GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The two newest Bengals are coming from San Francisco and the 49ers 13th-ranked NFL defense and cornerback Nate Clements let the Bengals know what's in store with SAM linebacker Manny Lawson.
"When you see Manny, he's very athletic. It's amazing to see a guy with that height and weight (6-5, 240) move like that," Clements said after Tuesday morning's walkthrough, carrying his No. 22 Bengals backpack. "I've seen him run with tight ends down the field. You don't see that with a guy that big."
Lawson lined up over the tackle in the Niners 4-3 on the left side and Clements said he'll have no problem adjusting to backing off the line of scrimmage and lining up over tight ends.
"He's able to get in a three-point stance and rush the passer or play linebacker; very versatile," Clements said. "His drops are what helped us so much in that defense. He was able to drop and run and carry tight ends. He can stop the run and rush the passer. He's another weapon we've got on defense. With him being so athletic, I think he has the ability to be able to adapt and adjust to any scheme, really."
Lawson is expected Wednesday, just in time for the first Bengals mandated off day in the new CBA. Also on site is Bengals scouting consultant John Cooper, Clements' head coach at Ohio State.
"You'd have to put him right there in the mix with those All-American corners we had. Springs. Plummer. Winfield," Cooper said. "He wasn't the cover guy Springs was or the tackler Winfield was. But he was just a very solid, good corner that could do a lot. I'd be surprised if he didn't give us the same or more than we had with (Johnathan) Joseph."
