Shaq Lawson Sets Sights on Pro Bowl & Super Bowl in His 3rd Season

[Green Lightning]

2 minutes ago, jmc12290 said:

Pressures can be as effective as sacks, and even sometimes more effective.

 

That's a result.

Hell yes. Also any QB hit is a great result. Takes it's toll mentally and physically. I like our front four. Still concerned about our LBs. 

[26CornerBlitz]

Shaq Attaq?

 

[Soda Popinski]

I'm ready to be excited for this guy.   Or ready for Murphy to take his job if he isn't getting it done.   Either way i'm ready for more QB pressures/sacks. 

[Royale with Cheese]

6 minutes ago, Soda Popinski said:

I'm ready to be excited for this guy.   Or ready for Murphy to take his job if he isn't getting it done.   Either way i'm ready for more QB pressures/sacks. 

 

I think with Murphy making $7 million a year, he's penciled in as starter.  I think McDermott sees value in a rotation with Shaq but on the 2nd team.  He just hasn't shown enough in the pass rush department to be 1st string.  I think that's why they targeted Murphy early on.

[Soda Popinski]

Just now, Royale with Cheese said:

 

I think with Murphy making $7 million a year, he's penciled in as starter.  I think McDermott sees value in a rotation with Shaq but on the 2nd team.  He just hasn't shown enough in the pass rush department to be 1st string.  I think that's why they targeted Murphy early on.

I think Shaq has value as a run defender and he was stout enough to move inside on passing downs and hopefully generate pressure by beating guards and centers.   Murphy's strength is getting to the QB, so hopefully between the two we have a solid rotation.   

[Commish]

Lawson vows to raise his game:

 

http://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/nfl/nfl-buffalo/here-comes-shaq-lawson-20/1197409375

[row_33]

On 5/5/2018 at 11:49 AM, thurst44 said:

I grew up a Bills fan in NYC (my family is from Buffalo) and was a vocal enough fan that most sports fans in my high school knew it. We drafted Seals my freshman year, and my classmate Kenyatta, a huge NFL fan--Steelers fan if memory serves, talked to me for an entire Spanish class about how we had got the steal of the draft with Leon Seals, so from that point, while he had a decent run with the Bills, he could never live up to the hype in my mind for Dr. Sack.

 

Prime years for high school Bills fandom!

 

my top memory of Leon was his requesting that they get him the hell out of Buffalo after the first SB loss interviews

 

 

[NewEraBills]

On 5/9/2018 at 9:03 AM, Soda Popinski said:

I think Shaq has value as a run defender and he was stout enough to move inside on passing downs and hopefully generate pressure by beating guards and centers.   Murphy's strength is getting to the QB, so hopefully between the two we have a solid rotation.   

Murphy honestly hasn't shown much in his career of getting to the QB either.  He had one season with 9 sacks but outside of that he hasn't really shown much.  His first couple of seasons are very much like guess who, Shaq Lawson.  In his third season he put things together, notched 9 sacks and had a pretty high pressure rate but before that, mehhh.  I say keep both of them.  Talented rotation is a plus in this league.

[Green Lightning]

51 minutes ago, NewEraBills said:

Murphy honestly hasn't shown much in his career of getting to the QB either.  He had one season with 9 sacks but outside of that he hasn't really shown much.  His first couple of seasons are very much like guess who, Shaq Lawson.  In his third season he put things together, notched 9 sacks and had a pretty high pressure rate but before that, mehhh.  I say keep both of them.  Talented rotation is a plus in this league.

Couldn't agree more. I think both these guys compliment each other and if Shaq has a light come on, DE could actually be a position of strength for us.

[Hebert19]

When Healthy he's solid.  I think he can be a very good player for us for a while.  I too expect something from him this year. 

[4_kidd_4]

Yeah yeah, this is like an annual thing around here.

 

Likely draft bust admits he’s been underwhelming, promises this is gonna be the year, and then  essentially admits that he’s been slacking by stating that NOW he’s ready to “do work” and “live up to his potential on the field”.

 

Rinse, repeat.

 

Show me, don’t tell me.

[Kaenon]

On 5/5/2018 at 10:26 AM, Rubes said:

Guys like Shaq (and I would also say Hughes) are talented football players, but not the kind that dominate, change offensive game plans, and open up opportunities for other players. They are more the kind of players that can flourish when there is another dominant player on the line, like a Mario Williams. Hughes can wreak havoc when someone like Mario is drawing attention away from him, and I suspect Shaq could develop into that. But without that other player, they struggle, because they are not at that level.

 

As such, I don't think either one is worthy of a 1st round pick.

We've seen the potential in Lawson, or at least I believe I have. 

 

If he can ward off the injury bug, he can be a Pro Bowl caliber DE, that I do believe.

