Clemson Clash: Dexter Lawrence looks to take down Trevor Lawrence

Center Robert Hainsey knows what he is up against.

“He’s a great player,” he said.

Same for running back LeQuint Allen Jr.

“He’s a game wrecker,” he said.

And ditto for right guard Ezra Cleveland.

“He’s a blend of everything,” he said.

“He” and “him” is Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, a two-time second team All Pro selection who was acquired from the New York Giants in April for a first-round draft pick

.

Block Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars will beat the Bengals on Oct. 4 and head to London next week with a 3-1 record.

Let Lawrence operate unfettered and run roughshod over the Jaguars’ game plan and their record will be 2-2.

In three games, Lawrence has seven tackles and two sacks (both in last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh

Steelers).

“He’s someone that you got to have in mind when you’re making a game plan,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said of his former Clemson teammate. “Just look at the guy — he’s ginormous (6-foot-5, 350 pounds) and strong and athletic. That makes him a challenge when you’re running the ball and passing the ball.”

What Dexter Lawrence’s tape revealed

Two years ago, Jaguars coach Liam Coen was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator and had to game plan for Dexter Lawrence when he was with the Giants.

“I remember going through that process and it’s definitely challenging,” Coen said.

The Times-Union analyzed Lawrence’s snaps against the Buccaneers in the 2024 Week 12 game and against Pittsburgh last week.

Initially, the Buccaneers prioritized double-teaming Lawrence, using two blockers on eight of his first 11 snaps. On his first single-blocked play, Lawrence beat left guard Ben Bredeson to get a half-tackle on a 1-yard loss.

In all, Tampa Bay double-teamed Lawrence on 21 of his 46 snaps and he had four factor plays: The aforementioned play against Bredeson, a quarterback hit of Baker Mayfield (beat left tackle Justin Skule), a forced fumble that was recovered by the Buccaneers and a half-tackle on a rush for no gain (beat center Graham Barton).

Lawrence was blocked by all five Tampa Bay linemen, but Coen didn’t use tight ends as double-teamers or chip blockers and used a running back only once. He trusted his line to contain Lawrence and they largely did in a 30-7 win.

Fast forward to last week’s Bengals-Pittsburgh game, a 30-27 Steelers win.

The Steelers basically declared their intention: They weren’t going to let Lawrence destroy their plan and double-teamed him on 28 of his 47 snaps.

On the Steelers’ first snap, Lawrence was chipped by the tight end … and then blocked by center Zach Frazier … and then blocked by right guard Brock Hoffman. Pittsburgh gained 30 yards on a completion to running back Jaylen Warren. Three plays later, Lawrence was double-teamed by left guard Mason McCormick and left tackle Troy Fautanu during a 38-yard touchdown catch by receiver Roman Wilson.

Lawrence had four factor plays and was single-blocked each time. He beat Frazier to post a tackle for loss, cleaned up for a sack of quarterback Aaron Rodgers (McCormick), knocked down Rodgers after a 14-yard completion (Hoffman) and cleaned up for a second sack of Rodgers (McCormick).

Still, the Steelers rushed for 138 yards (6.0 average) and totaled 411 yards a week after they were held to three points by the New England Patriots.

“Pittsburgh did a good job of being physical with him and we have to do the same,” Cleveland said. “He has physicality, strength, size, can get off the ball and he’s a vet so he knows what’s coming. You have to give him respect.”

Hainsey excited for opportunity

Hainsey made a good point when I asked him about double-teaming Lawrence: If the Bengals use four down linemen and don’t blitz a linebacker, the Jaguars will double-team one player and it might as well be Lawrence.

“In a four-down front, nine times out of 10, you’re going to get a double team on the ‘shade’ (player, Lawrence),” Hainsey said.

The key for the Jaguars when they double Lawrence are two-pronged. If it’s a true double team, eliminate him from the play. If they want one of the blockers to disengage to account for a linebacker, make sure Lawrence doesn’t lock you up.

“You have to be physical with him, but you also have to be good at departing the double team,” Cleveland said. “Sometimes, you get too (engaged) and a linebacker is freed up.”

That is a part of Lawrence’s impact that doesn’t appear on the stat sheet.

“You can see how much more patient their two inside linebackers (Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight) are because of what’s happening with Dex in front of them,” Coen said. “They’re not biting quite as hard on play action as they did at times last year. When you have a ‘front disruptor’ like Dex, it makes everybody’s job easier.”

Hainsey will have the most difficult job. Lawrence will occasionally line up directly across from Hainsey; other times, he will slightly shade over.

“He tilts himself because he knows how challenging that is for the center who has one hand on the ball and has to snap it and go get his hands on him,” Coen said. “I mean, that’s such a challenge in and of itself.”

Hainsey will see him. Same for Cleveland, Allen (on third down), left guard Emmanuel Pregnon, left tackle Anton Harrison and right tackle Cole Van Lanen. Blocking Lawrence is a team effort of technique, force and communication.

Hainsey can’t wait.

“Super exciting opportunity,” he said. “I'll play my game and excited to put it on tape.”

Contact O’Halloran at [e-mail] or on X at @ryanohalloran. Listen to Ryan on 1010AM on Tuesdays (6:35 p.m. on “Into The Night"), Thursdays (1:15 on "XL Primetime") and Fridays ("First Coast Football Friday" 4-7 p.m.).

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Clemson Clash: Dexter Lawrence looks to take down Trevor Lawrence