• March 28, 2024

Trevor Laws May Be The Answer As A Third Down Inside Pass Rusher

Defensive tackle Trevor Laws came to training camp with full knowledge of what time it was.  He had to either step up and prove he belonged in the NFL or run the risk of being given his walking papers by the team that drafted him in the second round.

Laws was ready after working relentlessly during the off-season and putting on 20 pounds of solid muscle.  The former Notre Damer got himself in the best shape of his life and arrived on a mission.

So far it’s been mission accomplished by Laws, who has been the best defensive tackle in training camp.  He’s spent most of his time here in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the Eagles offensive backfield.

“If feels good”, Laws commented after yesterday’s morning practice. “People recognize the hard work that you’ve done, but at the same time there’s so far to go. I know every single play. There’s so much that I need to work on, so many things. So, I definitely appreciate it, but I know that there’s a long, long way to go.”

Laws has proven himself to be quicker and stronger than any of the Eagles interior offensive linemen, which is another reason I’m concerned about the interior of the Eagles offensive line.

He’s off the ball at the snap and he does a great job of using his hands to stop the offensvie linmen from holding him.  His offseason work in the weight room has made him more powerful at the point of attack.

His body control seems to have improved greatly which allows him to keep his balance despite being so close to the ground.  The biggest difference in Laws’ game is his drive.  He came into camp with his backup against the wall and that motivation has made him a more determined and relentless pass rusher and run stopper.

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is very pleased with Laws’ improvement.  “He looks good”, McDermott told a group of reporters. “He really does. And it’s a credit to Trevor and [Head Strength & Conditioning] Coach [Barry] Rubin, for what they’ve done this offseason together. I would say he’s added a couple of pounds, and more importantly, some muscle. He seems focused and hungry.”

When asked how Laws can take his game to the next level, the defensive coach responded, “I just want to see consistency. I’ve been impressed with what he’s done so far in camp, but I want to see it over a period of time at this point.”

McDermott will probably work Laws into his rotation of defensive tackles which is a good thing.  He’s currently using him as one of the defensive pass rushers brought in on third down to pressure the quarterback.

A quality inside pass rusher is just what the Birds defensive line needs because it would make the Eagles third down pass rush much better.  Inside pressure would prevent the quarterback from stepping up into the pocket.  This would give defensive ends Trent Cole and Brandon Graham a better shot at getting to the passer from outside.

So far, Laws has been more impressive as an inside pass rusher than veteran defensive end Darryl Tapp and rookie defensive end Daniel Te’o Nesheim, who were brought in here to fulfill that need.

“It’s nice to be in there on third down rushing the passer”, Laws said. “Usually, the last couple of years we always are, [defensive] tackles are on first and second down, so that third down should be very nice. But I get to get in there, use a little bit of my quickness and last year we had a little more [defensive] end types. Hopefully, we get a little bit more push up the middle with a little more size and power in there. So, it’s been working out pretty good so far.”

If he continues to dominate, it will force McDermott to contemplate giving him more time and decreasing the snaps of either Mike Patterson or Brodrick Bunkley or both of them.

GCOBB

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Paul Mancini
Paul Mancini
August 8, 2010 10:31 am

Glad to hear that Laws is having his best camp so far as an Eagle for he needs to step up big time to make this squad which will help the rotational depth along the Def/Line.
On a side note, does it appear that all the DT’s are having very good camps this year…
I wonder if they are playing that well or is it the weaknerss of the middle of the Eagles O/Line that is currently playing for the Eagles, MJG/Cole/Stacey Andrews doesn’t sound like a strong middle…
Time will tell,but the O/Line in it’s present form is probably the weakest in the NFC East right now…

drummerwinslow
drummerwinslow
August 8, 2010 2:28 pm

It seems Laws now understands the great commitment needed to be a pro. Outstanding!

BigE
BigE
August 8, 2010 7:47 pm

When will this understanding come to all the Eagles players especially the interior limeman that Laws
manhandled. Why does it take so long for these players to realize that they must ne in their best shape
and why don’t the Eagles demand this from day one.

BigE
BigE
August 8, 2010 9:31 pm

I have heard this praise for previous interior DL in preseason as to how strong and fast they look. I choose to wait and see in the regular season. Sims constantly hitting his own teammates in non contact drills only indicates to me that he is stupid and will probably be penalty prone in realtime games.

philly22
philly22
August 9, 2010 6:18 am

Could be a pleasant surprise this year for the Birds.

jimmy mac
jimmy mac
August 9, 2010 9:12 am

Outstanding. I was ready to chalk him up as a total loss. Man o man..this O line has me worried to death.

Paul Mancini
Paul Mancini
August 9, 2010 9:41 am

Same here JimmyMac,
I think the Eagles are in touble up front across the O/Line, they are counting on mostly back-up lineman to hold the fort down and then when Herremans/JAckson return after a long layoff, you can’t expect them to get right in sync right away, these first 4-5 weeks (which are very winnable games )
may end up being a real struggle to sustain any consitent offense and score points which will put even more pressure on a young-revamped Defense..

FishFryFrank
FishFryFrank
August 9, 2010 10:12 pm

Laws in a very similar situation to Justice last year. (“Laws” & “Justice” … a natural pairing, eh?)

High draft pick on the verge of being a bust and cut from the team, decides it’s now or never.

Hopefully, Laws season will have a comparable outcome to Justice’s last year. It would be a nice and welcome story.