Falcons Like Sidbury’s Athleticism

The Falcons selected Richmond defensive end Lawrence Sidbury Jr. in the fourth round of the NFL Draft Sunday, picking up a player that can be an immediate threat as a pass rusher.

Director of Player Personnel Les Snead said Sidbury had the fastest “10″ time at the Combine (the time it takes to run 10 yards in the 40-yard dash). That’s a sign of explosiveness and an ability to attack quarterbacks and running backs near the line of scrimmage.

He was also the leader among defensive linemen in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.64 seconds.

Sidbury, 6-foot-2, 266 lbs., also led Richmond to a national championship in 2008. He finished with 11.5 sacks.

It was while watching highlights of that game on a road trip that some Falcons coaches took a closer look.

“What we’re banking on is trying to get a young player who is from a smaller level competition to pass rush off the edge,” Snead said.

“If you think about it not many people, especially defensive linemen will run a 40-yard dash. They have to be really fast within that 10 yards. They’re 10 yards from the QB; they’re 10 yards from the hashes when they’re running running backs down.”

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25 Comments

  1. Blizz300
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 2:30 pm | Permalink

    this is a nice pick up
    id rather see him than Jamal Anderson who hasnt been much of a threat
    good compliment for Abraham

  2. JonP17
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 3:14 pm | Permalink

    the predator gets some help

  3. dashawn
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 3:19 pm | Permalink

    FINALLY..ANDERSON SUCK #55 GET HELP LETS GO FALCONS

  4. Chuck
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 3:25 pm | Permalink

    Anderson now moves inside where he will be better at stopping the run anyway.
    Our Defensive line will now be insanely fast.
    Good Pick.

    TRUST THE MAD RUSSIAN !!!!

    (I don’t know if Dimitroff is a Russian name or not, but
    it’s a cool saying, keep it going. :)

  5. Sami Michael
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 3:31 pm | Permalink

    I love this pick. And let’s face it, we’re in safe hands with TD and Smitty at the helm.

    Arthur Blank, you deserve this.

  6. bb
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 4:15 pm | Permalink

    Dimitroff

    Name Meaning and History
    Bulgarian and Macedonian:

  7. Mike
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 4:24 pm | Permalink

    Wow I am so happy with the Falcons and all these picks. Another force in the defensive line… oh god i can’t wait till’ this season starts!

  8. don
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 5:04 pm | Permalink

    good pick, i love that we got so many d-line in the draft should be able to keep everybody fresh

  9. Submariner683
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 5:26 pm | Permalink

    I like this pick. A lot of upside with this pick.

  10. balzyfalcon
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 5:27 pm | Permalink

    watch out for that D line this year, thats all I have to say. O yeah GO DIRTYBIRDS!!

  11. Dirtybird315
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 8:19 pm | Permalink

    O Yeah,,,,,,this guy reminds me of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila form the packers a few yrs back….if nothin elkse let andersom play on run downs because he is solid against the run if nothin else and let The Spider(SIDBURY) go get the qb

  12. beanazl4000
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 9:12 pm | Permalink

    Awesome pick. I really like this guy. Other than playing at a small school, this kid is a beast. He replace Anderson on pass rushing downs and will compliment Abraham and Jerry. Great pick up

  13. Marcelino008
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 9:53 pm | Permalink

    I love all the pick. I can not wait to start the season.

  14. Marcelino008
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 9:55 pm | Permalink

    I think that we will be better at defensive this year. I like the new TE coming to Atlanta. GO FALCONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  15. cdog2
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 10:32 pm | Permalink

    has the season started yet? lets get it on!

  16. dylpbm
    Posted April 26, 2009 at 11:10 pm | Permalink

    This is a great pick in the 4th rd with Lawrence Sidbury Jr. bye bye jamal anderson.

  17. Posted April 26, 2009 at 11:55 pm | Permalink

    I told people I wanted this guy. He has a mean streak and will realize early that your bread is buttered with sacks. I hope Sid see this as not only an opportunity to make a good living for himself, but if he does what he does best-tackle well. But he may push Jamal Anderson to be a fighter on the field. Advise for our scout team. Check out players from 2008 MEAC champs SC State in Octavious Darby-TE, Cedric Lloyd-DL, and Phillip Morris-WR, Raymond Harrison-C/LS. Octavious Darby is a good tight end- 6TDs this year. He could learn a lot from Tony G. And listen to this name next year-WILL FORD-RB from SC State. He is the next L. Tomlinson or Chris Johnson.

  18. JJ
    Posted April 27, 2009 at 12:21 am | Permalink

    This kid looks like a hell of a pass rusher. Cant hurt the Abraham none.

  19. FalconFan
    Posted April 27, 2009 at 9:19 am | Permalink

    Let’s go FALCONS! Pretty awsome picks… I Can’t Wait! I am not always pleased… But I and always a FAN!

  20. cgs
    Posted April 27, 2009 at 9:50 am | Permalink

    love this pick

  21. Mike B
    Posted April 28, 2009 at 8:43 pm | Permalink

    Sid will surprise you, very fast, and a killer instinct in getting to the QB.

  22. Posted April 29, 2009 at 11:12 am | Permalink

    Excellent pickup that has not only the athleticism but hunger and drive to excel. Let’s open mini-camp today!

  23. rebecca lindsey
    Posted May 4, 2009 at 10:23 am | Permalink

    why is it that he NFL do not give the players at the small black colleges a chance in the NFL teams

  24. Posted May 28, 2009 at 7:09 am | Permalink

    falcons suck. but he went to oxon hill so go him….

    go dallas cowboys!!!!!

  25. A. Frederick
    Posted August 22, 2009 at 8:07 pm | Permalink

    I taught Lawrence at Oxon Hill High School. So proud of my boy.