Machota - Lawrence’s expectations for his rookie season: ’10-plus sacks'

[boozeman]

Dallas Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence’s expectations for his rookie season: ’10-plus sacks’

By Jon Machota

jmachota@dallasnews.com
3:57 pm on July 24, 2014 |

OXNARD, Calif. — DeMarcus Lawrence has some lofty expectations for his rookie season.

The Dallas Cowboys defensive end says he’s looking for double-digit sacks in his first season.

“My expectation is to go out and get 10 sacks, 10-plus sacks,” Lawrence said. “Whatever coach needs me to do.”

What if they need him to be an impact pass-rusher beginning Week 1?

“Then that’s what I’m going to be,” Lawrence, a second-round pick, responded without hesitation.

Lawrence was working with the second-team defensive line during Thursday morning’s walk-through practice. That doesn’t mean much, though. With his athleticism and size, Lawrence has the potential to be the team’s starting right defensive end.

That’s the starting position vacated by the departure of seven-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware.

As he did during mini-camp and organized team activities, Lawrence fields a lot of questions comparing him to the former Cowboys star. But he says it doesn’t bother him.

“It’s a great honor to be compared to somebody like that,” Lawrence said. “But it’s just the same name comparison. At the end of the day, he plays for the Broncos and I play for the Cowboys.”

Lawrence’s learning curve will be aided greatly by the competition he’ll face every day over the next month. Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith has already been a handful for the rookie. Lawrence is amazed by the former first-round pick’s footwork and array of moves.

His goal is to learn as much as possible from Smith and then apply it on Sundays.

“It’s going to be a long camp, but he ain’t doing nothing but preparing me for the season,” Lawrence said. “If I’m going against the best, I already know what to expect. Then when I give my effort that I give against him every day, soon I’ll be the best.”

 

[Cotton]

I like his attitude. Hopefully, he can translate to this level. Our defensive success hinges on it.

 

[Smitty]

I like the attitude too but I'd put the over under at 5.5 or 6.

The great DeMarcus Ware had 8 his rookie year and he was in the process of skyrocketing very quickly to his peak in a Hall of Fame caliber career.

 

[Clay_Allison]

I like the attitude too but I'd put the over under at 5.5 or 6.

The great DeMarcus Ware had 8 his rookie year and he was in the process of skyrocketing very quickly to his peak in a Hall of Fame caliber career.

That was also in Zimmer's D from before Zimmer started running Marvin Lewis' defense.

 

[mcnuttz]

That was also in Zimmer's D from before Zimmer started running Marvin Lewis' defense.

Wasn't that Zimmer's first year in the 3-4 as well?

I like Lawrence's optimism, looking forward to the anger that he talks about channeling to the field.

 

[Clay_Allison]

Wasn't that Zimmer's first year in the 3-4 as well?

yeah.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I think there'll be a lot of people surprised by this kid and even more surprised what kind of production can come from his position on the DL when it isn't being manned by a one legged injury riddled player.

 

[ravidubey]

I think there'll be a lot of people surprised by this kid and even more surprised what kind of production can come from his position on the DL when it isn't being manned by a one legged injury riddled player.

I'll just be happy to see the coaches allowed to rotate players at that spot instead of being forced by Jerry to play one guy because he's paid him a fortune. I can only imagine how productive DeMarcus Ware would have been had he been allowed to rest during games.

It all must come down to merit in the NFL.

In Seattle when Bruce Irvin sucks, he's benched and then made to change positions. When a money FA sucks at QB, he's benched in favor of the undersized 3rd round pick. In Dallas, he's guaranteed a starting position.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I like the attitude too but I'd put the over under at 5.5 or 6.

The great DeMarcus Ware had 8 his rookie year and he was in the process of skyrocketing very quickly to his peak in a Hall of Fame caliber career.

Those are pretty low expectations considering Selvie had 7 sacks last year in this defense. I'd personally put the over under at 8. That's what I expect him to get as a rookie in a heavy rotation.

 

[Clay_Allison]

Those are pretty low expectations considering Selvie had 7 sacks last year in this defense. I'd personally put the over under at 8. That's what I expect him to get as a rookie in a heavy rotation.

If Selvie, Mincey and Lawrence average seven sacks each that's 21. It's a best case scenario, but it's not impossible for them to hit those numbers in a rotation as long as at least one of those guys (probably the veteran Mincey) is comfortable enough to play left and right.

 

[Cotton]

Can Cowboys rookie DeMarcus Lawrence get 10 sacks? “When I see it, I’ll say that’s pretty good,” DC Rod Marinelli says

By David Moore dmoore@dallasnews.com
12:16 pm on July 28, 2014 | Permalink

DeMarcus Lawrence doesn’t lack confidence. The defensive end has proclaimed he intends to collect at least 10 sacks this season although history shows few rookies taken in the second round are able to get anywhere near that goal.

What does defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli think of the rookie’s declaration?

“I guess I’d just like to see it,’’ Marinelli said. “When I see it, I’ll say that’s pretty good.’’

Marinelli doesn’t want the second round pick to worry about sacks at the moment. He’s more concerned that Lawrence “worry about winning one-on-one’’ matchups here in camp.