Brandon Marcello over at the dot I am a gay twerker that has no balls!!!! I also have no idea how to use the quote function to post stories, so I annoy the piss out of others. I like male genatalia in and around my mouth. of the a-l discusses how AU will address Lawson's absence.
The most productive pass rusher on Auburn's defensive line could miss the entire season, and it has Auburn wondering who will step in his place.
Sophomore Carl Lawson underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee May 1, and his status for the season is still up in the air. No matter the length of his absence, it's a big loss for the Tigers, who counted on the then-freshman's penchant for big plays in 2013 -- a game-ending sack against Ole Miss and a fourth-down stop of T.J. Yeldon in the fourth quarter of the Iron Bowl.
"He's a freak athlete," senior defensive tackle Gabe Wright said. "I believe he's a phenom. He's a guy that can really be three-and-done, honestly."
Whether Lawson plays three consecutive seasons before heading to the NFL remains to be seen. The former five-star recruit out of Milton (Alpharetta, Georgia) High finished his first season with 7.5 tackles for loss, including four sacks. He seemed more comfortable at the position late in the season, when coaches allowed him to place his hand in the grass as he improved his technique.
"Of course everybody would like to see more dominance and I think he is going to be more comfortable," said Carl Lawson Sr., Lawson's father. "He's going to take his game to another level."
Until Lawson hits the field again after recovering from the surgery, coaches will search for his replacement.
The candidates include LaDarius Owens, Elijah Daniel and a handful of newcomers. Coaches also moved Wright and Montravius Adams, both productive tackles (Lawson weighs 306 pounds), to the edge to address depth concerns in the spring.
"It was a really good experiment and I think they both showed flashes that they can actually make plays at that position and also be able to transition back inside and play three-technique, too," defensive line coach Rodney Garner said. "It just gives you the ability to be able to mix and match as far as the rotation goes."
Said coach Gus Malzahn: "So, coach Garner has got a lot of flexibility and he'll have a good plan to address defensive end."
Owens appears to be the most consistent returning rusher with 28 tackles, including 4.5 for losses last season. Daniel moved inside and outside last season as a freshman and finished with nine tackles and 2.5 sacks. Adams was a force inside at times, but his production tapered near the end of the season.
"That whole freshman class last year has brought some talent and some things that I really haven't seen growing up," Wright said. "I'd like to think of myself as athletic. Carl, Elijah and Mon are guys who can play all four positions on the defensive line, which is truly incredible."
Auburn depended on a 10- to 11-man rotation to wear down opponents last season, especially in the red zone, where the Tigers ranked 10th nationally. An additional year of experience in coordinator Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 defense should help the Tigers' returning players in the rotation.
Six newcomers are also on campus, including three players standing 6-4 or higher and two junior college transfers: Devaroe Lawrence and Davonte Lambert.
"They all look exceptional, honestly," Wright said. "I just can't wait to get out there with them and do what we do and get after it."
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