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Lamur has a grand total of 42 career snaps.  
 
 
 
I believe in Lamur because of what the coaches are saying, but not because of anything he's shown on the field, because he hasn't.

Why does the post above say 136?

Or does that include preseason?
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The Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff are expecting big things from Emmanuel Lamur, who was an undrafted free agent out of the same class that saw the team acquire Vontaze Burfict.

 

Early during training camp in 2012, this undrafted linebacker was slowly becoming the apple to Marvin Lewis' eye. Physically gifted with a body that's not unlike an undersized Brian Urlacher or an oversized Kam Chancellor, this rookie had enough talent to play linebacker and double as a safety in spot duty. One had to wonder if Cincinnati's walkabout to find their coverage linebacker had finally concluded.

If Vontaze Burfict is Marvin Lewis' next incarnation of Rey Lewis, then linebacker Emmanuel Lamur supplements the relatively few weaknesses in Burfict's tank-sized armor. Cincinnati's coaching staff, specifically Lewis and former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer transformed the red flags that plagued everyone's perception about Burfict (most of it earned) into a passionate leader that players now follow. In the meantime, Lamur, who was signed 12 days after Burfict following the 2012 NFL draft, was praised from the moment he joined the team.

 

"He's what they're supposed to look like," Lewis said of Lamur during the first week of training camp in 2012. "He's doing a good job on the field mentally. That's what you like about him. Linebackers that develop in the NFL have that kind of stature. They can turn into that 6-3, 250-pound guy that can really run. He can run and understand ... he's a great prospect."

Unfortunately, numbers and Burfict's understandable rise to stardom, held Lamur off the team's 53-man roster when Cincinnati opened in Baltimore that year. It was a momentary set-back. A few months on the team's practice squad eventually gave way to Lamur's eventual promotion to varsity. Despite only playing nine games that season, he finished fifth on the team in special teams tackles (again, in only half a season).

Expected to be a significant role player as the team's hybrid roamer, doubling as a defensive back/linebacker, Lamur suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during the final preseason game in '13. The Indianapolis Colts conceded the possession, calling Donald Brown on third-and-11, picking up two yards. Everyone celebrated holding the Colts to a fourth down, forcing Indianapolis to punt with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Not everyone.

Lamur took his time standing up but then the training staff jogged onto the field and Lamur dropped again. Lamur awkwardly tackled Brown, hearing a pop as he landed on the surface. The cart rolled onto the field to picked up Lamur, who was visibly upset.

This hasn't stopped the growing expectations coming out of Cincinnati's locker room. Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther still envisions a coverage defense with Burfict and Lamur pairing up during passing downs.

"He’s got good ball awareness in zone and he’s a good man-to-man guy," Guenther says of Lamur via Bengals.com. "He’s a guy you like to go to with everyone playing two tight ends. He’s tall and he can run with those guys and you don’t get caught in a mismatch. He can help you in a lot of different ways. He’s smart. He knows the defense and the techniques."

According to Bengals.com, Lamur will be "cleared in time for the April 21 start of offseason workouts". In addition to proving that he's ready to return, a significant chip is weighing down Lamur's rehabilitated shoulder.

"I want to prove I can play this game each and every down and also be a special-teamer at the same time," Lamur says. "I want to be different. I want to break that trend that says you can’t play special teams and play every down."

That's the thing about Lamur. If he's ready to go then Taylor Mays, who replaced Lamur during the regular season last year, is expendable. This only continues a year-long pattern of next-man-up. It was Mays that admirably stepped up for Lamur. Now the latter will do again for the former, who will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent.

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actually, you know what, maybe the 136 is right.  The 42 I was thinking of was Kirkpatrick's 2012 snaps, not Lamur's 2012 snaps.  And if I recall, a great deal of them came in the Texans playoff game.

 

 

 

136 or 42 though, Lamur hasn't proven anything on the field yet.  We can only go by how much the coaches have been impressed with him in practice.

