Kellyto83TD Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Damn good signing for that price. I still can't wait to see what our DC has planned for him. We have all seen good players really go off in the right system. Not saying that will happen, but this is a really solid LB and I don't think he has reached his peak yet.
Kelly the Dog Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Sounds like an extremely fair use of cash. We've frontloaded it, so if things don't work out as he gets older he won't be hard to jettison. If the Bills could make about three more deals like this (between SS, LB and WR) by draft day I'd be feeling pretty good. Yep, it maybe asking a lot but I would love to see a OG (Brandon Moore), a TE (Keller or Myers), a SS (maybe Pollard), a WR (Hayward-Bey or Gibson) and another LB (maybe Dansby). I personally like those particular players but what I'm really thinking is those level players, and we would be able to afford them all. It's actually what I am expecting, too. About 4-5 more 3-4m per year guys
BillsGuyInMalta Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 I think Brandon Moore was only playing under a 2-3 million a year contract last year. That would be totally acceptable to me as a stop-gap Guard.
TallskiWallski83 Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 (edited) For what its worth: Written in 2012: After having played outside in San Francisco’s 3-4, it was interesting watching Lawson adjust to playing in a four-man front. He surpassed almost all expectations and, if anything, looked more suited to the Bengals’ scheme. While Lawson may only be a two-down player (he graded negatively in coverage) he does have some versatility in that he can play with his hand on the ground if needed. He hasn’t quite had the success of Kamerion Wimbley in Oakland but he is a solid role player who should continue to improvement Written in 2013: The good: Lawson is a solid run defender who can play in the 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He is a sure tackler, missing just three all of last season. Lawson played in every game in his two seasons in Cincinnati, although there were some games in which he played less than half the snaps. The bad: There were expectations that Lawson would boost the pass rush, but he managed 3.5 sacks in his two years with the Bengals. He also looked rigid in pass coverage, which is why he only broke up one pass last season. The bottom line: The Bengals have enough cap room to upgrade from Lawson. He is only 28 and a former first-round pick, so he should catch on with another team. According to Pro Football Focus, out of 43 eligible linebackers, Lawson ranked 37th in total snaps (363). That averages out at just 23 snaps per game in a 16-game season. His -4.9 grade was also ranked 29th. Lawson simply isn’t a fit in Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme, and likely won’t be offered a contract to return to Cincinnati when free agency begins. Edited March 13, 2013 by TallskiWallski83
SRivRoc Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 I've seen manny Lawson as an underachiever his whole career, but I'm not mad at all by this pick up. Bottom line is we need linebackers. Mario will be one of the Lon's so look for bradham and Lawson to battle for the other outside LB position. Bradham could be pushed inside as well. Who knows? GO BILLS Super Bowl or Bust
Big Turk Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Here is PFF's profile on Lawson: Was ranked 29th overall 4-3 OLB with a grade of -4.5 overall. +1.4 pass rush grade, -4.6 coverage grade, -0.8 run stop grade. He was targeted 22 times in the passing game allowing 18 completions, or a 81.8% completion percentage against, for 180 yards(10 yards a catch). He allowed 130 of those yards after the catch(7.2 YAC/rec). Longest completion against was 21 yards, he allowed no touchdowns adn had no interceptions. His QB rating against was 100.8, which ranked him 24th among OLB's. However, this is not all bad, as the player we are replacing, Nick Barnett, allowed the worst QB rating against at 129.8, including an evern worse 86% catch rate and 4 TDs. Ironically the best coverage linebacker in regards to QB rating against in the NFL last year was our own Bryan Scott, allowing only a 59.4 QB rating against him, a 62.5% completion percentage(3rd best in the NFL). Even better, the Bills Nigel Bradham led the NF in completion percentage against in coverage at 58.3%. So we had the best and 3rd best LB's in the NFL last year in terms of allowing passes to be completed against them, but also had the worst LB in terms of QB rating against as well in Barnett... Lawson should fit well in this defense under Pettine I imagaine...he is 6'5" 240 lbs...that is one big MOFO coming at you with speed....
Dr. Trooth Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Average. Just a dude to plug ino a position of need. Hope he ain't getting much $$$
Kellyto83TD Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Ah I see the pessimists are at it again. Not the 'name' that they had in their heads or the talking morons at ESPN or NFLN have ranked high.
atlbillsfan1975 Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Average. Just a dude to plug ino a position of need. Hope he ain't getting much $$$ You really should read the entire thread.
MarkyMannn Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Here is PFF's profile on Lawson: He was targeted 22 times in the passing game allowing 18 completions, or a 81.8% completion percentage against, for 180 yards(10 yards a catch). He allowed 130 of those yards after the catch(7.2 YAC/rec). Longest completion against was 21 yards, he allowed no touchdowns adn had no interceptions. His QB rating against was 100.8, which ranked him 24th among OLB's. Put him on the same side as Aaron Williams and every QB will look like HOF material
jjmac Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 http://blogs.buffalo...ns-for-bradham/ A little tidbit about Bradham shifting from strongside to weakside with the Lawson addition. I've got high hopes for Bradham, love the kid's intensity and thought he put together a solid rookie year. Then what happens to Anderson?
simpleman Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Sounds like exactly what I was hoping for in FA. Solid, not splashy, reasonably priced. Does not mortgage our future a year or two down the road when we can seriously challenge as a real player in the NFL scene. Two or three more like this and I will be happier. That is the way to build a winning team.
NoSaint Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Put him on the same side as Aaron Williams and every QB will look like HOF material yes, with the 1 catch for 10 yards per game, im sure they will be sizing up the jackets based on them feasting on lawson.
bmur66 Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Bernard "The Patriot Killer" Pollard Brady Gronk Welker Ridley Love mentioning his name around these parts Had me looking for a like button
Dat Dude Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 I mentioned this in the other thread, but Lawson is a tremendous cover linebacker. Won't generate a lot of sacks but he blankets TEs and slot WRs.
DanInUticaTampa Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 (edited) Put him on the same side as Aaron Williams and every QB will look like HOF material I doubt aaron williams will be on the field much, if at all. and giving up one catch a game or maybe more won't be a big deal. The guy is a solid tackler and should go a long way to helping us stop the run. Plus, he probably doesn't get thrown to that much maybe because he covers people well. The most surprising part about those numbers is that QBs only threw in his direction 22 times? It must mean they are cautious throwing in his direction, thought I might be reading into the stats wrong. Other than that, I am hoping Pettine uses all these guys right. He really is the one who has the most cred at this point on our coaching staff. Edited March 13, 2013 by DanInUticaTampa
WhitewalkerInPhilly Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Yep, it maybe asking a lot but I would love to see a OG (Brandon Moore), a TE (Keller or Myers), a SS (maybe Pollard), a WR (Hayward-Bey or Gibson) and another LB (maybe Dansby). I personally like those particular players but what I'm really thinking is those level players, and we would be able to afford them all. It's actually what I am expecting, too. About 4-5 more 3-4m per year guys I think that there would be the best case scenario. Apart from Dansby, none of them are on the wrong side of 30 and all should come at the same general cost, and with enough cash to sign our new crop of rookies.
BillsVet Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 According to ESPN: To be honest, if Pettine wants him then I have no issues with the signing. I have at least some confidence that Pettine knows what he is doing. Yep. Scheme versatility is something good DC's are looking for. NE drafts for it, and so should Buffalo. Pettine is the first coordinator in years I've got some faith in.
eball Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 Having digested this for a little over an hour, the move leaves me feeling very satisfied. This is the sort of signing good organizations make -- which leads me to wonder how in the hell the Bills pulled it off.
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