of Manny Lawson talk around here, and I'll be honest, I haven't watched an NC State game to see this guy in action. But something does scare me about him..............
He played opposite Mario Williams. Who do you think is going to get most of the attention in blocking schemes? Mario. There is also a DT from NC State that is projected pretty high too. Late first, maybe 2nd (for the life of me, I can't remember his name though)

Anyway, do you see my concern here? If NC state has such great talent on the D line, wouldn't that free Lawson up to make more plays? Thereby increasing his stats? `1



Thoughts???????????????????????

You could apply this to a lot of different things, however.

Carpenter played with Hawk and Schleigal (spelling is waaaaay wrong on that, I know).

Reggie Bush had one of the best OL's in front of him.

Young had plenty of talent around him.

I mean, look at the line we had for Emmitt during the early-mid 90's.

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FWIW

[CATCH17]

I've seen some bashing on him the past few days over here.


I never saw the guy play, but from what i've read some of the posters say he isn't as good as he's being made out to be.

I just don't see how you can be voted by your team as the defensive MVP over Williams, have good stats, great workout numbers, and still not be that highly thought of.

[DragonCowboy]

Maybe, but Carpenter is in the same position...

He has Hawk and Schlegel, who are both pretty good LBers\


edit// Vintage beat me to it. nice post man

[DBoys]

I am just not impressed with Lawson.

If we go OLB day one please let it be Carpenter

[ghst187]

we were saying the same things about Demarcus Ware last year....
1) he didn't play against top tier competition; Lawson did
2) no experience playing LB; Lawson not only has some LB experience but has shown good ability in coverage on at least one occasion
3) Suspicious because he wasnt considered a top pick until combine time; of course Lawson being selected MVP by his peers, on a defense with incredible talent...that says something
4) Picking a guy from a small school without eye-popping stats in the top 11. Lawson played at a big school, against great competition, put up very good stats, and the 18 pick is much different than 11.

If you watch even draft highlight clips of both Lawson and Ware you'll see similar things: ridiculous speed for size, running down ballcarriers from behind, ability to beat a blocker..or two, great size and agility, and the ability to get to the QB...QUICKLY. In fact, I'd say that based on just predraft clips, it'd be easier to get excited about Lawson than Ware and Ware was pretty good.

I'm not claiming to know what Ireland and BP are thinking or saying that we should definitely get Lawson but the above are the reasons I like him so much. Having two Ware-type players would be a bonus I think. The big bonus of running a 3-4 vice a 4-3 was the ability to disguise where the blitzer was coming from. Right now, teams know that Ware is rushing the QB everytime because we don't have anyone else capable of getting there except in the Nickel with Ellis on third down. With Lawson on the other side it gives us the option of sending either guy, dropping the other into coverage, and still know that the dude we send is going to get to the QB.
I think Carpenter would be a great pick also, I'm just more intrigued by Lawson's size, speed, agility, leaping, and freakish athletic ability.

[Vintage]

I think Carpenter is a better fit for us at SOLB than Lawson. I question if Lawson can play SOLB. We might have to move Ware to SOLB if we draft Lawson.

[TheSkaven]

I have never seen Lawson so I can't speak of his ability. But I do know that a few draft guides had him originally rated as a 3rd round pick. He's one of those guys who did real well at the combine and that moved him into the first round.

I don't think the Cowboys take him. My money is on Winston Justice.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by TheSkaven

I have never seen Lawson so I can't speak of his ability. But I do know that a few draft guides had him originally rated as a 3rd round pick. He's one of those guys who did real well at the combine and that moved him into the first round.

I don't think the Cowboys take him. My money is on Winston Justice.

Ware was graded as a second rounder too, until the combine/workouts.

[NeWmAnIsNeXt41]

Carpenter should be are a pick hes a better run stuffer and his combine workouts were jsut as impressive. He would be the perfect fit here.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by ghst187

I'm just more intrigued by Lawson's size, speed, agility, leaping, and freakish athletic ability.

Exactly. That kind of speed coming off the corner is unreal. He can easily add weight to his 6'5" frame also. I will take my chances with Lawson anyday. He and Ware would be great bookends for years to come.

[theogt]

Originally Posted by TheSkaven

I have never seen Lawson so I can't speak of his ability. But I do know that a few draft guides had him originally rated as a 3rd round pick. He's one of those guys who did real well at the combine and that moved him into the first round.

I don't think the Cowboys take him. My money is on Winston Justice.

You've also gotta remember that in most draft guides he's slated as a DE. He's undersized as a DE and should be rated lower at that position.

[CowboyWay]

Originally Posted by CATCH17

I just don't see how you can be voted by your team as the defensive MVP over Williams, have good stats, great workout numbers, and still not be that highly thought of.

I was unaware he was voted defensive team MVP. That counts alot in my book.

Oh and for the record, I posted this very same question in regards to carpenter because he played with Hawk and Shlegal (sp)

[ddh33]

His teammates giving his that kind of credit is big. But, I don't know if that means everything. A lot of guys who were good players at college and polular with teammates never amounted to much in the NFL.

Besides, it's possible that other players were sick of Mario getting all the credit, so they wanted to vote for someone else. The coaches might have always praised Mario, and there could have been a backlash there...Or, Manny Lawson might have just been that good in the eyes of his teammates.

Regardless, after watching a ton of tape, doing the leg work, and talking to Manny, I'm sure Dallas will have a very good read on him.

[ravidubey]

Originally Posted by Vintage

I think Carpenter is a better fit for us at SOLB than Lawson. I question if Lawson can play SOLB. We might have to move Ware to SOLB if we draft Lawson.

Lawson is significantly faster than Carpenter which means he can bring more power to the point of attack. The SOLB in a 3-4 has to cover, yes, but he also has to be a blitzer on any down, and Lawson certainly has the edge over Carpenter there.

The edge is the most vulnerable part of the field, and speed will always be a factor regardless if your ability to cover. Look what happened to the Cowboys' run defense once Singleton got hurt. The step down in makeup speed was big.