Disappointment of Demarcus Lawrence

[Sonicxtacy02]

It wasn't the same defense. They changed from a cover-2 to a cover-1/cover-3. They also stopped playing Lawrence on the weak side completely. Complain all you want about his play, but at least get the facts right. The defense wasn't remotely the same in 19 as it was in 17.

This teams secondary has been primarily a single-high safety for at least the last 5 years. It's precisely why they haven't coveted a top notch safety. Guys like Barry Church and JJ Wilcox were starting safeties, and they were box safeties with guys like Health and B. Jones in single high. And the coverage alignment has nothing to do with what the front 4 is doing at the line. The coverage schemes you reference are relative to the back 7 only. You don't rush the passer or play a run gap any differently because you're in a cover 1/2/3/4 alignment in the backfield.

 

[texbumthelife]

This teams secondary has been primarily a single-high safety for at least the last 5 years. It's precisely why they haven't coveted a top notch safety. Guys like Barry Church and JJ Wilcox were starting safeties, and they were box safeties with guys like Health and B. Jones in single high. And the coverage alignment has nothing to do with what the front 4 is doing at the line. The coverage schemes you reference are relative to the back 7 only. You don't rush the passer or play a run gap any differently because you're in a cover 1/2/3/4 alignment in the backfield.

The Cowboys began running single high as their base once Richards got to Dallas. Marinelli always preferred two up top. You're right, the line play usually isn't directly effected by the alignment or scheme of the defensive backfield, but the point was the scheme had changed. Someone said nothing had changed since Marinelli had gotten to Dallas, that's the only point I was arguing with that particular statement.

 

[Flamma]

I have a question. The two really big contracts, Tank and Zeke. What do you think the Cowboys record is in 2019 without them?

 

[LocimusPrime]

Of course I'm not saying he's not a good player. He's good not great. He got very full of himself. He's the guy who gave us this Hot Boyz nonsense.

Lawrence, like too many others on this team, needs a wake up call from a real Head Coach.

You’re spot on brother. That’s 100% how I feel

 

[LocimusPrime]

I have a question. The two really big contracts, Tank and Zeke. What do you think the Cowboys record is in 2019 without them?

Clear eye view got a big one too

 

[LocimusPrime]

You don’t pay Tony Tolbert or Anthony Spencer that kind of money. The highest paid DEs and edge rushers are sack monsters.

5 sacks pshhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Doomsday101]

I have a question. The two really big contracts, Tank and Zeke. What do you think the Cowboys record is in 2019 without them?

I think Zeke under performed but still finished 4th overall in rushing with 1,357 and 420 receiving 12 TD. I hope to see a good off season for him and in camp ready to go.
Lawrence he did not perform any where close to the level that should have been expected. I hope he gets things turned around. I'm not here to hate on Lawrence but I do have high expectation of him and what I saw this past season was no where close to what he has shown he is capable of

 

[charron]

I hear what you are saying but they haven’t been able to do that the last three years when he was contending for sack leader. And that was without real help on the other side, so with Quinn here this year there was no excuse for his lack luster performance. This is the typical “I got paid” attitude....IMHO!

He is never in contention to lead the league in sacks. Ok for a few weeks yea but that goes away quickly as others outpace him. Look they made a mistake paying a guy that much who is always injured to a degree that down the stretch it affects his performance. By the time playoffs roll around we always hear his shoulders are bad. He's a really good DE making elite money. That's part of our problem here.

 

[Shane612]

He's slightly better than Shante Carver.
lol

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That's right but Lawrence is the leader.

Never correct me in front of the guys again.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

You don’t pay Tony Tolbert or Anthony Spencer that kind of money. The highest paid DEs and edge rushers are sack monsters.

5 sacks pshhhhhhhhhhh

They paid him on past performance, like every other top tier player gets paid. The hope is they get better...he didn't but he was coming off surgery, and be honest. Lawrence is the only DL on Dallas that gets double teamed. When was very good but he was beating one on one coverage.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Okay, Mugsy.

This reminds me of the "Shut Up Shuttin Up" cartoon.

https://i.*******/hvs4w78nxf731.png

 

[LocimusPrime]

They paid him on past performance, like every other top tier player gets paid. The hope is they get better...he didn't but he was coming off surgery, and be honest. Lawrence is the only DL on Dallas that gets double teamed. When was very good but he was beating one on one coverage.

Let’s hope he returns to form

 

[USArmyVet]

Demarcus Lawrence, like many NFL players, played for a new contract and once he got it he showed himself to be the player who sucked his first 3 seasons:

2014-2016 32 games 75 tackles 9 sacks


Playing for a new contract:

2017-2018 32 games 122 tackles 24.5 sacks 2 PDef's 1 INT


After getting his new contract:

2019 16 games 45 tackles 5 sacks 2 PDef's


Furthermore, when you look at Lawrence's career sacks stats, the interesting thing is what he does the first 8 games versus the last 8 games:



1st 8 games career sacks stats

2014-2019 20 games 21.5 sacks Average of 1.075 sacks/game


Last 8 games career sack stats

2014-2019 36 games 16.5 sacks Average of .458 sacks/game



Lawrence has accumulated his sacks more often than not in the first half of a season and completely disappeared in the second half. He has had injury and suspension issues and now that he got his big contract he is just an ineffective player.

Sadly Dallas can't reasonably look to get rid of him as his contract remaining is as follows:


2020 Cap Hit $21.9 M Dead Money $36.9 M

2021 Cap Hit $22 M Dead Money $15 M

2022 Cap Hit $24 M Dead Money $10 M

2023 Cap Hit $26 M Dead Money $5 M

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I honestly do not understand this sentiment at all. The dude had 1300 yards and had 13 overall touchdowns and was in the top 4 in the league this year in rushing. Meanwhile Pollard, who i like, is just good and turned over the ball on the most costly game of the year.

But why was Pollard in to begin with?

 

[Kingofholland]

I've said this before, but when Ware got paid you knew you were signing an elite pass rusher, that could roll out of bed and get 10+ sacks. Didn't feel Lawrence had proven that yet, though it was clear he was a very good player. Maybe an elite run defender, and good pass rusher?

5 sacks certainly doesn't tell the whole story of his play, but also isn't good enough to justify his contract. We'll see how he does under the new coaching staff, otherwise he'll be an over paid very good player for the next 3 years.for us.

 

[visionary]

Lawrence and Jaylon are 2 of the biggest talkers on this team

 

[CWR]

My issue with Lawrence is all the Hotboyz stupidity. Where does that group get off promoting themselves as a modern Doomsday D? It is beyond ridiculous. They should all just shut up and play. Earn a nickname.

We had a whole lot of self anointed all pros on this team last year. I suppose that's what happens when your coaches are always reinforcing how great you are. While in the midst of a three game losing streak we watched old highlights. Hell maybe it helped us beat LA, but its not a sound philosophy at all. It felt like many on the team thought they could turn it on and off at will. Cant wait for players to stop feeling so secure and go back to competing.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

One of the most unlikable players on the team. I don't know how anyone can like this guy after the stunt he pulled to get his contract.

He did what owners do to players. Played chess not checkers. Glad he did it otherwise he’d be like Dak and Amari right now.

 

[Hennessy_King]

The big disappointment whether it was on him or Bumanelli. Was his lack of snaps. Countless times he was on the sidelines for a crucial 3rd down etc. I mean hes gettin $100 million and he played 60% of the snaps. Just for reference JJ Watt coming off a torn pectoral played 61% of the snaps in the game last week.