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actually, you know what, maybe the 136 is right.  The 42 I was thinking of was Kirkpatrick's 2012 snaps, not Lamur's 2012 snaps.

 

 

 

136 or 42 though, Lamur hasn't proven anything on the field yet.  We can only go by how much the coaches have been impressed with him in practice.

Sure he has. Just stop it. Repeating yourself over and over doesn't make it true. No one is saying he's pro bowl material or even a starter. The dude was a tryout undrafted player and saw playing time in the NFL. A tryout player. Yeah he has proved plenty !

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Sure he has. Just stop it. Repeating yourself over and over doesn't make it true. No one is saying he's pro bowl material or even a starter. The dude was a tryout undrafted player and saw playing time in the NFL. A tryout player. Yeah he has proved plenty !

 

 

so that makes him a proven quality player?

 

 

:facepalm:

 

 

 

 

The coaches know what they have in Lamur.  Us fans, we've seen no on-field proof yet.

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Disagree with the article that Lamur makes Mays expendable.  Mays turned into a quality player for the role they found him before his injury.  I'd feel vulnerable without another LB/S hybrid to backup Lamur in the nickel packages.



Agreed. Mays showed well in the nickel before his injury. He did surprisingly well with a shifty guy like Randall Cobb.


And maybe most importantly, his ability to back up two positions can save you a roster spot that can get you say a 6th corner, 3rd QB or a return specialist on the roster.
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The Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff are expecting big things from Emmanuel Lamur, who was an undrafted free agent out of the same class that saw the team acquire Vontaze Burfict.

 

Early during training camp in 2012, this undrafted linebacker was slowly becoming the apple to Marvin Lewis' eye. Physically gifted with a body that's not unlike an undersized Brian Urlacher or an oversized Kam Chancellor, this rookie had enough talent to play linebacker and double as a safety in spot duty. One had to wonder if Cincinnati's walkabout to find their coverage linebacker had finally concluded.

If Vontaze Burfict is Marvin Lewis' next incarnation of Rey Lewis, then linebacker Emmanuel Lamur supplements the relatively few weaknesses in Burfict's tank-sized armor. Cincinnati's coaching staff, specifically Lewis and former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer transformed the red flags that plagued everyone's perception about Burfict (most of it earned) into a passionate leader that players now follow. In the meantime, Lamur, who was signed 12 days after Burfict following the 2012 NFL draft, was praised from the moment he joined the team.

 

"He's what they're supposed to look like," Lewis said of Lamur during the first week of training camp in 2012. "He's doing a good job on the field mentally. That's what you like about him. Linebackers that develop in the NFL have that kind of stature. They can turn into that 6-3, 250-pound guy that can really run. He can run and understand ... he's a great prospect."

Unfortunately, numbers and Burfict's understandable rise to stardom, held Lamur off the team's 53-man roster when Cincinnati opened in Baltimore that year. It was a momentary set-back. A few months on the team's practice squad eventually gave way to Lamur's eventual promotion to varsity. Despite only playing nine games that season, he finished fifth on the team in special teams tackles (again, in only half a season).

Expected to be a significant role player as the team's hybrid roamer, doubling as a defensive back/linebacker, Lamur suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during the final preseason game in '13. The Indianapolis Colts conceded the possession, calling Donald Brown on third-and-11, picking up two yards. Everyone celebrated holding the Colts to a fourth down, forcing Indianapolis to punt with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Not everyone.

Lamur took his time standing up but then the training staff jogged onto the field and Lamur dropped again. Lamur awkwardly tackled Brown, hearing a pop as he landed on the surface. The cart rolled onto the field to picked up Lamur, who was visibly upset.

This hasn't stopped the growing expectations coming out of Cincinnati's locker room. Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther still envisions a coverage defense with Burfict and Lamur pairing up during passing downs.

"He’s got good ball awareness in zone and he’s a good man-to-man guy," Guenther says of Lamur via Bengals.com. "He’s a guy you like to go to with everyone playing two tight ends. He’s tall and he can run with those guys and you don’t get caught in a mismatch. He can help you in a lot of different ways. He’s smart. He knows the defense and the techniques."

