Lawson to inside linebacker...

by StrictlyFootball on Feb 12, 2009 11:20 PM PST Comment 28 comments

Just wanted to through out this idea. Even if we do re-sign Takeo Spikes, both him and Ulbrich aren't getting any younger and we need younger talent at the inside linebacking position. Manny Lawson has shown that he is not the pass rushing threat the 49ers wanted when they drafted him at the outside linebacking position, in fact when it is a "passing down" they take him out. But he has proven that he is great at covering and he is a sure tackler. So why not try him out at inside linebacker? The way things are going now, i just can't see the 49ers bringing Lawson back after next season. Also as we all have been saying the 49ers need a significant upgrade at outside linebacker which would mean Haralson and Lawson would probably split time if the 49ers acquire such a starter. I really like Lawson but I think he needs to either get angry and become a QB head hunter at the outside linebacker position, or find a new position. Heck, who knows, maybe he could play safety.

BTW, if Spikes does come back, and I hope he does, I think he should move to outside linebacker (if Lawson moves to ILB) a position he has played before and has excelled at.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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too small and light

by willis52 on Feb 13, 2009 7:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

True

Seems like a waste of his athleticism to have him to play TED.

by methodrampage on Feb 13, 2009 8:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

TED is just one way of playing two inside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme...

You can have like the Chicago Bears, where both inside line backers roam around. You can switch the position up as you see fit.

by StrictlyFootball on Feb 13, 2009 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Niners don't employ that version of 3-4

And I doubt they’d change their defense so that Lawson could play ILB.

by methodrampage on Feb 13, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

that's not a 3-4

Thats the 46 bear

According to the comminsioner of the nfl, 104 people retired last year. 7 due to age, and the rest because of Patrick Willis

by montasmob69 on Feb 13, 2009 9:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Same weight as Ulbrich and Willis and he's 6'5"... How is he too light and small?

by StrictlyFootball on Feb 13, 2009 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

really?

He just looks so skinny in games, thanks for pointing that out

by willis52 on Feb 13, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he's...

… “physically” small, if that makes sense. He’s not a really physical LB, so he plays small.

by sfgfan on Feb 14, 2009 8:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lawson

Probably the most overrated and underrated guy on the niners. He is overrated because people think he is a great pass rusher (six sacks in 32 game is not going to cut it). At the same time, u people seem to completely ignore that he is not a WLB. The weak side is the primary pass rusher and the strong side is meant for run stopping and guarding the TE. In all honestly, Manny is a top 5 coverage LB and a great run stopper. I see the guy stopping screens and sweeps all day. Stop looking at the sacks and look at how he shuts people down and prevents people from turning corners.

According to the comminsioner of the nfl, 104 people retired last year. 7 due to age, and the rest because of Patrick Willis

by montasmob69 on Feb 13, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Spikes

I disagree with moving him outside. I think that with his age, he’s probably better off inside, using his strength and reading abilities to get to a ball carrier (or RB in the flat). I don’t think Spikes is really a pass rusher, so moving him outside would just be replacing one pass-rushless player with a much older one.

As for Lawson, I think that he is doing exactly what the team has asked him to do. I don’t think they drafted him with any preconceived notions that he was going to become some ridiculous sack artist, otherwise they would have slapped him on the weakside, instead of the strong-side. They put him on the strong-side so that he can cover a TE (as none of the other 49ers LBs, except Willis, can perform that task). I think the reason he leaves the field on passing downs is that the 49ers feel he can’t keep up with a WR that could be potentially matched on him.

Basically, I don’t think Lawson needs to generate a pass rush for the 49ers to keep him. Julian Peterson was a complete player (pass rush and coverage skills), but if Lawson could become a poor-man’s version of him, the 49ers would most definitely retain him. The only problem is, he hasn’t shown he can be that. He hasn’t earned the confidence of the coaching staff in one aspect (rushing or coverage), let alone both.

Besides, as method points out, his athleticism is kind of wasted with at the TED. If Willis weren’t around, Lawson would probably best fit (if he HAD to be moved inside) at the MIKE.

by sfgfan on Feb 13, 2009 8:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I somewhat agree about spikes to OLB,

but I’m saying I would do it if we got a solid starting pass rusher at OLB and have Spikes split time with Haralson.

by StrictlyFootball on Feb 13, 2009 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We need one OLB who covers well, Lawson is sorta a prototypical 3-4 coverage OLB. He’s been disappointing as a pass rusher, but he’s still a good OLB.

"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike

by sam23 on Feb 13, 2009 11:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Do you think we will keep him after next year if he can't pass rush?

by StrictlyFootball on Feb 13, 2009 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i think so

but it obviously depends on his price. actually i guess he’s more likely to price his way out with a good pass rushing year

"It’s a hobby of mine. Kind of like collecting your fingernail clippings or pooping in jars." -olympic mike

by sam23 on Feb 13, 2009 12:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lawson

He’s signed through 2010. He signed a 5-year rookie deal in 2006.

by Fooch on Feb 13, 2009 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

don't understand this at all..

switch takeo and manny? thats just dumb dude…

If you had a lineup of 9 Jack Custs who hit(Cust career average) .239 AVG, .382 OBP, and .475 SLG, then your team would score 6.12 runs per game-totalling to 991runs a season.The 08 rangers lead the majors in runs score with 901.

by 9Custs on Feb 13, 2009 5:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Put some size on

Lawson could do it but I think he’d be better back at DE like in college.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Feb 13, 2009 5:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not in a 3-4 (ie: Not with the Niners)

He’s way too small to play end. He’d need to gain like 40-50 lbs.

by Brendan Scolari on Feb 13, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Even in a 4-3...

… he would need to put on at least another 15 pounds of muscle. Lawson isn’t necessarily small by weight/height. The guy really isn’t physical, so he plays smaller.

by sfgfan on Feb 14, 2009 8:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

lawson

I personali thingk the his a better lb the dend becuse hes not tha fast to turn the corners ..

by niner4ever on Mar 13, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 49ers are going to draft at least one linebacker by the 3rd round. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up drafting two because there is nothing in development. Spikes and Ulbrich don’t have many season left so now is the time to get some guys in and develop them to take over.

by bignerd on Feb 14, 2009 1:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

lb

I agree with drafting cople of LB yust because the age of wat we got lef over from prier years ..

by niner4ever on Mar 13, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Strictlyfooseball

we should then move Isaac Sopoaga to SS, Clements to Nose Tackle, and Isaac Bruce to Fullback

by 9Custs on Feb 15, 2009 9:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

to

by niner4ever on Mar 15, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

full backs

for tha let goheat and call rice and clark back to the game…

by niner4ever on Mar 15, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Switch him to...

TE like Aundray Bruce.

"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"

by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Feb 16, 2009 8:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Okay

I’m a Raider fan, but I love your linebacker core. Probably my favorite from all in the NFL. And moving Lawson with all that speed to the inside would mess things up. Inside linebackers need to be able to enforce and hit and plug holes. Not saying Lawson can’t do that, but his speed is best utilized on the outside. Trust me, we are having some serious problems with our Linebacker core right now. I would love to trade you guys.

A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.

by Rayder K on Feb 16, 2009 10:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

players

please if I have any miss spell sqsme for tha IM lookin for a replica briant young jersey if anyone can help me thank u I leave in Miami and is hard to find anithimg of the 49er even on line thanku,now how bout singaterry and the 49ers I personaly thingk is the best thing the thifranchisse have dont foe the pass years…

by niner4ever on Mar 13, 2009 10:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs