Archives for April 29, 2016

'“In Buffalo, we’re the lead recruiters of Clemson (players) and one way to do it is to draft their guys high,” Whaley said with a laugh, the quickly added, “they won a national championship because they have good players. You don’t want to draft a Clemson player, or any player that isn’t worthy of the value that you put on him.”'

'Scouts view the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Lawson is exceptionally quick and athletic. They also see him as being strong at the point of attack, and using his hands well to separate from blockers.'

'Lawson, the 19th overall pick on Friday night, may be precisely the chess piece Buffalo needs to make offensive coordinators shudder. Too often last season, they weren't.'

'The draft board fell right for the Bills. When they picked at No. 19, three of the most talented defensive players were still available: Lawson, Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed and UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Paxton Lynch, the third-rated quarterback, was also on the board.'

'Medical staff cleared him, said he can play. Now, if something happens, it’s going to happen, but it’s nothing that we’re real worried about or we wouldn’t have taken him. We got complete faith in our medical staff and they signed off on him, so we’re excited to have him.'

'I got a lot of experience as a standup guy. I played standup linebacker in high school, played standup at Clemson. Man I am comfortable with it, I am going to be ready to go.'

'“I don’t want to label that guy as a pass rusher. He’s an every-down player. The guy I’m familiar with that he reminds me of is Shaun Ellis. Shaun Ellis has that great size and great twitch. He played a long time in the NFL. Could’ve played 4-3, could’ve played 3-4. And Charles Grant. He’s another guy who had pass-rush ability but he could play the run and was just a big, physical end.”'

'There is a red flag here. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that after next season, Lawson would need shoulder surgery that'd sideline him "4-6 months" at some point. The Bills aren't concerned. Whaley said that the team's medical staff cleared Lawson and that they aren't worried at all. "It's nothing that we're really worried about," the GM said, "or we wouldn't have taken him." Buffalo must keep an eye on it, of course.'

'Lawson was projected to be a mid-round pick, and it was a dicey proposition whether he would get to the Bills, but in a draft that has been said to be deep in defensive linemen, only three went before Lawson.'

'“Very few times can you go into a draft and have a really big need and the guy standing out like sore thumb is the guy you want and it fills that need,’’ said Whaley, who repeated the sore thumb line later on. “We’re extremely excited.’’'

'“He only had one college season as a full-time starter, but played a significant role in a rotation his first two years. Lawson can play end in a 3-4, or 4-3 but needs to get a little bigger to play in a 3-4. He has excellent overall athleticism and a tremendous upside.”'

'Some think Lawson is best suited for a 4-3 scheme, but Lawson should be able to stay productive as a 3-4 pass rusher. The question is where the Bills will play him. With Jerry Hughes as one edge rusher and Manny Lawson playing strong-side linebacker, Lawson may be asked to move around the formation a bit. He may not have the size to play as a down lineman in the 3-4, but Ryan likes to find different ways to use players.'

'"No, there's no truth to Adam Schefter's report about me having surgery. I don't know where that comes from. I guess he just wanted to put something out there. If I didn't have surgery my freshman year, why would I have surgery now?"'

'"He impacted a lot. He made me a man. He made me the man I was today. I had to step up a lot when he passed away, being a father figure for my little brothers and sisters. I was being there for them. So he impacted me a whole lot."'

'"If you want a visual, think Brian Orakpo, best-case scenario a Tamba Hali. I don't think he's got Tamba's get-off and first step, but he's got heavy hands. He'll fit that scheme because he can play inside or outside, up or down. And you know how Rex likes those chess pieces that he can play with on third down packages."'