Is Manny Lawson The 49ers Multi-Tool Athlete At Outside Linebacker?

by David Fucillo on Jan 22, 2011 6:00 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

A couple days ago Matt Barrows put together a post titled "Niners need a multi-tool at outside linebacker." In his post he discussed the comparisons between Vic Fangio and Dom Capers. Capers is currently the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator and runs a blitzing scheme that is able to take full advantage of the aggressive abilities of Clay Mathews. Barrows discussed Mathews and pointed to what we can expect in Sunday's NFC Championship Game:

Watch Matthews on Sunday. He'll rush from both sides of the line of scrimmage as well as up the middle. He'll drop into coverage. He'll pursue from the backside. He does a little of everything, and he does it all well. And in the hands of creative coordinator like Capers, that's a huge advantage.

I read over this article and this description of Clay Mathews had me thinking of 49ers OLB Manny Lawson. Under Greg Manusky the 49ers utilized Lawson in a variety of ways. Unfortunately it seemed like there were times when we had no idea what was going on with Lawson. I believe there was one game under Mike Nolan in which Lawson was used exclusively in special teams. Nolan is no longer around, but the insanity of that situation still has to be considered.

No matter what happens with the CBA in the coming weeks or months, it's safe to assume Manny Lawson will be a free agent this offseason. If that's the case, is he a guy you bring back and try to build this new pass rush around? The 49ers have several pass-rushing outside linebackers that had some issues in 2010. This post is primarily about Manny Lawson, but Parys Haralson and Ahmad Brooks do factor into how the team deals with Lawson in 2011. I'd imagine the team will attempt to address the OLB pass rushing role in the upcoming draft, but is Lawson a sufficient answer in 2011? His size and athleticism is quite impressive and I sometimes think a new defensive scheme could be the difference in getting Lawson to the next level. Am I crazy (on this topic!)?

Poll

Will Manny Lawson be on the 49ers roster week 1 of 2011?

Yes

672 votes

No

261 votes

933 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

You sort of wonder if Manny Lawson is the Alex Smith of LBs

It’s always the scheme, or the coordinator, or something—the first rounder just always falls a little bit short. Maybe not as dramatically as Alex, but both inspire the same mixture of hope and disappointment: you’re always wondering, is this is the year?

by BlueInTheFace on Jan 22, 2011 6:44 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

CBA may necessitate signing him.

If no better replacement is found, team be in rough waters

by Vertigo on Jan 22, 2011 6:53 AM PST via mobile reply actions

don't see why, every team is in the same CBA situation

by whistlingmountain on Jan 22, 2011 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

When I think of multi-tool, Lawson is exactly what I think of

He’s fast, very athletic, great in coverage, and a decent pass rusher. Matthews is a better pass rusher but poorer in coverage IMO. We need a better pass rusher (since Haralson did [site decorum]-all this year), and Lawson would be a great compliment to him — R. Quinn?

Is it draft day yet?

by See Jay on Jan 22, 2011 6:56 AM PST reply actions

Haralson

Can somebody tell me why he’s on the team? He never seems to be doing anything.

by brundylop on Jan 22, 2011 7:45 AM PST up reply actions

8 sacks in 2008

I think

Is it draft day yet?

by See Jay on Jan 22, 2011 7:46 AM PST up reply actions

foreallllz

haralson is too small and slow

1st round- Cam Newton 2nd round-jimmy smith 3rd round- Noel Devine 4th round- Owen Mariecic 4th round-Jonathon Baldwin 5th round-Aaron Williams 6th- Jerrell Powe 7th- Kai forbath

by willis is god 52 on Jan 22, 2011 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

you should have had "I Hope" option on your poll

I can see Lawson excelling under a new scheme. I’d love him back. If we disguised if he was going to rush or drop back in coverage that may be the advantage he needs to use his speed. I noticed this year Lawson only had a few sacks but when he came on stunts he was almost always in the opposing qbs face. lawson isn’t the problem its haralson. If we had willis lawson and say R. quinn that would be sick I think quinn has been clocked around 4.38

by RBoogy29 on Jan 22, 2011 6:58 AM PST reply actions

Resign Him

He was very good this year. I believe with Fangio defense he will be better at getting to the QB. I think maybe manusky was hampered by singletary and the offense and played too conservative. If there looking for a OLB he can take Haralson spot, probably a stud via the draft. Also very curious to see what Gibson has got. Drafted by the steelers, they always produce good LB’s now that we have leavitt, i believe we will be better.

by h0ckeysk83r on Jan 22, 2011 8:31 AM PST reply actions

lawson will flourish under fangio

so will travis laboy he reminds me of a clay mathews type

1st round- Cam Newton 2nd round-jimmy smith 3rd round- Noel Devine 4th round- Owen Mariecic 4th round-Jonathon Baldwin 5th round-Aaron Williams 6th- Jerrell Powe 7th- Kai forbath

by willis is god 52 on Jan 22, 2011 9:33 AM PST up reply actions

LaBoy is 1 demensional

He’s passing downs only.

by whistlingmountain on Jan 22, 2011 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

that's fine

that’s why we brought him in

by smileyman on Jan 22, 2011 7:16 PM PST up reply actions

The 49ers have better 3-4 options at OLB than Lawson

Listen, i like Lawson a lot as a player, i just believe he would be better suited playing in a 4-3 system, and the 49ers would be better off with a pure pass rusher. I really do think that Lawson would excel in a 4-3 system, however, his skills are not best utilized here. If Lawson does stay my hope are that the new coaching staff makes some switches in regards to how he plays

Possible OLBs
FA: Tamba Hali, LaMarr Woodley,
Draft: Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Justin Houston and Jeremy Bea.

Mila "Sweet Lips" Kunis, as stated by Scarlett Johansson. I couldn't agree more. Reverse would be true too!!!!

by nocal81(Vincent) on Jan 22, 2011 8:51 AM PST reply actions

if we go FAs then we need nnamdi asomugha

1st round- Cam Newton 2nd round-jimmy smith 3rd round- Noel Devine 4th round- Owen Mariecic 4th round-Jonathon Baldwin 5th round-Aaron Williams 6th- Jerrell Powe 7th- Kai forbath

by willis is god 52 on Jan 22, 2011 9:36 AM PST up reply actions

they don't need a 14 million dollar corner

no team does.

by whistlingmountain on Jan 22, 2011 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

he won't get $14 million per

by smileyman on Jan 22, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions

Brief feedback ...

I too like Hali and Woodley, but there is no way that KC and Pittsburgh will let them get away … but we can always wish.
As to draftees, for pure pass-rusher, which is what we need, IMO Robert Quinn is superior to all of the four you’ve listed. Why? BIGGER AND FASTER!

by 49erFanSince1950 on Jan 22, 2011 4:14 PM PST up reply actions

Lawson is Solid

I don’t think Lawson is the pass rush problem. He’d be great as the complimentary OLB. We need the big pass rush OLB and Lawson on the other side. Rolling protection away from Lawson to someone dangerous would free him to cover or rush as required and be successful in both rolls.

by Dave R. on Jan 22, 2011 9:14 AM PST reply actions