“Close, but no cigar” is one way to describe Carl Lawson’s 2020 season with the Bengals.
Despite being one of the most disruptive defensive ends in the NFL in terms of bringing pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Lawson finished the season with just 5.5 sacks. However, Lawson created 64 total quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, a number that ranked fourth among all pass rushers. Lawson also finished second among edge rushers with 24 quarterback hits.
While consistent pressure and hits on opposing quarterbacks are usually enough to make most players happy, Lawson is not satisfied. The new Jet voiced his displeasure with his sack numbers when the team reported for training camp Tuesday, indicating that he feels he left a ton of production on the field last season.
“Maybe 100 [sacks], because every rush is supposed to be a sack to me,” Lawson said. “That’s how I evaluate it, so 100 sacks. That’s how many I left on the table. Every rush to me, the way I watch film now is, I’m supposed to win, get there and get the sack.”
Lawson won’t have the benefit of a strong Jets secondary to earn him a ton of coverage sacks in 2021, but he will have the chance to line up next to Quinnen Williams, which could give him more room to maneuver with offensive lines zoned in on slowing down the dominant defensive tackle. Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s defensive scheme could also play heavily to Lawson’s strengths, as New York’s rookie head coach knows a thing or two about putting defenders in the best position to succeed.
The Jets gave Lawson the big bucks in free agency to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. He won’t ever come close to reaching his triple-digit sack dream, but if he can convert just a few more pressure into sacks in 2021, Lawson will be well on his way to establishing himself as one of the predominant pass rushers in football.
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