Coach Mike Nolan said Monday he is trying to reduce wear and tear on rookie Manny Lawson this season.
Lawson’s blocked punt in the third quarter of Sunday’s game swung momentum to the 49ers, but some observers were puzzled to see the young outside linebacker, chosen primarily for his pass-rushing skill, was mostly on the sideline when the Raiders faced third downs.
“Manny’s been a rookie who’s been getting a lot of play,” Nolan said. “And we can’t do that to him because late in the games he’s wearing down. And as a rookie, he’s already close to (the length of) that college season he went through. And he’s got a whole other season to go.”
Nolan said the primary goal this season is to teach Lawson, a defensive end at North Carolina State last season, how to play linebacker. That means having him on the field on first and second downs, a role he has played well so far. In addition to his two sacks, Lawson is sixth on the team in tackles and has excelled at keeping running plays contained.
[Sacramento Bee]
ShaneO said:
i totally understand the philopshy here, but we need to do something
our pass rush is costing us games. and if our d cant keep us in the game the next 2 weeks we are gonan start sinking
7 hours after the fact.MJ said:
Good point ShaneO.
8 hours after the fact.mike said:
Good thinking, what about wear and tear on Gore also?
9 hours after the fact.billy said:
cut him
12 hours after the fact.Bob In Pacifica said:
Or rest him on first down.
And if they can keep running the ball (good luck against the Chargers), that’ll keep the defense off the field that much more.
13 hours after the fact.cisco said:
give him steroids….lol
13 hours after the fact.hello said:
UHH.. NO SHIT??? can’t you guys tell he’s tiring when he just stands at the line of scrimmage and looks at the lineman he’s going against
14 hours after the fact.Davis #6 Pick for President said:
Tell Lawson not to have sex for a least 3 days before the games.
... Anyways… He’s a good player, he’ll adapt.
16 hours after the fact.