Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Manny Lawson excited for Mike Pettine's hybrid 'D'

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Recently-signed Buffalo Bills linebacker Manny Lawson sees a change coming.

In his last two years with the San Francisco 49ers, he tallied nine sacks before managing only a third of that in 2011 and 2012 with the Cincinnati Bengals. (photo: Brooksphere, Flickr)

But with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine now at the helm in Buffalo, Lawson says things are about to take a turn for the better.

“I would like to rush the passer more,” Lawson said during his introductory press conference, via Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “And talking to Mike, with the packages that he has for us, I’ll get a chance to.”

It’s no secret that Pettine is looking to shake things up in Buffalo, and he has promised that he’ll be aggressive and use his players to their full potential. In Lawson’s case, his strength has always been the pass rush, but he told the media on Wednesday that he thinks he’ll fit well into Pettine’s “hybrid” scheme.

“I’m a defensive end in a linebacker’s body," he said. "I can drop into coverage. I can rush the passer. I think I fit well in this scheme in that I can bluff those same things, too.

“As far as creating mismatches for offenses, whether or not this guy’s going to do what he’s lined up to do right now based upon on previous film, I think I fit well in this scheme.”

Lawson has amassed 18 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions in his seven-year career.

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