05-09-2017, 12:23 PM
(05-09-2017, 02:24 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: Exactly, and we should keep him in a rotation to keep him fresh and to reduce the injury possibility.
I also don't like the possibility of him playing backer just because it's not who he is. If we played a 3-4, maybe put him at outside backer and let him rush the passer, but he wouldn't be doing it in a 4-3 besides for blitzing. Take a look at a guy like Geathers and see that taking him from what he did best in rushing the passer at end and putting him at backer limited his productivity.
If that arthritis comes with his hip injury, it wouldn't be good for him to be taking on blockers head-on at backer.
Leave Lawson at end and let him get after the passer.
I don't think Lawson will be used as a traditional, base 4-3 LB. I DO think that he will be used as astand up "Rush LB" in exotic packages to bring pressure and rush the passer.
Lawson has had success rushing from out on the edge standing up, or inside edge with his hand in the dirt. He can do either just fine. So when the Bengals say LB, I think that's just to keep him in a versatile group and allow him to use his athleticism to disguise certain things. No way Lawson becomes a traditional LB and gets time in that role over Burfict, Minter, Vigil, or Ray. He cannot cover and that is something the Bengals LBs have to do a lot of.
Lawson will be used differently than those guys I mentioned. So, don't envision a traditional LB role for him, IMO.
