Jets’ Carl Lawson is unstoppable at training camp

The Jets may soon have to change the training rules to give the offense a 12th player strictly responsible for Carl Lawson’s double-team.

Or maybe get him to count to five Mississippi before he can rush the passer. Or tie a hand behind his back. Anything creative to level the playing field for the starting offense.

If there is a Jets record for sacks in training camp practices, Lawson threatens to shatter it after having three more Tuesdays in 11-11 times to bring his tally to six in two practices this year. week. There were others scattered throughout the first two weeks of camp.

“If you look at the [game] tape, he beats everyone, so it’s no stranger to him to win, ”said coach Robert Saleh. “What’s cool is his work ethic and the way he handles his day-to-day process: he’s relentless with his body. There is an old saying that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, but, this guy, not only is he talented, but he works hard. And because of that, you see results.

The Jets have tried – and failed – to fill holes with free agency in recent years, from cornerback Trumaine Johnson to running back Le’Veon Bell to center Ryan Kalil. They’ve been on the hunt for a good passer even longer, since they traded John Abraham to the Falcons in 2006.

Seen through these prisms, there is reason to be skeptical of Lawson’s $ 45 million three-year contract. But pull him out of the shadows of the other busts and there’s only room for excitement the Jets might have found the defensive equivalent of a franchise quarterback.

“It’s historically difficult [to find] in general, ”Saleh said. “I always argue that for every quarterback you need two great edge rushers. They are hard to find. There are good edge forwards in the league – don’t get me wrong – and there are a lot of good quarterbacks in the league, but those who transcend the game are rare throughout the history of time. Being able to have one in this building like Carl is great.

Here’s a little drop of cold water: Lawson has yet to make a Pro Bowl and has 20 sacks in 51 games over four seasons.

The Bengals showed interest in re-signing Lawson and eventually paid former Saints passer Trey Hendrickson the same average of $ 15 million per year (four years in total) in free agency that the Jets gave. to Lawson. This begs the question: what was Cincinnati’s reluctance to move all-in on Lawson?

“You don’t just hand someone out dollars for gambling,” Saleh said. “There has to be a marriage in terms of philosophy. Every phone call we’ve made, it illustrates what [character] we covet a player, so it’s very easy to hand out big checks to people who represent themselves like him.

Because there is no quarterback tackle in practice, “sacks” are games whistled by officials or when a defender hits the quarterback in a collapsing pocket. Brute strength, long arms and Lawson’s speed create adjustments for left tackle Mekhi Becton.

“Carl is one of the best passers in the NFL and has been for years,” said right tackle George Fant. “I think this situation is great for our offensive line to go against this guy. It’s harder to block in practice than in a game because they start to understand trends, so that prepares you.

Lawson was second in the NFL in quarterback hits (32) last season, although most didn’t translate to end of play, the way TJ Watt’s 41 hits turned into 15 sacks for the Steelers. It’s similar to the narrative surrounding Jets draft pick Leonard Williams, who still rocked the quarterback but didn’t break through until he bagged 11.5 sacks with the Giants in year six. of her career.

“I get sacks, that’s what we all prepare for,” Saleh said, “but when you disrupt the quarterback, you disrupt the game.”