The return of DeMarcus Lawrence

DFWJC

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Like everyone else, I'm just hoping we get good returns on Lawrence this year.

It may turn out great, but I was definitely in the camp that was not overly thrilled about giving up both our 2nd and 3rd rounders for him.
Hoping for the best!
 
gimmesix

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Idgit said:
I liked both players at the time, and I think we essentially 'hit' on them with the draft selection part of the equation. Both have been slowed by injuries, though. Especially Lawrence.

Crawford does generate a lot of pressure, still, even if the sacks don't follow. And he deserves more credit than he gets for staying in the lineup and playing through both injury and pain.

Both guys have under-delivered, though. Especially Lawrence who also has the suspension on his record. With the nature of his injuries, I'd be reluctant to give him a long-term deal, but he's a good enough player that he's going to get one somewhere.

More than anything, both of these guys have ended up being 'contributors' instead of 'difference makers.' I think we let Lawrence walk (or sign him to an extension after we let him test FA first) and try to renegotiate Crawford's deal down after next season. It's a shame for both guys, because we had the right idea for both of them. It just didn't work out big in the club's favor.
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A second contract would take a huge year from him. I look at it kind of like with Claiborne. Last year, he played at a pretty high level, but it wasn't high enough for us to make a decent offer to retain him because of his previous history with the team.

Lawrence was injured for over half of his rookie season, switched to left end and played great for at least half a season in 2015 and was suspended/injured for most of last year. A half-season to full season of quality play out of three isn't going to open the wallet. Even DeMarco Murray's great year in 2014 couldn't get Dallas to ignore his injury history and lock him up. Lawrence would have to play like one of the best DEs in the league to get a long-term deal here.
 
Idgit

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gimmesix said:
A second contract would take a huge year from him. I look at it kind of like with Claiborne. Last year, he played at a pretty high level, but it wasn't high enough for us to make a decent offer to retain him because of his previous history with the team.

Lawrence was injured for over half of his rookie season, switched to left end and played great for at least half a season in 2015 and was suspended/injured for most of last year. A half-season to full season of quality play out of three isn't going to open the wallet. Even DeMarco Murray's great year in 2014 couldn't get Dallas to ignore his injury history and lock him up. Lawrence would have to play like one of the best DEs in the league to get a long-term deal here.
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Even if he does, he's still got the history of back injuries you have to worry about.

But I agree with you. I think they like him, but the injuries have held him back. They'd be open to a long-term extension, but it'd have to be pretty team friendly. Or he'd have to really turn in a quality season to give them a better appetite for the risk his extension would represent.
 
gimmesix

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Idgit said:
Even if he does, he's still got the history of back injuries you have to worry about.

But I agree with you. I think they like him, but the injuries have held him back. They'd be open to a long-term extension, but it'd have to be pretty team friendly. Or he'd have to really turn in a quality season to give them a better appetite for the risk his extension would represent.
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Yes, I think to dispel concerns, he'd have to not even have a hangnail this season.
 
RJ_MacReady

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Being that it's his contract year, he'll finally put full effort into it, get 7-8 sacks, get a T.Crawford deal and then return to being a JAG. I can't wait.
 
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darthseinfeld

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superonyx said:
The only production I have seen out of Demarcus Lawrence was when Greg Hardy was getting all the attention on the other side.
Other than that he has been just another guy unfortunately.

Hopefully he can stop being a guy who seems like it doesn't matter when he is in the game.
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He had alot alot of success in the wide gaps on the strong side. If Taco is our RDE, he will likely play alot in the 7 gap like Hardy and let Lawrence get wide in the 8 and 9 gaps.

Taco wont get the attention Hardy gets, but it could still put Lawrence in a postion to have some success
 
gmoney112

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Idgit said:
I liked both players at the time, and I think we essentially 'hit' on them with the draft selection part of the equation. Both have been slowed by injuries, though. Especially Lawrence.

Crawford does generate a lot of pressure, still, even if the sacks don't follow. And he deserves more credit than he gets for staying in the lineup and playing through both injury and pain.

Both guys have under-delivered, though. Especially Lawrence who also has the suspension on his record. With the nature of his injuries, I'd be reluctant to give him a long-term deal, but he's a good enough player that he's going to get one somewhere.

More than anything, both of these guys have ended up being 'contributors' instead of 'difference makers.' I think we let Lawrence walk (or sign him to an extension after we let him test FA first) and try to renegotiate Crawford's deal down after next season. It's a shame for both guys, because we had the right idea for both of them. It just didn't work out big in the club's favor.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping Demarcus stays healthy and delivers a 'pretty good' year. We might be able to sign him to a 1-year reasonable contract and milk whatever production he provides until the ride rises with our other young players.
 
Idgit

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gmoney112 said:
I'm hoping Demarcus stays healthy and delivers a 'pretty good' year. We might be able to sign him to a 1-year reasonable contract and milk whatever production he provides until the ride rises with our other young players.
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Tough, though, with any decent DL coming off that rookie contract. Most of those guys get some interest from somebody, and we seem to be pretty rigid these days in terms of what we're willing to pay people.

My hope is that Tapper goes off and makes it a moot point.
 
Risen Star

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I remember Lawrence looking legit for a year but I can't say I ever recall Tyrone Crawford looking anything more than just a guy.
 
kiheikiwi

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The fact that Lawrence is coming off his second back surgery in consecutive seasons - and not participating in OTA's yet, tells me he will be managed to start the year. Was never a fan of the resources used to draft him, but I think letting him settle back into a rotation on the strong side will work best for him. Will have to see how the Irving suspension plays out, but those two guys should man the LDE rotation.
Crawford, again coming off surgery on his shoulder - again. I have always looked at him as a rotation piece, nothing more, nothing less. The contract he was given was the FO fault, you cant blame the guy for taking it !
Ive said in multiple threads, just let him play 3-tech behind Collins. No more "position Flex" bull**** ! Get his body right and just be a piece of the puzzle. We have depth, maybe no war daddies to speak of, but I think we will have a fairly good rotation all across the front seven this year.
I will hold judgment on who if anyone gets another contract come the end of the season, but I would love for their play this year to make it a tough call for the FO to decide on come next offseason.
 
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