Carl Lawson's resurgence an important piece of Cowboys' pass rush

[CCBoy]

FRISCO, Texas – Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa rightfully get a lot of attention and recognition for what they bring to the Cowboys pass rush. But don't forget about Carl Lawson, who is healthy and playing some of his best football yet.

"I think the last couple weeks, I'm starting to see me getting back to what my true form is," Lawson said. "And I honestly think there's a lot more that I can reach, so every day I'm just trying to strive to get to that place."

Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said on Monday that Lawson played his best game of the season in Dallas' 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, where he recorded his fifth sack of the season, tied for second on the team behind Parsons.

Lawson has always been a high-end player, but injuries have limited him from consistently playing at a high level. A five-star recruit and #1 ranked edge rusher in the class of 2013, Lawson went on to have a fantastic true freshman season at Auburn with 20 tackles and four sacks, before a torn ACL kept him out of the 2014 season and a hip injury limited his 2015 season. Finally, in 2016 he was a First Team All American with nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss before being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/carl-lawson-s-resurgence-an-important-piece-of-cowboys-pass-rush



This can now start measuring up a strong defensive front group.

 

[CCBoy]

"Explosive, fast, technical, and not really thinking, and just healthy, I think that's where I'm at my best," Lawson said. "There was a time right before I tore my Achilles where I was pretty damn near unstoppable, and I've just been working ever since to try to get back to that, it's been a tough road."

 

[CCBoy]

The 2024 season with the Cowboys was the first time that Lawson had ever spent time on a practice squad in his NFL career. It was an odd feeling considering how established he had made himself when healthy, but Lawson proved to himself that he wasn't a quitter during the process. "It's a very humbling but beautiful experience, because you get to sit there and just start from scratch again," Lawson said. "Very few people get that opportunity in the NFL, and I'm very thankful that I got that opportunity here."

 

[big dog cowboy]

Cowboys got him for 2024 cheap at $1,125,000 plus incentives. If they can keep him I'd be for it. One less hole to fill. All depends on $$$ as usual.

 

[John813]

Cowboys got him for 2024 cheap at $1,125,000 plus incentives. If they can keep him I'd be for it. One less hole to fill. All depends on $$$ as usual.

Lawson has been a good pass rushing depth DE.
Only slipped last year as he fell out of the Jets rotation.
Would like to keep him for sure.

 

[Risen Star]

Remember how reluctant they were to sign him? Finally brought him in for a workout with two other ends and ended up signing both those guys first before coming back weeks later for Lawson.

They didn't really want to do it so naturally it was a good move. He gives you everything Fowler gave you and more.

 

[CCBoy]

Osa Odighizuwa, DT

Osa Odighizuwa is having a career year in the final season of his rookie contract, adding to the list of star players the Cowboys will need to re-sign.

On Sunday, Odighizuwa recorded four total tackles, three solo tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and four quarterback hits.

He has been one of the league’s best interior pass rushers and has continually increased his value as the season has progressed.

Add him in with Lawson and Musa Smith, then keep Lawrence and sign me on to that projection,

Draft a top linebacker and hey, potent galore.

 

[Risen Star]

Osa's having a career year. 4 sacks. On one of the worst run defenses in football and he is one of the reasons for it.

This dude is playing out of his mind. He must be re-signed to a huge extension we can all regret a year later.

 

[CCBoy]

Osa's having a career year. 4 sacks. On one of the worst run defenses in football and he is one of the reasons for it.

This dude is playing out of his mind. He must be re-signed to a huge extension we can all regret a year later.

He has always been respected and the team reflects his continued participation.

Another biased analysis aimed at Dallas. I no longer am surprised...more than a cherry picked stat.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

He has always been respected and the team reflects his continued participation.

Another biased analysis aimed at Dallas. I no longer am surprised...more than a cherry picked stat.

I mean look who posted it….he is in this weird anti Osa stage of his life.

 

[Mr_437]

I would like to have Lawson in the rotation next season, especially when he seems to be getting back to form...looks like a cheap 1 yr deal candidate.

 

[CCBoy]

Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has shouldered the load for the interior of the defensive line, but that has not stopped him from putting up some impressive numbers. His 91.2 PFF grade against Carolina was his best performance of the season and the second-highest grade of his NFL career.

Odighizuwa is tied for fifth in the NFL with 22 QB hits ahead of guys like the 49ers’ Nick Bosa (20) and Cowboys teammate Micah Parsons (19). Even more impressive is that 522 of his 712 snaps have come lining up between the tackles, generating the type of inside pressure needed to disrupt offenses.

Landing Odighizuwa to a contract that averages $5-7 million per season would be a dream, but a strong finish to the season could push his value up to $11 million a season. In other words, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may need to use his full court press skills to retain such a valuable player.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/upcoming-cowboys-free-agents-that-deserve-a-slice-of-the-pie/

 

[NDGAEDE]

He's a good player. Hope we resign him.

