Scouting Report: Lawrence Jackson

by John Morgan on Apr 28, 2008 2:46 PM PDT in 2008 NFL Draft Comment 18 comments

My sources dried up so I had to bite the bullet and buy a subscription to CSTV. I've watched 4 games in detail, so you can look at that as sort of the sample size.

Skills are broken down from ++ to --. ++ are complete skills, pro ready. -- are glaring weaknesses. The kind of faults that can fell an otherwise top talent.

Awareness: Smart player. Very rarely fooled by screens or misdirection. Plugs holes, improvises stunts, maintains assignment but able to adjust and adjust correctly. Improves those around him.

Motor: Relentless in pursuit. Willing to chase Dennis Dixon 10 yards though clearly beat. Joins gang tackles. High effort snap to whistle.

First Step: Very good first step, not lightning fast, but enough to consistently gain an advantage. Enough speed to edge rush, but will not consistently challenge the edge.

Frame: Near prototypical build. Good, wide frame, long arms (33 6/8”), good height, high ceiling.

Agility: Smooth fast, moves quickly without “hustling”. Good round and diagonal speed.

Strength: Very powerfully built. Strong legs, strong arms, good core, rarely looks outmatched, rarely washed out of a play.

Hand fighting/Pass Rush Skills: Separates from blockers, doesn’t get “eaten up”. Elusive, moves through and away from garbage. Stays in the play.

Burst: Exploits alleys. When he has a step, explodes to the ball carrier.

Versatility: Played tackle and end.

· Two Gap: Rare pass rushing end that is strong at occupying blockers, holding rushing lanes.

· One Gap: Splits double teams, sheds blockers, gets penetrations and redirects plays. Sometimes gets washed out.

Tackling: Adequate wrap tackler. Doesn’t force many fumbles, but will attempt the strip.

Health: Not that he suffered injuries, only that he seems only marginal at protecting himself in traffic. Takes some spills. Protect your legs, bro.

n/a

Summary: When I think about Jackson, the comparison, somewhat oddly, that keeps coming to mind is Victor Martinez. The catcher. Not because they are anything alike athletically, but because both possess a broad base of above average skills. Jackson isn’t terrifically exciting, somewhat workmanlike really, but he’s very well rounded. Given his athleticism and frame, Jackson could easily develop into a very good run/pass defensive end and situational tackle.

Grade: B+

Good upside/downside.

Good match for the scheme.

Good fit for team needs.

Eminently Unsexy.

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Good take

Here’s a little more:

From the WeAreSC Website: ($ so I can’t link it)

After two fantastic years in 2004 and 2005, Jackson saw his productivity slip in 2006, but came back last season in a big way. He finished the year with 60 tackles, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, tying a school record with four sacks in a game against Arizona State and setting a school record with 5.5 tackles for loss in that same game.
Although the Trojans moved Jackson inside when they dropped an outside linebacker to defensive end occasionally, he isn’t capable of playing there in the NFL and that will likely confine him to teams that run a more traditional 4-3 look defensively. He plays well against the run, but his quickness would be best utilized on the outside.

Scouts say they’d like to see more consistency from Jackson, and the transition to the NFL could be somewhat difficult for him. While his quickness is undeniable, there are some concerns about his overall speed and ability to get around an offensive tackle and to the quarterback. And even though Jackson isn’t ready to move inside right now, he may be asked to add weight and play defensive tackle.

With character counting so much in today’s NFL, Jackson undoubtedly improved his draft stock with his interviews, as teams won’t find a more personable and articulate prospect.

He is a good pick for you guys and I think he will do well.

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Apr 28, 2008 3:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When I saw the highlights

I thought he was the perfect compliment to Tapp

Coach Owens has no bones

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 28, 2008 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm looking for cute

not sexy.

by skijake1 on Apr 28, 2008 3:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just watched the presser on .com...

