Manny Lawson???

[pbmax]

Weak/Right OLB

Has he played extensively/exclusively on the Right? Because run stuffing, TE covering OLB would scream Left side to me.

Having a Wayne Simmons flashback now. Gonna need a moment to compose myself ....

[woodbuck27]

Except that Jones is merely average at things he does best--which might be better than the other two guys we have but that's not saying much. I don't think Jones is good at anything--just better in some things than others. He hasn't been real durable either. Lawson has been the starter for 16 games with two different teams and two different schemes, right? (Didn't Cincinnati play a 4-3 last year?) We saw enough of Walden to know that if Jones was good at anything, he would have been on the field more. Lawson's pass rush may be suspect, but it sounds like he is actually good against the run and in coverage.

We probably won't get him, but if we do, I trust Thompson will get him at a bargain rate.

As you pointed out previously Harvey. Manny Lawson will be an upgrade and based on his last contract (not that that might play a huge part in negotiating with him) Manny Lawson may come to us if Ted Thompson covets him?

Ted Thompson may sign Manny Lawson for something in the order of $1.5 to 3 Million$ per season. Ted Thompson is limited at present in terms of CAP space and his other needs for that CAP money.

That fact must be considered in terms of any acquisitions to upgrade the team. That fact may be the overriding factor. The one that ties Ted Thompsons hands.

GO PACKERS !

GO Ted Thompson.

[KYPack]

I tend to think that much of this is moot bc we won't be able to afford Lawson. He should get a 2-3 yr deal for 8-12 million from somebody. That is probably too rich for our budget.

He has played both sides in his career, BTW.

He is a step up from what we have, but his downside can be significant.

We do have some resources that could improve big Manny.

Wood is a DC on the field. He could help Lawson avoid giving up the big play on a bad read. Trgo seems to be a decent line coach, maybe he can conjure a pass rush out of Lawson. Kevin Green's vast knowlege hasn't helped out present 3 stooge group at ROLB, but Manny may be more receptive.

I'd say we've got a 5 - 10% chance of landing this talented, but flawed guy.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Kevin Green's vast knowlege hasn't helped out present 3 stooge group at ROLB, but Manny may be more receptive.

Your points are valid, but I might disagree with this. Their is a talent ceiling with the three guys we have. Greene has actually gotten a lot of these marginal talents. Jones was a late round pick who has looked surprisingly average at time. I just don't know that there is any upside. Zombo was an undrafted rookie free agent who has looked surprisingly average at times. There is a talent ceiling there also, and injuries have set him back. Walden has played much better than you'd expect from someone with his pedigree. One thing is for certain, Lawson doesn't have an athletic ceiling. It would be interesting to see Greene get his hands on this guy.

[ND72]

Your points are valid, but I might disagree with this. Their is a talent ceiling with the three guys we have. Greene has actually gotten a lot of these marginal talents. Jones was a late round pick who has looked surprisingly average at time. I just don't know that there is any upside. Zombo was an undrafted rookie free agent who has looked surprisingly average at times. There is a talent ceiling there also, and injuries have set him back. Walden has played much better than you'd expect from someone with his pedigree. One thing is for certain, Lawson doesn't have an athletic ceiling. It would be interesting to see Greene get his hands on this guy.

Totally agree. We likely got the top end out of those guys. I really like the idea of Lawson. It would also put us in better position in the draft to truly take the best player there instead of seeing gaps all over the place. We could take a Center, or DE or DB or still a LB at that spot round 1. But also gives us that chance to take a guy like an Irving from West Virginia in round 3, kind of a raw guy, let him learn and develop.

Had this conversation with a buddy of mine last night, I'm all for the draft and develop philosophy, but these guys still need to develop. if they don't, you can still use free agency as a tool, and Lawson could be such a guy to use...I almost said "tool" and it felt wrong to call him a tool. Pat Lee is a good for instance...guy is kind of raw, but has some talent, but he didn't develop.