 

[CCBoy]

Veteran DE Carl Lawson was a late signing by Dallas after they lost their top four defensive ends to injury, including Micah Parsons. Playing on a one-year, $1.1 million contract, his six sacks in a reserve role come close to the production of departed ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, who signed larger deals in Washington this offseason.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/upcoming-cowboys-free-agents-that-deserve-a-slice-of-the-pie/

 

[CCBoy]

Defensive lineman Chauncey Golston has gotten the versatility treatment in Dallas, becoming the player that bounces along the line to offset injuries. Former defensive lineman Jason Hatcher and Tyrone Crawford are similar players from the past that come to mind.

Before this season, Golston had more snaps in between the tackles than on the edge. This season, 562 of his 637 snaps have come outside. Before the team’s bye week, only once did he play more than 50 snaps in a game. After, his 49 snaps against the Panthers were the least amount he recorded.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/upcoming-cowboys-free-agents-that-deserve-a-slice-of-the-pie/

 

[gimmesix]

Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has shouldered the load for the interior of the defensive line, but that has not stopped him from putting up some impressive numbers. His 91.2 PFF grade against Carolina was his best performance of the season and the second-highest grade of his NFL career.

Odighizuwa is tied for fifth in the NFL with 22 QB hits ahead of guys like the 49ers’ Nick Bosa (20) and Cowboys teammate Micah Parsons (19). Even more impressive is that 522 of his 712 snaps have come lining up between the tackles, generating the type of inside pressure needed to disrupt offenses.

Landing Odighizuwa to a contract that averages $5-7 million per season would be a dream, but a strong finish to the season could push his value up to $11 million a season. In other words, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may need to use his full court press skills to retain such a valuable player.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/upcoming-cowboys-free-agents-that-deserve-a-slice-of-the-pie/

I still believe that most of Osa's pressure comes from teams having to deal with Parsons. Parsons is the disruptor and Odighizuwa benefits from that. That doesn't mean I think Osa is a bad player. I think he's very solid. I just want a true game-wrecker at DT, especially for what Odighizuwa will probably get paid this offseason. That kind of player would help us to get the most out of Parsons as teams would have to pick who to double and triple. I'd be looking to draft a first-round DT or at least second-round DT to replace Osa, or even to rotate with him and Mazi if we could re-sign Osa for cheap. Wouldn't mind Joseph being brought back, either, to rotate with Mazi (or us drafting another big for that role).

I'm definitely for bringing back Lawson for cheap. I think Lawrence will leave for greener pastures and we don't know if we can count on Sam Williams for much. Kneeland looks like he's going to be a solid contributor as a run end and I'd bring Golston back in a similar role if he's cheap enough, which I think he will be.

 

[CWR]

Osa's having a career year. 4 sacks. On one of the worst run defenses in football and he is one of the reasons for it.

This dude is playing out of his mind. He must be re-signed to a huge extension we can all regret a year later.

Yeah I like Osa, but signing him to a huge deal seems like a trap.

 

[Proof]

The 2024 season with the Cowboys was the first time that Lawson had ever spent time on a practice squad in his NFL career. It was an odd feeling considering how established he had made himself when healthy, but Lawson proved to himself that he wasn't a quitter during the process. "It's a very humbling but beautiful experience, because you get to sit there and just start from scratch again," Lawson said. "Very few people get that opportunity in the NFL, and I'm very thankful that I got that opportunity here."

pretty impressive attitude.

 

[blueblood70]

FRISCO, Texas – Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa rightfully get a lot of attention and recognition for what they bring to the Cowboys pass rush. But don't forget about Carl Lawson, who is healthy and playing some of his best football yet.

"I think the last couple weeks, I'm starting to see me getting back to what my true form is," Lawson said. "And I honestly think there's a lot more that I can reach, so every day I'm just trying to strive to get to that place."

Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said on Monday that Lawson played his best game of the season in Dallas' 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, where he recorded his fifth sack of the season, tied for second on the team behind Parsons.

Lawson has always been a high-end player, but injuries have limited him from consistently playing at a high level. A five-star recruit and #1 ranked edge rusher in the class of 2013, Lawson went on to have a fantastic true freshman season at Auburn with 20 tackles and four sacks, before a torn ACL kept him out of the 2014 season and a hip injury limited his 2015 season. Finally, in 2016 he was a First Team All American with nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss before being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/carl-lawson-s-resurgence-an-important-piece-of-cowboys-pass-rush



This can now start measuring up a strong defensive front group.

Yes he’s Fowler 2.0 kudos for the FO who said they did nothing in FA and brought in Kendricks who played well above expectation. And that goes for Lawson ,butler , and others who have helped.