 

He reminds me a lot of Adrian Clayborn.

[Doc]

 

[BADOLBILZ]

On 5/26/2018 at 9:24 AM, Green Lightning said:

Couldn't agree more. I think both these guys compliment each other and if Shaq has a light come on, DE could actually be a position of strength for us.

 

 

The light coming on would be good but I'm not sure it was very much about a lack of effort before.  

 

He was a darling of camp LAST year when we were told he was killing the Bills OT's and was the best defender on the field at times........that turned out to mean zero.

 

He can watch his diet and work HARD all he wants and it won't matter unless he finds a way to improve his HORRENDOUS first step.

 

Even if he could just not have the WORST get-off of any DL in the NFL that would be an improvement.

 

I saw that twitter clip of him recently practicing in the yard against some dude pretending to be an offensive tackle and when that tackle got out of his stance Shaq actually got out of his stance with only a reasonable delay.   Not impressively quick and not in pads but hopefully a big step toward addressing a truly debilitating weakness.

 

If he can fix that and then do a better job using his arms to maintain separation from OT's he has a chance to reach that Melvin Ingram ceiling as a pass rusher.   Not a great pass rusher but a guy who will get paid in FA.

 

If not he will be hard pressed to maintain what I saw as a Courtney Upshaw floor for him coming out........meaning he will bounce around and get crapped out of the bottom of the league in the next few seasons.    260# DL that can't rush the passer are of little value.  

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

Shaq was never known for being a speed rusher, he has solid speed and solid strength. Shaq's problem's seem to be mental, he is the last person to react when the ball is snapped and he is very slow in diagnosing plays. Kyle Williams is the 1st guy to react when the ball is snapped, maybe if Kyle works with him and he works on his film study he could become a good DE.

[BADOLBILZ]

16 minutes ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

Shaq was never known for being a speed rusher, he has solid speed and solid strength. Shaq's problem's seem to be mental, he is the last person to react when the ball is snapped and he is very slow in diagnosing plays. Kyle Williams is the 1st guy to react when the ball is snapped, maybe if Kyle works with him and he works on his film study he could become a good DE.

 

 

It's no secret around the league that Shaq's get-off is a weakness.    Not sure if I'd call it mental.......neurological is probably the better term.    Synapses firing slow after a period of stillness.

 

Wasn't just a pass rush issue either......actually saw some plays where teams ran quick hitting sweeps right across his face to take advantage of it last season.    Ran by him at less than arms length like he was standing still.   Typically those plays must be taken much wider which reduces their effectiveness. 

 

Once he is out of his stance he shows a very good burst to the ball carrier.....he can disengage and leap into a tackle.....it's literally just going from still to in motion in a reasonable amount of time that he can't do.  

[Pete]

it is good to have goals but how about he gets 5 sacks in a season(16 players have had 5 sacks in a game for perspective) before he says he setting sights on pro bowl

[NewEra]

3 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

It's no secret around the league that Shaq's get-off is a weakness.    Not sure if I'd call it mental.......neurological is probably the better term.    Synapses firing slow after a period of stillness.

 

Wasn't just a pass rush issue either......actually saw some plays where teams ran quick hitting sweeps right across his face to take advantage of it last season.    Ran by him at less than arms length like he was standing still.   Typically those plays must be taken much wider which reduces their effectiveness. 

 

Once he is out of his stance he shows a very good burst to the ball carrier.....he can disengage and leap into a tackle.....it's literally just going from still to in motion in a reasonable amount of time that he can't do.  

Well said. Seem to be a neurological issue.  Watching him in action....he’s a solid player, but he just has zero get off. I still have some hope for him and I hope we don’t trade him.  For a team that likes to keep the DL fresh, he could be a vital piece to that rotation.  I’m rooting for him big time

[stuvian]

didn't know Rex Ryan's condition was contageous

[cba fan]

8 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

It's no secret around the league that Shaq's get-off is a weakness.    Not sure if I'd call it mental.......neurological is probably the better term.    Synapses firing slow after a period of stillness.

 

Wasn't just a pass rush issue either......actually saw some plays where teams ran quick hitting sweeps right across his face to take advantage of it last season.    Ran by him at less than arms length like he was standing still.   Typically those plays must be taken much wider which reduces their effectiveness. 

 

Once he is out of his stance he shows a very good burst to the ball carrier.....he can disengage and leap into a tackle.....it's literally just going from still to in motion in a reasonable amount of time that he can't do.  

Maybe they could get on the line in an upright postion instead of down in a stance?

[BADOLBILZ]

2 minutes ago, cba fan said:

Maybe they could get on the line in an upright postion instead of down in a stance?