[KYPack]

Your points are valid, but I might disagree with this. Their is a talent ceiling with the three guys we have. Greene has actually gotten a lot of these marginal talents. Jones was a late round pick who has looked surprisingly average at time. I just don't know that there is any upside. Zombo was an undrafted rookie free agent who has looked surprisingly average at times. There is a talent ceiling there also, and injuries have set him back. Walden has played much better than you'd expect from someone with his pedigree. One thing is for certain, Lawson doesn't have an athletic ceiling. It would be interesting to see Greene get his hands on this guy.

The upside with Lawson is the run play. This guy is deadly at holding the point and keeping contain. If he was on our roster last season there is NO way you would see a debacle like the KC game where the whole ROLB committee blew contain on 4-5 plays.

Maybe Kevin Green can work some magic with the big guy if we get him.

I haven't given up on Zombo or Jones. Walden, I think he's half nuts.

[woodbuck27]

Your points are valid, but I might disagree with this. Their is a talent ceiling with the three guys we have. Greene has actually gotten a lot of these marginal talents. Jones was a late round pick who has looked surprisingly average at time. I just don't know that there is any upside. Zombo was an undrafted rookie free agent who has looked surprisingly average at times. There is a talent ceiling there also, and injuries have set him back. Walden has played much better than you'd expect from someone with his pedigree. One thing is for certain, Lawson doesn't have an athletic ceiling. It would be interesting to see Greene get his hands on this guy.

http://nflnr.com/2012/03/colts-interested-signing-lawson/

6 Hours ago....

Colts interested in signing Lawson?

Written by Chris Kolb ..... Thursday 22 March 2012

[woodbuck27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1113548-packers-under-the-radar-signing-of-manny-lawson-could-be-a-significant-upgrade

Packers: Under-the-Radar Signing of Manny Lawson Could Be a Significant Upgrade


By

Marques Eversoll

(Contributor) on March 21, 2012

[Deputy Nutz]

The Packers have no viable options opposite Clay Mathews, that was on the roster in 2011. Lawson is an upgrade, simple as that. He is physically gifted, can hold the point, and when in coverage does a decent job. Three things that I can't say about Walden, or Zombo, or Jones.

I wouldn't be willing to pay Lawson a whole heck of a lot, but if he you are looking for a solution to the problem, he is one solution.

I agree with Ky, and Harvey, Lawson isn't a pro bowl caliber player, heck he might not even be an average starter, but that beats the shit out of what the Packers currently have as options.

[Lurker64]

I definitely would endorse bringing in Lawson if the price is right. Even if he's not "the answer" at OLB opposite Clay, he definitely does buy time for somebody else to develop/emerge as "the answer". Even if we do draft a conversion project at OLB at #28, there's no guarantee he'll be able to play right away outside of special packages.

[red]

this NC state tea, was stacked his last year, and there was a lot of talk about mario being drafted by us, so i watched as much of this team as i could.

the guy that stood out head and shoulders above everyone else on that team was lawson.

he started out in college playing OLB then moved to right DE. there is a ton of raw talent there that i don't think the 49ers or the bengals managed to tap. green might just be able to get through to the guy

i want this signing to happen. i get more excited the more i think about it

[George Cumby]

this NC state tea, was stacked his last year, and there was a lot of talk about mario being drafted by us, so i watched as much of this team as i could.

the guy that stood out head and shoulders above everyone else on that team was lawson.

he started out in college playing OLB then moved to right DE. there is a ton of raw talent there that i don't think the 49ers or the bengals managed to tap. green might just be able to get through to the guy

i want this signing to happen. i get more excited the more i think about it

+1

[mission]

+7

[Bretsky]

this NC state tea, was stacked his last year, and there was a lot of talk about mario being drafted by us, so i watched as much of this team as i could.

the guy that stood out head and shoulders above everyone else on that team was lawson.

he started out in college playing OLB then moved to right DE. there is a ton of raw talent there that i don't think the 49ers or the bengals managed to tap. green might just be able to get through to the guy

i want this signing to happen. i get more excited the more i think about it

Well we're screwed.....you and TT rarely see eye to yet



DEAR RED,

I needed all the money to sign Lawson but we're a little strapped because I chose to resign J Bush.


Sincerely,
TED THOMPSON

[SnakeLH2006]

Meh....on the cheap Manny is ok. Why not draft a guy? Cmatty was 24th...