According to Bengals.com, Lamur will be "cleared in time for the April 21 start of offseason workouts". In addition to proving that he's ready to return, a significant chip is weighing down Lamur's rehabilitated shoulder.

"I want to prove I can play this game each and every down and also be a special-teamer at the same time," Lamur says. "I want to be different. I want to break that trend that says you can’t play special teams and play every down."

That's the thing about Lamur. If he's ready to go then Taylor Mays, who replaced Lamur during the regular season last year, is expendable. This only continues a year-long pattern of next-man-up. It was Mays that admirably stepped up for Lamur. Now the latter will do again for the former, who will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent.

 

 

You gon learn today!  Actually, next year.....but Lamur's going to be a badass.   Can't wait to see him play.   I'm down with the Lamur bandwagon bubba! 

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Agreed. Mays showed well in the nickel before his injury. He did surprisingly well with a shifty guy like Randall Cobb.


And maybe most importantly, his ability to back up two positions can save you a roster spot that can get you say a 6th corner, 3rd QB or a return specialist on the roster.

 

We have so much versatility with our nickel guys that it should help out the roster all round. A guy like Porter can be on the roster and just be a developmental guy which is awesome.

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Ted Ginn is supposed to hit the market.  I think we had interest the last time he did.  At the least, he could give some WR snaps as well as being a KR/PR.

Has Hester been discussed?

 

Surprises me about Ginn. Is he a FA? He was working more into the offense last season.

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so that makes him a proven quality player?

 

 

:facepalm:

 

 

 

 

The coaches know what they have in Lamur.  Us fans, we've seen no on-field proof yet.

A tryout player who earns snaps as a rookie. Does well so he gets more snaps. And plays well enough the coaches have bigger plans for him. Yeah he's proved he's earned more snaps on the field.

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Disagree with the article that Lamur makes Mays expendable.  Mays turned into a quality player for the role they found him before his injury.  I'd feel vulnerable without another LB/S hybrid to backup Lamur in the nickel packages.

I agree

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not sure.  They are probably including special teams snaps.  Regardless of what it is, lamur hasn't shown anything on the field yet.  We only have what the coaches are telling us.


He played plenty in 2012 and looked good doing it...not sure how you can say he hasn't shown anything...

I'm not saying he has a long track record of success, but he absolutely looked like he belonged as a rookie.

He even earned the starting nod in the playoffs if I remember correctly.
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He played plenty in 2012 and looked good doing it...not sure how you can say he hasn't shown anything...

I'm not saying he has a long track record of success, but he absolutely looked like he belonged as a rookie.

He even earned the starting nod in the playoffs if I remember correctly.

 

 

come on now.  He played 136 snaps.  That's less than 3 full games of snaps for his career.  He hasn't "played plenty".  

 

 

We all have high hopes from him, but lets stop pretending he's proven anything.

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Disagree with the article that Lamur makes Mays expendable.  Mays turned into a quality player for the role they found him before his injury.  I'd feel vulnerable without another LB/S hybrid to backup Lamur in the nickel packages.


Weren't you a big Sean Porter guy last offseason?

Apologies if not, but I thought you were a big supporter of his and really lived that draft choice.

If he is going to stick in the NFL at 220 pounds or whatever, he is going to have to do so as a coverage specialist also.

I could take or leave Mays. If we can keep Rey and have Lamur, Porter, DiManche and whoever we draft this year, that is plenty of talent and depth at backup LB. As far as Safety, I'd rather just draft a true Safety to be the #4 behind Nelson, Iloka and Williams.
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come on now.  He played 136 snaps.  That's less than 3 full games of snaps for his career.  He hasn't "played plenty".  
 
 
We all have high hopes from him, but lets stop pretending he's proven anything.


Who said he has proven anything? Certainly not me.

I said he "flashed" in limited playing time. You said he hadn't shown "anything" on the field. I disagree with you because he has shown something on the field by making plays in his limited opportunities.

