Pick 23: Malachi Lawrence EDGE

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah, anyone remember that picture of Eberflus way back in minicamps I think and he looked like a stooped over, beaten old man? And the caption was something like, this is what you look like after Chicago completely breaks you... That was pretty much correct.

 

[ravidubey]

This is all true but a player like Downs is one of the best possible guys to have to turn that around.

Yes. Someone has to start building a team. The new class, Parker, Clark & Quinnen, and a couple of leftovers need to bond and learn each others’ positional responsibilities and strengths. Like Charlie Waters, Mel Renfro, and Dennis Thurman used to do.

I still can’t get over Darren Woodson saying the Cowboys haven’t gotten lined up right defensively in years. WTF have these coordinators been doing? That’s like job #1

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Yes. Someone has to start building a team. The new class, Parker, Clark & Quinnen, and a couple of leftovers need to bond and learn each others’ positional responsibilities and strengths. Like Charlie Waters, Mel Renfro, and Dennis Thurman used to do.

I still can’t get over Darren Woodson saying the Cowboys haven’t gotten lined up right defensively in years. WTF have these coordinators been doing? That’s like job #1

Quinn was never about discipline on defense. That's not intended to dog Quinn. But I think he was more about freedom and letting players just go out and try to make plays. And then ever since he left, our guys have just looked confused. I'm glad we turned over most of the defensive roster because I just don't think the Quinn guys were capable of adapting to a system with complexity that requires discipline.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This may sound funny, but does anyone else feel a little nervous about Lawrence? Not because I didn't want him, but because of the opposite -- he was my #1 pet cat and I don't remember us taking a player I hoped for that much in a long time.

It's almost like there's a little pressure with a player like that vs just another draftee you hope works out. And there is a little risk with him maybe being a little straight-linish and not being the most powerful.

Don't get me wrong, it's going to be great watching a kid with his natural gifts develop. Just feel more invested than usual.

 

[Cotton]

Don't get me wrong, it's going to be great watching a kid with his natural gifts develop. Just feel more invested than usual.

You just don't want to go down in board lore as having had a pet cat turn out like Smitty's Troy Hambrick bromance. It's understandable.

 

[bbgun]

He's Saban's 2nd round sleeper, you know. I just wish his "fast rise" had more to do with his college career and not workouts.

 

[Simpleton]

He's Saban's 2nd round sleeper, you know. I just wish his "fast rise" had more to do with his college career and not workouts.

It wasn't just the Combine, it was more that the Combine confirmed what you saw on tape.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

He's Saban's 2nd round sleeper, you know. I just wish his "fast rise" had more to do with his college career and not workouts.

Yeah I think it had more to do with the media catching up to what teams thought. Sounds like the Cowboys had him as a first/second round prospect before the combine ever happened. The area scout was all over him before this past season started. Again, I think the media lags in finding out what teams think of players.

 

[NoDak]

I mentioned him as a pet cat before the combine, so if he flames out I’m prepared to shoulder the load.

 

[ravidubey]

He was the best pass rusher on the board, he and TJ Parker. Will be interesting to compare their development, but I look at Lawrence as part of an ensemble psss-rushing attack