Lawrence 2018

[Denim Chicken]

When he went to 1tech DLaw sacks decreased.

I'm sure Stephen Paea was the reason for DL's success, SMH.

 

[DiResta]

hes become one of the legit team leaders
go to http://www.dallascowboys.com/ they are using him as backdrop for the face of the team taking Wittens place
its telling they expect him to be Jerrys Wardaddy
but seriously they took Zeke down after his suspension
Dak - Zeke
Dak - Dez
Dak - Witten
now Dak - Tank

its a barometer of player standings
or something

 

[Stash]

Unless he and his agent are totally unreasonable, I fully expect him to be resigned before or during the 2018 season. I don't think the Cowboys really want to wait to negotiate with him coming off the Franchise tag next summer.

For whatever it's worth, I recall Broaddus mentioning that he had heard that a long term deal might get worked out some time in July before the deadline.

 

[gimmesix]

Lawrence is playing under his franchise tag for this year (at least that is what it looks like right now). The Cowboys seem to be concerned that 2017 may be the exception rather than the rule. If you look at past history they may be right.

Up until last year Lawrence was a good but not great player. In 2017he looked unstoppable at times. But which one is the real Lawrence?

I would not be surprised if Lawrence regresses back to his pre 2017 form. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Lawrence pick up where he left off last year.

The important part is this: If the Cowboys were to sign Lawrence now they have to pay him as if the 2017 Lawrence is the real Lawrence. All the risk is on the Cowboys.

If they wait, if Lawrence regresses they have saved themselves a TON of money. If Lawrence does it again the Cowboys can either give him a long term contract or trade him as a proven, established pass rusher.

I won't be shocked either way. The Cowboys have continued to add DEs to the roster for a reason.

When we moved Lawrence to left end in 2015, he had seven sacks in the last eight games (eight total) after he adjusted to moving from the right side. So his pre-2017 form was good when he was healthy or not suspended.

The main question to me in paying him long-term is his health, especially considering the back injuries. He was set back his rookie season, ultimately playing in just seven games before showing what he could be in the playoffs. Then the suspension in 2016 followed by his back injury led to him starting just three games that year.

If he stays healthy, I would expect a repeat of last year because of his combination of power, quickness, bend and technique. DEs who explode onto the scene because they excel in one area can be adjusted to by using their weakness against them. Lawrence's weakness coming into the league was size/strength, but he rebuilt his body to eliminate that weakness.

 

[ItzKelz]

I'm sure Stephen Paea was the reason for DL's success, SMH.

Paea meant Collins played his natural position 3tech. Which meant he could create more sack opportunities for DLaw. Which is why DLaw made it a point to give Malik credit for a few of his sacks the first half of the seasons. Stunts being ran correctly in Rods scheme keeps you from having to blitz. DLaw and Malik had great chemistry on those stunts.

 

[DHCBF66]

Lawrence is playing under his franchise tag for this year (at least that is what it looks like right now). The Cowboys seem to be concerned that 2017 may be the exception rather than the rule. If you look at past history they may be right.

Up until last year Lawrence was a good but not great player. In 2017he looked unstoppable at times. But which one is the real Lawrence?

I would not be surprised if Lawrence regresses back to his pre 2017 form. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Lawrence pick up where he left off last year.

The important part is this: If the Cowboys were to sign Lawrence now they have to pay him as if the 2017 Lawrence is the real Lawrence. All the risk is on the Cowboys.

If they wait, if Lawrence regresses they have saved themselves a TON of money. If Lawrence does it again the Cowboys can either give him a long term contract or trade him as a proven, established pass rusher.

I won't be shocked either way. The Cowboys have continued to add DEs to the roster for a reason.

I think this will be D_Laws last year. Gregory still has 2 years left on his contract once he is reinstated. Thinking like the FO, Taco going into his 2nd season and Gregory getting a year under his belt no need to pay D_Law. I am not against signing D_Law long term if he has another good season but I can see the FO thinking that Gregory will give them a deal for standing by him if he lives up to his potential and Taco will have 2 years left on his contract with the 5th year option. I can see D_Law traded after the season.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Paea meant Collins played his natural position 3tech. Which meant he could create more sack opportunities for DLaw. Which is why DLaw made it a point to give Malik credit for a few of his sacks the first half of the seasons. Stunts being ran correctly in Rods scheme keeps you from having to blitz. DLaw and Malik had great chemistry on those stunts.

Collins was replaced by Irving at 3 once he returned from suspension. Irving > Collins, so I still don't buy this.

 

[Stash]

I think this will be D_Laws last year. Gregory still has 2 years left on his contract once he is reinstated. Thinking like the FO, Taco going into his 2nd season and Gregory getting a year under his belt no need to pay D_Law. I am not against signing D_Law long term if he has another good season but I can see the FO thinking that Gregory will give them a deal for standing by him if he lives up to his potential and Taco will have 2 years left on his contract with the 5th year option. I can see D_Law traded after the season.

And you think that Randy Gregory should allow you to move on from Demarcus Lawrence?

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

The idea that Lawrence wasn't good until 2017 isn't true IMO.

2014 - Rookie and injured foot.
2015 - Basically his rookie year, 8 sacks. Solid season.
2016 - Suspended, then played through injury and had a bad season. If the guy didn't care about trying to help the team, he wouldn't have played through pain.
2017 - Fully healthy, 14.5 sacks.

