Of all the recent draft picks, I was most excited about Dexter Lawrence, who I thought was going to be a Goliath-sized force in the middle. I’m not sure what to think now. Seems competent, but also saw him get overrun on a number of plays last night and haven’t really seen anything especially noteworthy (despite going against a lot of backups).
What do you gentlemen think?
Each week we get some head-scratching threads about players who actually are pulling their own weight
He would have been a great pick if we had a real pass rusher.
Each week we get some head-scratching threads about players who actually are pulling their own weight
Bingo. Do we not recall the past few years where we were just getting decimated by the run? People bitch about Lawrence getting drafting. They bitch about bringing in Williams. They are a lot better against the run on D.
The roster isn't built right. There is no consistent threat at edge rusher.
Just asking what you’re seeing. Not arguing, not pretending to know anything about line play (which I most assuredly don’t).
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In comment 15021684 mittenedman said:
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You can't spend a 1st round pick on a run-stuffing DT.
I do think he's playing out of position and may have a knee injury (Tomlinson is playing NT which is where Lawrence should be) - but the ROI is questionable.
It's too bad the Giants couldn't've pulled off the trade up for Josh Allen after they had taken Jones. That would've been a great move paying big dividends.
This is 100% true. They picked a non-premium position with a premium pick. And they picked a position that they were already ok at and they are now playing this player out of position.
He's a DT/NT who is playing a 3-4 end. That's not what he does.
Lawrence is exactly who I thought he was when they picked him.
It's yet another complete blunder by fucking DG.
That would be on Bettcher/Graham. Why is he playing at 3-4 DE?
It's on Bettcher. Graham is just using the personnel he has on hand.
None of the DTs are going to look great until there's also a pass rush from the edges.
I don't agree. QB, Edge Rusher, LT, RT are definitively above a NT/DT but you can argue that's it. Stopping the run is unbelievable valuable, as is taking on doubles to free up pass rushers.
We just aren't seeing the fruits of the labor because the pass rush talent it so poor. That Blake Martinez blitz up the middle is a prime example. Can't remember the last time we pulled that off.
I am not a fan of drafting run stuffing DTs in the 1st round unless you are talking about a Vince Wilfork/young Snacks Harrison. Completely dominant. Just like RBs, a good GM should be able to find run stuffers in the later rounds and bargain bin free agency.
Gettleman (who I don't hate nearly as much as others) did this in Carolina too - he drafted Victor Butler in the 1st round when he already had Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short.
Can you honestly say there is that much a difference between Dexter Lawrence and - say - Austin Johnson to warrant taking Lawrence in the 1st round?
I really people would understand the role of the DT. And the impact they have. Just taking up blockers and neutralizing the line, not only stuffs the run, but allows LB's and safeties to come in cleanly for tackles.
Ask Martinez if he thinks Lawrence is doing a great job.
So many people want to boil down DT play to sacks. And if they don't get them, then that player is dinged and downgraded. But that's only by fans. Coaches know what role the DT is supposed to serve.
Dear god, please allow McKinney to be the smart, versatile, ball hawking safety we need ... c’mon, throw us a bone.
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In comment 15021709 GiantsFan84 said:
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In comment 15021684 mittenedman said:
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You can't spend a 1st round pick on a run-stuffing DT.
I do think he's playing out of position and may have a knee injury (Tomlinson is playing NT which is where Lawrence should be) - but the ROI is questionable.
It's too bad the Giants couldn't've pulled off the trade up for Josh Allen after they had taken Jones. That would've been a great move paying big dividends.
This is 100% true. They picked a non-premium position with a premium pick. And they picked a position that they were already ok at and they are now playing this player out of position.
He's a DT/NT who is playing a 3-4 end. That's not what he does.
Lawrence is exactly who I thought he was when they picked him.
It's yet another complete blunder by fucking DG.
That would be on Bettcher/Graham. Why is he playing at 3-4 DE?
It's on Bettcher. Graham is just using the personnel he has on hand.
And yet he's still listed as a defensive end.
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The role he plays is not where that type of draft pick gets spent. Any pass rush you get from him is a bonus. To me, he's a NT. That's not a top ten position.
I don't agree. QB, Edge Rusher, LT, RT are definitively above a NT/DT but you can argue that's it. Stopping the run is unbelievable valuable, as is taking on doubles to free up pass rushers.
We just aren't seeing the fruits of the labor because the pass rush talent it so poor. That Blake Martinez blitz up the middle is a prime example. Can't remember the last time we pulled that off.
I meant not a position you spend a top ten pick on, sorry. There are only so many people on the planet that can be a true NT but those guys don't go top ten. Even Vince Wilfork didn't go top 10 and he was a certified pass rusher. I go back to my point that I believe in the player, but I think they took him more on what they thought was his potential and what he could be after learning from a DL coach at the pro level. The expectation wasn't a run plugged. It was more of a two-way guy and in that I feel he was overdrafted.
I recall seeing someone the other day lauding the Raiders organization. It's funny the things people choose to shit on. Lawrence is not one of them.
I recall seeing someone the other day lauding the Raiders organization. It's funny the things people choose to shit on. Lawrence is not one of them.
I would have picked Maxx Crosby over Oshane Ximines though.
I think that’s a minority opinion.
As I was wondering, has he been getting tired? He's only been on the field half the time.
I have been flip-flipling Jones and Lawrence draft positions in my head for months. I'm sorry about that. I have made this mistake before.
Edge rusher as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 rushbacker? Are we talking a Michael Strahan-type or Lawrence Taylor-type?
Each week we get some head-scratching threads about players who actually are pulling their own weight
Imagine hanging your hat on this, thinking it matters, as a 1-6 football team. That’s the whole point. A good DT, a DT simply doing his job, does not translate to wins. Don’t spend premium picks on players/positions with inherently limited ability to create wins. DG in Charlotte wooof.
THis. I don't think he plays enough. WHy I don't know. Alot was made of his improved conditioning but I think he need tro be on the field more.
I suppose he's doing well, as is the entire DL for the most part except for some breakdowns. Not having an edge rusher really hurts.
But people where making the comment we'd be saying the OBJ tradeoff would be worth it..not sure that's going to happen.
OBJ is and idiot, but he has some game changing moments here....I am not sure Lawrence approaches that (or course in a way a DT can).
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pretty damn good. Lawrence is a big part of that, as is Tomlinson and Williams.
Each week we get some head-scratching threads about players who actually are pulling their own weight
Imagine hanging your hat on this, thinking it matters, as a 1-6 football team. That’s the whole point. A good DT, a DT simply doing his job, does not translate to wins. Don’t spend premium picks on players/positions with inherently limited ability to create wins. DG in Charlotte wooof.
What does translate to wins?? That's such an ambiguous take. Hey, a good RB doesn't translate to wins. A good DT doesn't. A good Wr doesn't. Blah, Blah, Blah.
If you collect enough good players - it is likely you will be a winning team. Lawrence is a good to great player.
That's good because he was drafted at 17, not in the top 10.
I really people would understand the role of the DT. And the impact they have. Just taking up blockers and neutralizing the line, not only stuffs the run, but allows LB's and safeties to come in cleanly for tackles.
Ask Martinez if he thinks Lawrence is doing a great job.
So many people want to boil down DT play to sacks. And if they don't get them, then that player is dinged and downgraded. But that's only by fans. Coaches know what role the DT is supposed to serve.
If Dexter Lawrence is so great, why is he playing less?
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The pass rush in this defense needs to come from edge/olb. We just don’t have that right now and our only hope tore his Achilles. Can’t be great everywhere, but to have a truly good defense we need a couple solid defensive backs or an edge rusher. I think an edge rusher would be better considering how much pressure our interior line generates. Hopefully we secure that with our top 10 pick this year. Really has a chance to transform this defense from decent to top 5 IMO.
Edge rusher as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 rushbacker? Are we talking a Michael Strahan-type or Lawrence Taylor-type?
Honestly I think our top pick next year is going to determine that. Our personnel up front can play the 4/3 and we certainly don’t have rush backers to keep us here. Graham I think can run both and all that’s come out their mouths is ability to be multiple so I think our base next year will be dictated whether what type will be available to us with our top pick.
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whoa, whoa. Lawrence isn't playing better than Austin Johnson now??
I really people would understand the role of the DT. And the impact they have. Just taking up blockers and neutralizing the line, not only stuffs the run, but allows LB's and safeties to come in cleanly for tackles.
Ask Martinez if he thinks Lawrence is doing a great job.
So many people want to boil down DT play to sacks. And if they don't get them, then that player is dinged and downgraded. But that's only by fans. Coaches know what role the DT is supposed to serve.
If Dexter Lawrence is so great, why is he playing less?
His tank stinks and I don’t know if you noticed we have lots of dline man playing well.
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In comment 15021817 FatMan in Charlotte said:
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whoa, whoa. Lawrence isn't playing better than Austin Johnson now??
I really people would understand the role of the DT. And the impact they have. Just taking up blockers and neutralizing the line, not only stuffs the run, but allows LB's and safeties to come in cleanly for tackles.
Ask Martinez if he thinks Lawrence is doing a great job.
So many people want to boil down DT play to sacks. And if they don't get them, then that player is dinged and downgraded. But that's only by fans. Coaches know what role the DT is supposed to serve.
If Dexter Lawrence is so great, why is he playing less?
His tank stinks and I don’t know if you noticed we have lots of dline man playing well.
His tank stinks? I’m confused.
I recall seeing someone the other day lauding the Raiders organization. It's funny the things people choose to shit on. Lawrence is not one of them.
It was probably me and I stand by that assertion. Ferrell may not be worthy of the 4th overall pick based on sack numbers, but he is a pretty damn good 2 way DE. Factor in the value that they got in Crosby and Id say they broke even.
They also have a very good OL that has been mashing. Waller was a diamond in the rough.
That is a team built from the inside out and they are playing power football.