 

I've wondered if that wasn't part of the reasoning of Rex Ryan wanting him and projecting him as an OLB...........stand him up, get him moving forward and then you don't have to worry about the awful get off from a 3 point stance.

 

Rex knew the value of a first step though..........hell he scooped up Aaron Maybin and immediately managed to nurse 6 sacks and 4 forced fumbles out of the guy even though his ONLY skill was a first step and even though he was only playing football in the same manner that Pro Wrestlers are fighting.   

[nedboy7]

Sweet let’s make fun of another bill. You folks need a therapist. 

[3rdand12]

8 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:

Sweet let’s make fun of another bill. You folks need a therapist. 

Overly defensive ?
 

Maybe we could get a  two for one  price deal on a therapy session and split the bill ?

Edited May 27, 2018 by 3rdand12

[Domdab99]

So a football player who has disappointed so far wants to be better?

 

Stop the presses.

 

what else is he going to say? 

 

“Yeah, I’m just going to coast this year, get paid, and hopefully get a sack or two.”

Edited May 28, 2018 by Domdab99

[DC Tom]

28 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:

Sweet let’s make fun of another bill. You folks need a therapist. 

 

We're just not happy unless we're miserable.

 

I'm ready to give up on Allen.  Who's with me?

4 minutes ago, Domdab99 said:

So a football player who has disappointed so far wants to be better?

 

Stop the presses.

 

what law he is going to say? 

 

“Yeah, I’m just going to coast this year, get paid, and hopefully get a sack or two.”

 

I want to see a player tell us that, then make the Pro-Bowl.

[3rdand12]

3 minutes ago, Domdab99 said:

So a football player who has disappointed so far wants to be better?

 

Stop the presses.

 

what law he is going to say? 

 

“Yeah, I’m just going to coast this year, get paid, and hopefully get a sack or two.”

I guess the intent  of  the "Lawson at Clemson" feed was just an impetus to get us talking about whether the kid has a future with Bills ?
Has plenty to prove this year. Lets just hope he becomes part of a solid rotation up front !

1 minute ago, DC Tom said:

 

We're just not happy unless we're miserable.

 

I'm ready to give up on Allen.  Who's with me?

 

I want to see a player tell us that, then make the Pro-Bowl.

nobody likes a quitter Tom.
pull yourself together

[John from Riverside]

So I am just going to say this

 

While Shaq had dissapointed as a pass rusher I think he has been an excellent edge setter and run defender.  It is not ALL bad.

 

We drafted a 1st round DE who could not even play on special teams.....THAT was a bust player....Shaq Lawson is far from that.

 

 

[row_33]

13 hours ago, Domdab99 said:

So a football player who has disappointed so far wants to be better?

 

Stop the presses.

 

what else is he going to say? 

 

“Yeah, I’m just going to coast this year, get paid, and hopefully get a sack or two.”

 

it might be refreshing for one to say he knows he's slacked off in the past and plans to slack off even more for the rest of his fat contract

 

 

[atlbillsfan1975]

Shaw has the same problem in college. He was  the last one to get out of his stance on numerous snaps I watched.

having said that I do think Shaq can play DE in this league. If he was a third round pick he would be right on track, third season is the make or break. Not his fault when he was picked, but Shaq is right that it’s time to show he can be a solid starting DE and not a rotational guy.

[nedboy7]

15 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

Overly defensive ?
 

Maybe we could get a  two for one  price deal on a therapy session and split the bill ?

 

defensive?  more like pointing out mental illness. 

[Jay_Fixit]

On 5/27/2018 at 8:10 PM, John from Riverside said:

So I am just going to say this

 

While Shaq had dissapointed as a pass rusher I think he has been an excellent edge setter and run defender.  It is not ALL bad.

 

We drafted a 1st round DE who could not even play on special teams.....THAT was a bust player....Shaq Lawson is far from that.

 

 

So you’re saying Lawson is Chris Kelsay.

 

Yeah, we’re good.

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by Jay_Fixit

[BringBackOrton]

12 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

So I am just going to say this

 

While Shaq had dissapointed as a pass rusher I think he has been an excellent edge setter and run defender.  It is not ALL bad.

 

We drafted a 1st round DE who could not even play on special teams.....THAT was a bust player....Shaq Lawson is far from that.

 

 

Shaq Lawson isn't as bad as Aaron Maybin.  

 

Excellent news.  Now if Josh Allen isn't as bad as Jamarcus Russell, we're killing it this year!

Edited May 28, 2018 by BringBackOrton

[GreggTX]

I'd be thrilled if he were just average. It would be a major improvement. Can he play 4-3 OLB? I think he's too big.

14 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

So I am just going to say this

 

While Shaq had dissapointed as a pass rusher I think he has been an excellent edge setter and run defender.  It is not ALL bad.