Watching him last year you could tell the sacks were not flukey. He has progressed his technique and was a dominant rusher.

I want to see him go double digit sacks again this year before giving him the bank, but I think as long as he doesn't get hurt he's going to do it.

 

[DHCBF66]

And you think that Randy Gregory should allow you to move on from Demarcus Lawrence?

I never said that, I said it could be what the FO is thinking. I said I would have no problem keeping D_Law if he produces again!

 

[Stash]

I never said that, I said it could be what the FO is thinking. I said I would have no problem keeping D_Law if he produces again!

Ok, because I think it's way off base to think that anyone would factor Gregory into any decisions about Lawrence. You or the front office.

 

[waldoputty]

Lawrence is playing under his franchise tag for this year (at least that is what it looks like right now). The Cowboys seem to be concerned that 2017 may be the exception rather than the rule. If you look at past history they may be right.

Up until last year Lawrence was a good but not great player. In 2017he looked unstoppable at times. But which one is the real Lawrence?

I would not be surprised if Lawrence regresses back to his pre 2017 form. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Lawrence pick up where he left off last year.

The important part is this: If the Cowboys were to sign Lawrence now they have to pay him as if the 2017 Lawrence is the real Lawrence. All the risk is on the Cowboys.

If they wait, if Lawrence regresses they have saved themselves a TON of money. If Lawrence does it again the Cowboys can either give him a long term contract or trade him as a proven, established pass rusher.

I won't be shocked either way. The Cowboys have continued to add DEs to the roster for a reason.

yes, and it will mostly depend on if his back will hold up

 

[CPanther95]

Franchise tag means he's still in a contract year. I wouldn't expect a regression until he signs his long term deal with some team.

 

[KDM256]

Not sold on Lawrence's production to warrant him a big contract offer. 14.5 sacks is pretty damn good but can DLaw duplicate those numbers in 2018 as well. Most times than not, these guys get big $ contracts and the production doesn't match the dollar.

Not saying this is the case with DLaw but if I am in the front office, I'm not rushing to get this contract finished until I see stats and still, can't break the bank where if this situation doesn't pan out, it doesn't cripple this franchise either.

 

[SportsGuru80]

Tank Lawrence is definitely talented it's been an issue of injury/suspension with him. I believe he's a War Daddy and you need couple of them on the d-line if you want to be a dominant defense.

 

[charron]

His skill has shown up for several years but he battled health issues that has kept him back. when he started cooling down last year i think it was partilly due to lingering health issues. He was asking for 17mil a year so there was 0 need for a longterm contract. I dont see him healthy in 3-4 years. Hope he can prove otherwise in 2018.

 

[Verdict]

Sorry, but that sounds rather lazy to me. Trying to create a grey area to hide in rather than dealing with facts and statistics.

And if we're talking about "luck", how about the facts and very real "bad luck" of 2017 where Lawrence and other Cowboys defensive linemen were repeatedly held with no calls? Remember that? I do. It got to the point that people were writing stories about it. And then, inexplicably, the team started to actually get some calls. Once the light was turned on it. I remember that.



Or again, maybe if he's not held again and again and again with no call? That would help too.

And if he duplicates or betters his 2017 season, his asking price goes from high to ridiculous.

And if you then let him go, who does this team have in the pipeline to possibly replace that production? I can't see anybody.

Luck plays a part both ways. I never indicated it didn't. Im just talking about real life. I'm not sure how real life is being "lazy". Luck plays a part in all statistics. Talent is also a factor.

You choose to ignore the prior years in Lawrence's career. I choose not to. What I think you fail to realize is that "luck" (injuries) may have had a significant impact on Lawrence's stats in prior years. So it cuts both ways.

I prefer that Lawrence set the world on fire and us keep him but in a salary cap world there are trade offs. It is best for Lawrence if he sets the world on fire and becomes the highest paid DE in football. It is best for the team i Lawrence plays good, doesn't get a ton of sacks, takes a lesser contract and then sets the world on fire and gets 25 sacks per year at the lower rate.

Reality is that at SOME point, the cap percentage gets to be so high that he can't be good enough to justify his cap hit. I believe the team is hedging its bets with so many DEs on the roster. They probably prefer to keep Tank. But they are probably not going to be held hostage.

 

[Verdict]

DL's technical skills, especially handwork, were impeccable. His plays against the run and edge setting were underrated.

I tend to agree with that statement. I'm not saying he isn't a very good player.

 

[Verdict]

Unless he and his agent are totally unreasonable, I fully expect him to be resigned before or during the 2018 season. I don't think the Cowboys really want to wait to negotiate with him coming off the Franchise tag next summer.

I think there is at least a 30 percent chance that tank is not signed long term by the Cowboys. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but that's my current belief.

 

[Verdict]

I think this will be D_Laws last year. Gregory still has 2 years left on his contract once he is reinstated. Thinking like the FO, Taco going into his 2nd season and Gregory getting a year under his belt no need to pay D_Law. I am not against signing D_Law long term if he has another good season but I can see the FO thinking that Gregory will give them a deal for standing by him if he lives up to his potential and Taco will have 2 years left on his contract with the 5th year option. I can see D_Law traded after the season.

It's possible. No one wants to consider it may happen, but it's not set in stone. Obviously how the other DEs perform are a significant factor in that analysis.