Meet A New Atlanta Falcon: DE Lawrence Sidbury

by Dave Choate on May 20, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Editorial

Lawrence Sidbury has begun his career with nearly universal praise, which is pretty darn good for a guy who has yet to play a game.

As a defensive end who could probably also handle linebacker, runs a great 40 and can bench press your couch a couple dozen times, Sidbury has drawn raves from draft gurus and beer-swilling troglodytes such as myself. It appears to be rich(mond)ly deserved so far, but what will Sidbury provide for the Falcons in his freshman campaign?

Join me after the jump to find out!

History: An Honor Roll student at Richmond who also dabbled in track-and-field. Against Montana in the FCS title game to end his college career, Sidbury managed four sacks and what I can only assume is a severe ego deflation for Montana. Is well-known as a bright kid (sensing a pattern with these draft picks yet?) who is always moving.

Pros: Has the frame to play defensive end and the room to add some bulk if need be. His burst of speed off the edge is incredibly quick and can catch a sluggish lineman off guard. Very aware of his surroundings and gladly jumps in when his help is needed. Changes direction well and springs off of blocks to try to make the play. Great work habits and by all accounts a good teammate. Overall, an excellent athlete, a smart player and someone who is going to work his tail off to get better.

Cons: Scouts don't think he has the ideal height and size to play defensive end in a 4-3, but nertz to them. Occasionally forgets to wrap up on his tackles and lets an alert running back get away from him.

Role: Sidbury is likely to push for snaps almost immediately. He's an impact player off the edge who seems equally adept against the pass and the rush, so it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine him spelling Chauncey Davis and John Abraham in his first year. If Davis and Jamaal Anderson falter on their side of the line, Sidbury could get a legitimate chance to start.

Final Thoughts: I really thought the Falcons made a lot of quality picks in this draft, but Sidbury may end up being the best of them all. He simply doesn't have many weaknesses, and barring injuries nothing's going to stop him from getting better than he is right now. I envision a bright future for this guy, potentially as the heir apparent to John Abraham.

Poll

What will Lawrence Sidbury offer in 2009?

Starts

108 votes

Fits and starts

341 votes

Practice squarts

20 votes

Starts for another team

2 votes

Something that doesn't involve the world start

44 votes

515 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

This pick was TD looking ahead...

I love his talent, and he’ll see the field. The real plan for this kid is to take the WDE spot in about 2 years. No need to rush him in, let him learn from the man first…

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on May 20, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Sidbury

I actually go to University of Richmond, and Sidbury has been stellar there. While he was completely dominant in the FCS championship game, he also managed to keep Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State under control and force him to throw 5 picks, which was 2 more than he had thrown the whole year.

I can see him in a similar role as Hightower was to the Cardinals: a situational player who makes a big impact. As has been noted, he does not have all the skills to stop the run, so putting him in on passing situations would probably be best course.

Did those of you who went to the mini-camps notice if he looked solid in practice?

by MostlyCorndog on May 20, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

I got to GSU and Edwards threw some INT (S?)

against us as well. Ya’ll had a great team…

Looking forward to this guy on the field…. potential R US…

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on May 20, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

LB?

With Sidburys speed and limitations of playing DE against the run game, is there any serious prospect of moving him to OLB, or is that just idle chatter, and he is only seriously being considered for DE?

by Michael not vick if you please on May 20, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

Actaully with his speed and power he might be a great OLB, Demarcus Ware form the cowboys was a DE in collage they made him OLB in the NFL and hes been soo dominenet.. I would like to see Jamaal Anderson become succesfull with Abe on the other side then have sidburry play OLB, but if Anderson doesnt cut it, then im almost posistive they would stick SID in DE on the other side of Abe, which i think it would be great as well..

by MTB33 on May 20, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

Ware

The main difference, I would argue, is that Ware plays the rush end in a 3-4 not in a 4-3.

"If you can’t get excited for Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, you’re either a robot or clinically dead. Or you’re a zombie robot, which is just plain awesome."
Dave the Falconer

by Pregame with Pabst on May 20, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm a moron.

danielduello said the same thing as me, but better bellow.

"If you can’t get excited for Ryan throwing to Gonzalez, you’re either a robot or clinically dead. Or you’re a zombie robot, which is just plain awesome."
Dave the Falconer

by Pregame with Pabst on May 20, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Passing Downs

I saw we let him follow the career path of one Robert Mathis. Small school DE who everyone deemed too small to play DE in the NFL. Let him come off the edge on obvious passing downs opposite Abraham his first year. Pull out Anderson and his lack of pass rush on third-and-long, and put in Sidbury. During practice let him learn about playing the run.
The worst thing to do is to try and make him a LB. His best attribute is his pass-rushing ability, and moving him to 4-3 LB will neutralize his best skill and make it so he only rushes the passer on a blitz.
The only reason players like Ware and Merriman were able to make the transition to LB is because they were playing in a 3-4 defense where the OLB blitz the majority of the time. He only has to occasionally drop back into coverage. Therefore if we’re going to stay in the 4-3, Sidbury should start out as a situational pass rusher and learn the ropes as he gets experience.

by danielduello on May 20, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Chauncey Davis will be playing opposite of Abraham...

If Sidbury comes in, it’ll be to give Abraham a break…

"We're not maxed out, ... The best is still ahead of us."

Bobby Bowden

by NaGaNole on May 20, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

I think I disagree

I’m pretty sure that Jamaal Anderson will still be starting opposite of Abe. Sidbury will be a situational pass rusher (3rd and longs) and Chauncy Davis will get to start to compete with Jamaal Anderson after he continues to fail to perform (though I really hope that Jamaal Anderson surprises all of us this season) – I mean… even so… Anderson, though not putting up fantastic sack numbers, has been one of our more formidable players against the run.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on May 20, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

You're both right

JA86 might be the official “starter” on game day (gotta save face somehow), but Davis will get his reps. We’re looking at a platoon IMO …

Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?

Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.

by FrankyWren on May 20, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

As someone who followed Richmond over the last year...

…(a kid from my high school plays there), I have to say I was impressed with Sidbury. As most of you have echoed already, he could definitely make an impact for you guys as a situational pass rusher.

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by The Bull Gator on May 21, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

I think adventually Sidbury will start other side of Abe… although i really am hoping that Anderson can prove everybody that hes good..

by MTB33 on May 21, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

Ok...

So We wasted a first-rounder on JA, We re-signed Chauncey and we have Abe, and now another sick pass-rusher…
What are we going to do with two beast DE’s one mediocre one and a bust?(Yeah, I said it)

by FlyYouFalcons on May 25, 2009 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

we are

going to give JA one more chance – his third year to make or break his career with the falcons. Davis is going to be competing with him assumably non-stop for that position throughout the season.

Sidburry will be a situational rusher and probably start working his way in as Abraham’s future replacement.

Well, these are my predictions anyways.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on May 25, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions