(05-02-2017, 11:21 PM)PDub80 Wrote:
I don't think he's going to play the traditional linebacker role in the sense that Burfict, Vigil, Minter, and Rey will. I think he is going to be more of a rush end/LB in special packages and passing situations.

James Harrison is 2" shorter and about 15-20 lbs heavier and rushes the QB in a similar fashion. Peter Boulware was a linebacker/DE of similar size, as was Adalius Thomas. Although, Thomas was insanely fast. Both of the former Ravens players played LB/Rush DE/LB in 4-3 and 3-4 schemes with huge success. This just gives the Bengals options.

James Harrison's type of violent play style is exactly what I see when I watch Lawson. While I know the Bengals play a 4-3, they sometimes play with 5 linemen and 2 LBs quite a bit as well. There's plenty of opportunity for the "Law Dog", as I nicknamed him in another thread, to line up at OLB and then move up to the line of scrimmage and rush.

I see Lawson as more of that disrupting, rushing LB who can rush upright or with his hand in the dirt. He lined up both ways at Aurburn and did well. He's athletic enough to do so and this gives the Bengals a nasty option and a real different type of player to build certain packages around.

He is in no way big enough at 6-2 255-260 to play DE in a 4-3. His arms aren't quite long enough and his build looks to be different than a guy like Wallace Gilberry. They have the same size and weight, but Gilberry is built much differently and I think Lawson runs much better and is a better athlete.

They can always move him, too. We'll see!

(05-02-2017, 05:58 PM)AtomicBlaze Wrote: Anyone wonder if we can convert one of our run stuffing DT to an offensive lineman.  I always wondered why this isn't done more often DT seem to be better athletes.  It seems like there is a shortage of quality Offensive lineman and an abundance of DT these days in the NFL.

(05-03-2017, 10:28 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: This sums up my thoughts. We did have one tweener type LB on his way to success years ago named Pollack who unfortunately suffered a career ending injury. I love to hear guys like Lawson have a passion for the  game. It think passionate players make it, even when they are too small or too slow compared to others with work ethic and that last longer because it gets very hard, they won't quit.

(05-03-2017, 04:31 PM)PDub80 Wrote: I stumbled uppon video of Lawson practicing against O-Linemen where they go 1v1 and there is the dummy behind the lineman. One word: VIOLENT. Dude is violent with his hands and power. It's so different than what the Bengals players do. I wonder if the Bengals are coached this way? If so, that's a shame because the way Lawson attacks linemen - dude is a straight up savage.

Just enjoy the first 30 seconds or so of this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpPLgY350nI

(05-03-2017, 04:35 PM)Beaker Wrote: In that case, the Bengals will have him covering TEs on passing downs.

(05-03-2017, 04:31 PM)PDub80 Wrote: I stumbled uppon video of Lawson practicing against O-Linemen where they go 1v1 and there is the dummy behind the lineman. One word: VIOLENT. Dude is violent with his hands and power. It's so different than what the Bengals players do. I wonder if the Bengals are coached this way? If so, that's a shame because the way Lawson attacks linemen - dude is a straight up savage.

Just enjoy the first 30 seconds or so of this...

(05-02-2017, 05:09 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: The heck is a 260lb linebacker going to do in a 4-3 defense?

(05-02-2017, 08:30 AM)Takedown Wrote: So a position battle we should be paying attention to at training camp is Carl Lawson and Nick Vigil?

(05-04-2017, 08:59 AM)McC Wrote: Savage is exactly right.  He def. gets after QB's like they stole from him.  Not too shabby against the run too.  How did we get him where we did?

(05-04-2017, 12:54 PM)jowczarski Wrote: I wouldn't read too much into any of this to be honest. You're going to read/see guys all over the place. Wilson at safety, at nickel, outside. You're going to see Lawson at DE, at OLB. You might even see/read Wilson get a carry or two (a converted RB at Houston). Rookie camp and training camp are ways for the team to see what these guys can actually do. Up to now, it's all projection.

Lawson is the only one that might stick with the "LB" designation -- but he'll work at DE and at OLB to find a good spot for him.

(05-04-2017, 08:59 AM)McC Wrote: Savage is exactly right.  He def. gets after QB's like they stole from him.  Not too shabby against the run too.  How did we get him where we did?

(05-03-2017, 04:31 PM)PDub80 Wrote: I stumbled uppon video of Lawson practicing against O-Linemen where they go 1v1 and there is the dummy behind the lineman. One word: VIOLENT. Dude is violent with his hands and power. It's so different than what the Bengals players do. I wonder if the Bengals are coached this way? If so, that's a shame because the way Lawson attacks linemen - dude is a straight up savage.

Just enjoy the first 30 seconds or so of this...

(05-02-2017, 07:57 AM)yellowxdiscipline Wrote: Well I'm hoping you guys haven't fallen too much in love with Alex Erickson

(05-04-2017, 07:35 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: WTF? Why would you cut the guy that lead the NFL in Kick off return yardage and had the 2nd best return average? He finished middle of the pack on Punt Returns, but he did share some with Adam Jones.

They will keep 7 WR's this year. The cut will come from somewhere else.

(05-04-2017, 01:20 PM)PDub80 Wrote: I'm with you on all of this.

To me, this draft in particular says that the Bengals are shifting away from their previous methods and thought processes on what they want in or how they will use guys. A lot of these players are versatile and dynamic. Lawson in particular being able to rush down or standing.

I think in years past Lawson would perhaps have been made to fit one position and in one traditional role. I hope these types of players signify the Bengals expanding their minds and they move people around to put them in schemes/personnel packages that fit them best, rather than fitting the coaches traditional ideas. Maybe it's time the coaches change their spots (so to speak) to fit what guy's strengths are, rather than the spots of the player.

^ If that makes sense?

(05-04-2017, 01:37 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Anything is possible, but I'm not sure why people are so quick to think Erickson would be the first WR to go.

What makes Cody Core a lock? He's a lesser version of Malone that doesn't have Erickson's return skills. You also have to consider that maybe the Bengals don't want to use studs like Ross and Mixon as full time return guys. They should have very important roles in the offense. Plus Erickson led the conference in KR yards (averaging a stellar 27.9 yards/return) and flashed promise as a receiver late in the season.

I'm not saying Erickson is a lock, but I'd be willing to bet he makes it over Core. It's possible the roll with 7 like Hobspin said. We'll see.

(05-04-2017, 01:37 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Anything is possible, but I'm not sure why people are so quick to think Erickson would be the first WR to go.

What makes Cody Core a lock? He's a lesser version of Malone that doesn't have Erickson's return skills. You also have to consider that maybe the Bengals don't want to use studs like Ross and Mixon as full time return guys. They should have very important roles in the offense. Plus Erickson led the conference in KR yards (averaging a stellar 27.9 yards/return) and flashed promise as a receiver late in the season.

I'm not saying Erickson is a lock, but I'd be willing to bet he makes it over Core. It's possible the roll with 7 like Hobspin said. We'll see.

(05-04-2017, 07:39 PM)PDub80 Wrote: They cut Quan Cosby, who led the entire NFL in punt return yardage as a rookie in 2009, setting, I think a Bengals team record that year? And Marvin LOVED that guy.