136 snaps is a decent amount of important 3rd down plays and an okay sized sample to at least get a feel for what a guy is capable of. I also went to multiple training camp practices last year and he just seemed to glide around the field and looked like the most athletic LB on the team by a decent margin.

I've seen enough, with my own eyes, to be excited about his future and I think he has a chance to be a very good starter when he gets the opportunity, perhaps as early as this season.
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Weren't you a big Sean Porter guy last offseason?

Apologies if not, but I thought you were a big supporter of his and really lived that draft choice.

If he is going to stick in the NFL at 220 pounds or whatever, he is going to have to do so as a coverage specialist also.

I could take or leave Mays. If we can keep Rey and have Lamur, Porter, DiManche and whoever we draft this year, that is plenty of talent and depth at backup LB. As far as Safety, I'd rather just draft a true Safety to be the #4 behind Nelson, Iloka and Williams.

 

Jamie Collins was the OLB I was going nuts for (mocked him in the second).  But I did like Porter, I was happy we got him when we did.  It took me only one pre-season game though to see that Jayson Dimance was a starved man waiting to eat his lunch (most of my pre-season posts about Porter concerned that, and the very real likelihood that I didn't see him making the team - which I'm convinced he would not have had he stayed healthy).  I'm hoping he was injured or something, but he looked tentative and slow versus his college tape (admittedly, most of which had him rushing the QB IIRC).

 

Either way, I would have thought of Porter for the SLB spot.  I would have thought the same for Dimanche, given his insane first step and bend around the edge, but much of the chatter has been about him backing up WLB, which I'm curious about, and can only imagine has something to do with his lack of relative size.

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Has Hester been discussed?

 

Surprises me about Ginn. Is he a FA? He was working more into the offense last season.

Ginn is a free agent. So is Jacoby Jones. So there are options to upgrade from Tate and get a player who can contribute more on offense. It would be nice to have a guy on the field in 4 or 5 receiver sets who could keep the safeties back and open space for receivers underneath. Or get deep and take double coverage with them or force a defender to give them half the field in deep coverage.

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Just twitter rumors at this point, but there are some reports indicating that multiple teams are going hard after MJ and that he is going to get a huge contract.

Not hard to believe given his age, position, production and the $130M cap.

At this point, it seems like he is either going to leave or we are going to have to pay HUGE to keep him, neither of which sound like great options.
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What does everyone guess MJ will get per year?

I am going to guess 12m a year. Something like 5 years, $60M.

With the cap going up a bunch, I would be okay with the bengals paying something like that, but would also be fine with them deciding to pass if bidding goes up above $10M a year.
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What does everyone guess MJ will get per year?

I am going to guess 12m a year. Something like 5 years, $60M.

With the cap going up a bunch, I would be okay with the bengals paying something like that, but would also be fine with them deciding to pass if bidding goes up above $10M a year.

I think you are about right. He will get a huge contract. Rare athletes always get big deals. Should have franchised the man.

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I won't shed a single tear if we lose him to teams who are willing to overpay him.  It happens every year in FA, and year and year out we've consistently made the right choice to stay away from the bidding wars. There are hundreds of cases of mega-deals that were busts, with only a handful that worked out the other way. You like to keep your own when you can, but not when it comes at the price of the long-term success of your franchise, and for MJ I'd put his ceiling/worth at around $8M, maybe $8.5 tops. 

 

At this point, it seems like he is either going to leave or we are going to have to pay HUGE to keep him, neither of which sound like great options.

 

Not much new there.  In fact, we all knew this moment would come once he took the tag and Dunlap took his deal last year.  We can take solace in knowing that we ended up with the better player -- AND the better deal.  And let's not forget who else we have on this team, who deserves every penny he gets - along with the majority of MJ's sack stats.

 

The only question now is, who's the next Wallace Gilberry? Or better yet, who's the next 3rd round pick we get argue about whether or not we want to keep in 4 or 5 years?

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