 

We drafted a 1st round DE who could not even play on special teams.....THAT was a bust player....Shaq Lawson is far from that.

 

 

Since when is he an "excellent edge setter"? I have yet to hear about Shaq's run defense prowess anywhere other than these forums. No one seems to think he's very special. They even signed Trent Murphy to replace him.

[John from Riverside]

11 minutes ago, GreggTX said:

I'd be thrilled if he were just average. It would be a major improvement. Can he play 4-3 OLB? I think he's too big.

Since when is he an "excellent edge setter"? I have yet to hear about Shaq's run defense prowess anywhere other than these forums. No one seems to think he's very special. They even signed Trent Murphy to replace him.

The tape does in fact show that he is a excellent edge setter.....do you know what it means to set the edge on a defense? (this is not meant to be snarky it is a legit question)

 

The run defense without him looks very different then with him.  The tape does not lie on this.

[BADOLBILZ]

2 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

The tape does in fact show that he is a excellent edge setter.....do you know what it means to set the edge on a defense? (this is not meant to be snarky it is a legit question)

 

The run defense without him looks very different then with him.  The tape does not lie on this.

 

 

Oh really?  Check the following 2018 tape:

 

@NY Jets

New Orleans

@LA Chargers

 

"Excellent" implies that he's been singularly impactful.   That's not the case.   Excellent run defenders change your run defense by their presence.  His work in that all-time franchise worst stretch of defense was really bad.    Coaching staff was not too impressed and benched him to start the KC game.........and the run defense then came out on fire that day.

 

Shaq has fluctuated between bad and good in run defense since his arrival.   His snaps were cut dramatically in 2016 after some terrible run defense he was directly responsible for in the Pittsburgh run defense debacle.  

 

Unfortunately at this point in his career much of the "edge setting" credit he has gotten is directly related to his inability to get off the line.........leaving him in better position to react to the run.   Hopefully he puts it all together this year but there is certainly a false narrative around the quality of his run defense.

[John from Riverside]

7 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Oh really?  Check the following 2018 tape:

 

@NY Jets

New Orleans

@LA Chargers

 

"Excellent" implies that he's been singularly impactful.   That's not the case.   Excellent run defenders change your run defense by their presence.  His work in that all-time franchise worst stretch of defense was really bad.    Coaching staff was not too impressed and benched him to start the KC game.........and the run defense then came out on fire that day.

 

Shaq has fluctuated between bad and good in run defense since his arrival.   His snaps were cut dramatically in 2016 after some terrible run defense he was directly responsible for in the Pittsburgh run defense debacle.  

 

Unfortunately at this point in his career much of the "edge setting" credit he has gotten is directly related to his inability to get off the line.........leaving him in better position to react to the run.   Hopefully he puts it all together this year but there is certainly a false narrative around the quality of his run defense.

So it is your believe that players even when they excel in a certain area dont have bad games?

 

I think we are getting a little away from the original purpose of the post.   I am saying that while Shaq definately has work to do he is far from a bust.

 

As of yet he has not lived up to the potential of where he was drafted, but guys like Maybin and Flowers were busts in my mind while Shaq may end up being no more then a average NFL player.

 

I hope this is not his ceiling but we will have to see......

[3rdand12]

5 hours ago, nedboy7 said:

 

defensive?  more like pointing out mental illness. 

I have poor sense of humor. sorry for the misunderstanding 

[3rdand12]

51 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

So it is your believe that players even when they excel in a certain area dont have bad games?

 

I think we are getting a little away from the original purpose of the post.   I am saying that while Shaq definately has work to do he is far from a bust.

 

As of yet he has not lived up to the potential of where he was drafted, but guys like Maybin and Flowers were busts in my mind while Shaq may end up being no more then a average NFL player.

 

I hope this is not his ceiling but we will have to see......

I think we can agree we should find out what his real worth is this upcoming season.
No more injury and no more Rex.

Let us see what ya really got kid !

[26CornerBlitz]

Shaq Lawson Out to Prove Doubters Wrong as Buffalo Bills Training Camp Nears

Shaq Lawson has traveled a bumpy road since being selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Injuries have limited him to just 21 of a potential 32 games played and his role within former coach Rex Ryan’s defensive scheme probably wasn’t ideal for his skill-set. Furthermore, his weight fluctuated as he was asked to play different roles. Drafted as a traditional defensive end, Lawson dropped weight to play outside linebacker before he was asked to bulk up again to move back to end.

 

His body couldn’t get up to speed with the constant weight fluctuation. It’s difficult to remove all blame from Lawson, but these issues definitely played a role in the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year’s slowed development.

 

[CommonCents]

It’s not Shaq’s fault he probably can’t afford to eat healthy because of the rookie wage scale. Just ask Charles.