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.”
MORE ON LAWRENCE SIDBURY:
- DRAFTGUYS: Analysis of Sidbury at the Senior Bowl
- AJC: Falcons take Richmond standout in fourth round
- HIGHLIGHTS: Sidbury’s national championship game
- YOUTUBE: Sidbury working in the weight room
- NEWS: Falcons select UR’s Sidbury (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- PHOTOS: Images of the Falcons newest defensive end
- FORUMS: Talk about the selection with other fans
- SNEAD: Director of Player Personnel discusses Sidbury selection
- NEWS: It’s all adding up for Sidbury (The Washington Post)
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25 Comments
this is a nice pick up
id rather see him than Jamal Anderson who hasnt been much of a threat
good compliment for Abraham
the predator gets some help
FINALLY..ANDERSON SUCK #55 GET HELP LETS GO FALCONS
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.
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.
Dimitroff
Name Meaning and History
Bulgarian and Macedonian:
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!
good pick, i love that we got so many d-line in the draft should be able to keep everybody fresh
I like this pick. A lot of upside with this pick.
watch out for that D line this year, thats all I have to say. O yeah GO DIRTYBIRDS!!
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
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
I love all the pick. I can not wait to start the season.
I think that we will be better at defensive this year. I like the new TE coming to Atlanta. GO FALCONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
has the season started yet? lets get it on!
This is a great pick in the 4th rd with Lawrence Sidbury Jr. bye bye jamal anderson.
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.
This kid looks like a hell of a pass rusher. Cant hurt the Abraham none.
Let’s go FALCONS! Pretty awsome picks… I Can’t Wait! I am not always pleased… But I and always a FAN!
love this pick
Sid will surprise you, very fast, and a killer instinct in getting to the QB.
Excellent pickup that has not only the athleticism but hunger and drive to excel. Let’s open mini-camp today!
why is it that he NFL do not give the players at the small black colleges a chance in the NFL teams
falcons suck. but he went to oxon hill so go him….
go dallas cowboys!!!!!
I taught Lawrence at Oxon Hill High School. So proud of my boy.