These guys (Jackson and Carlson) are clearly “Ruskell guys” as far how articulate and level-headed they are. Jackson seems like a great kid who couldn’t be happier about coming to Seattle. Wait ‘til these guys see the completed VMAC, and Qwest Field.

by lemonverbena on Apr 28, 2008 3:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, that was an awesome presser

Jackson was really well-spoken, very smart guy.

Same goes for Carlson, great head on his shoulders, not cocky at all…just wants to play football.

These are two guys who want to win above all. I think that speaks volumes for the type of players Ruskell brings in.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on Apr 28, 2008 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eminently Unsexy

looks like you and LoJack have something in common. Zing!

by Nate Dogg on Apr 28, 2008 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

John, I know you wanted the Hawks to draft a Tackle

what about Shane Olivea? He was releases by the chargers and he’s just 26. He’s had some injury problems, but he could be good insurance for RT if Jones gets hurt and Lock moves to LT.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on Apr 28, 2008 4:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When did this happen?

Thats a move I could get behind, but I’m guessing someone will give him more money than the Hawks could offer.

by Nate Dogg on Apr 28, 2008 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

happened a while back

I thought he’d get a lot of money as well, but ti hasn’t happened yet, so maybe we can get him on the cheap.

FREE JEREMY REED!!

by MFAN on Apr 28, 2008 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't determined how reliable Pro Football Weekly is yet

but they’re saying that OT Jamaal Brown of the Saints is on the trading block? That might be over shooting a tad, but from what little I know about him he’s talented. Anyone know the story on this?

I understand this probably is a pipe dream at best.

by Nate Dogg on Apr 28, 2008 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

what PFW said was that his name was popping up in rumors before the draft; you’ll notice there’s nothing in the article to suggest he’s seriously on the block.

by The Ancient Mariner on Apr 28, 2008 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

pick nits if you like

but is there anything to those rumors? why would those rumors even exist? The only reason I ask is that because it seems so random that there might actually be something to it.

by Nate Dogg on Apr 28, 2008 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not picking nits

merely noting that it’s not about their reliability, because they weren’t reporting anything substantive, simply noting his name had been mentioned; in his case, unlike others in the article, they leave the question “why would those rumors even exist?” unanswered. Given how many times players’ names randomly pop up in rumors for no meaningful reason, the mere fact of the rumor means nothing.

by The Ancient Mariner on Apr 29, 2008 4:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rumors often exist for two reasons.

A lazy writer wishes to create a story that doesn’t exist. See, Shockey, Jeremy. Or because a team is curious about what they can get for a player, just in case someone is willing to sell the farm.

I like Jamaal Brown, but that’s not really what Seattle needs. They just need someone that can rescue them from whatever hell would come should two of their 3 tackles go down. Given Jones’ age, Willis’ health and Locklear’s health, that must be considered.

by John Morgan on Apr 29, 2008 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the write-up

The more I read about the pick, the more I like. Not flashy but solid. The type of pick that has the national pundits giving you a C grade on draft day, but then later pointing out that you’re one of the top-5 drafting teams over the past few years.

by jteckmann on Apr 28, 2008 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

NFL Comparison?

Bryce Fisher, except taller?

Chad Brown for the Ring of Honor!

by Big Seahawk Loser on Apr 28, 2008 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bryce Fisher, only taller and a better football player..

I love this pick.. Give me heart, brains, determination and a will too succeed and I’ll give you a dollar! No really, I need all that shit.. Give it up..

That press conference really put our first two rounds over the top with me.. I grade our entire draft an A.. We got the top two guys we targeted in the first and second – and got three players who are ranked #1 at their respective positions in the later rounds.. What’s not to love? It’s like a hot girl in jean shorts with duct tape over her obnoxious mouth.. Was that sexist? Sorry.. It was only a joke.. a really bad one.. I turn women off.. Thank god for chloroform and an international sex trade market..

by BS! on Apr 28, 2008 8:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs