Carl Lawson said the key to his pass rush moves is being 'strong as s--t'
Some pass rushers use speed, some use technique, but Carl Lawson is a different breed, The former Auburn Tiger has a much simpler theory as to why he projects to be one of the league’s most feared defensive ends.
“Leverage and hand placement and angles, and just overall being strong as s–t,” stated Lawson, via SNY on Twitter. “I mean, not many people can do it.”
The prize free agent for the New York Jets, Lawson’s strength will come in handy when he’s trying to stop AFC East quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Cam Newton and Tua Tagovailoa. He’s so confident in his abilities that he’s willing to give away his secret to success for free.
It takes more than being strong to rack up the sacks like the former Auburn Tiger has, so Lawson has also added a few new pass rushing moves to his arsenal. In addition, the defensive end is so in-tune with his craft, he believes he’s similar to a certain powerful action movie protagonist.
“It’s kind of like Neo in The Matrix, in the next movie, where he’s just doing it,” Lawson said, on how he’s perfected his craft. “That’s what I’m kind of getting to as a player.”
If Lawson lives up to his lofty billing, he may set records for the Jets in 2021.
Carl Lawson is just entering his prime
When the Jets signed Lawson to a 3-year, $45 million contract, they paid for what they believe he’s capable of. While the defensive end had 8.5 sacks his rookie season, he only had 11.5 sacks combined over the next three seasons.
However, a torn ACL in 2018 and being played out of position throughout his time in Cincinnati contributed to that. Lawson is still just 26 years of age, and the Jets have been desperate for pass rushing help. The former Bengal is joining the team at the perfect time.
This season, defensive guru Robert Saleh is taking over at head coach. Unfortunately, he’s leaving Nick Bosa and his other talented pass rushers in San Francisco. The new Jets head coach is looking for somebody to take up the mantle of the ferocious defensive end for his defense.
Evidently, Saleh tabbed Lawson to be that guy. When speaking on the differences between the Bengals defensive schemes and his new scheme in New York, Lawson said he feels like he’s finally able to unleash his potential.
“It was more so a development scheme, a hybrid linebacker/DE,” Lawson said, per Jets.com. “I was supposed to be a linebacker, nickel back and a pass rusher is what he envisioned for me. But it never unfolded. I was coming off an injury my third year easing back in, and they just wanted me in a certain role.
“I’m a pro so whatever the organization wants me to do I’m going to do. You get better at football by playing football. Last season I was ecstatic to be able to play. I can improve on those reps and continue to get better.
“I’m not bashing anything I’ve played before. It’s kind of like being unchained, breaking the chains. That’s kind of how I feel in this system. It’s just being unleashed.”
Carl Lawson boils things down to just being stronger than the opposition. However, it’s obvious the defensive end is much more than that.
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