Manny sets the edge VERY well, and he and Sopoaga typically make Willis and TKO very happy fellas. I'll throw Franklin in there too, for the most part. Where we struggle... and this can be argued with ability vs discipline... is on the Justin Smith and WOLB area more times than not. Sometimes, it is a matter of Justin +/or Haralson/Brooks/LaBoy not staying gap disciplined in their pursuit of the QB. (same goes for awareness on murderous screen passes to that side)
Manny is quick when committed to blitz, and he runs the arc as well as anyone. Unfortunately, opposing QBs tend to have more pocket availability than we tend to... so QBs can just step inside nice and cozy and make Lawson's attempts less than successful on paper. Justin Smith and RayMac can sometimes get penetration, but sometimes it's at an angle where the QB can step in and away from anyway. The blitzing ILBs can often get penetration inside, but we don't send them all that often to begin with. Not often do we collapse the interior pocket enough to make our OLBs have an easier time at the end of their arc. Add to that the CB cushions, and you will see many QBs pass the ball to their 1st/2nd read in 3 seconds. That will also take away from a pass rush. When we are not in huge CB cushions, our CBs play off-coverage anyway, and just turn and run with receivers. This also doesn't help us on those deeper completions, as it gives receivers free reign to put the nasty double moves on our aggressive minded DBs.
Anyway, bottom-line: Is Manny a great pass rusher? No, I can't say that he is. Is he a good pass rusher that can get even better with both personal improvement + scheme improvement? Absolutely.
Was it clear whatsoever that Fangio dislikes what Manny has to offer? NO.
When an article gets interpreted by a 2nd party in this way, is it clear and accurate? NO.
When Fangio is quoted about concerns over the pass rush, is that a direct indictment on the pass rushers or even an individual rusher? NO.
Meaning, there are more ways than just one to improve your pass rush. If Fangio dislikes our pass rush, maybe just maybe it's not all of the personnel or a specific and unnamed player that he disapproves of... maybe it's scheme and player utilization. MAYBE.
From PFF:
Quote:
QB Disruption Points = Sacks + Hits (0.75) + Pressures (0.75)
Then, to arrive at a score that measures productivity per rush, it’s simple: Pass-Rushing Productivity = QB Disruptions Points / Number of Pass Rushes x 100.
The Overall Top 10
POS Team Name Rushes PRP
LB San Francisco 49ers Manny Lawson 111 16.7
LB Kansas City Chiefs Tamba Hali 306 15.8
LB San Francisco 49ers Travis LaBoy 120 15
LB Green Bay Packers Clay Matthews 242 14.5
DE Atlanta Falcons John Abraham 218 14.3
DE Seattle Seahawks Chris Clemons 297 14.1
DE Minnesota Vikings Ray Edwards 277 13.9
LB Cleveland Browns Marcus Benard 129 13.8
LB Pittsburgh Steelers LaMarr Woodley 236 13.6
DE St Louis Rams Chris Long 333 13.3
