[h2]49ers GM Baalke attends Lawson's private workout[/h2]
Published: March 28, 2015 at 4:48 p.m.
Not all private workouts are the same for NFL draft prospects, and
Shaq Lawson experienced two very different ones in a span of three days last week.
The more challenging one was courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, but the Clemson defensive end embraced it both for its difficulty and audience: 49ers general manager Trent Baalke was there, and NFL general managers don't attend private workouts for just anyone.
"When I found out the GM was coming, that told me something about how serious they are about me. He makes the decisions on the team, he's going to draft guys, so with him there, it was more pressure, but I liked that," Lawson said. "He's the main guy, he picks the players."
The 49ers put Lawson through both defensive line drills and linebacker drills, pushing his physical limits for nearly two hours. They wanted to see him from both a three-point stance and a two-point stance, working out not only as a pass rusher but in pass coverage as well.
It's something which Lawson said he was well-prepared.
"I stood up some at Clemson; (defensive ends coach) Marion Hobby had us learn how to play both ways, and we dropped into coverage three or four times a game, at least," Lawson said. "I felt like I was ready for anything."
When it was all over, Lawson said Baalke praised him for his effort and skill.
The easier of the two workouts, both of which were at Clemson, was for the Carolina Panthers. It was relatively brief, and Lawson said he had little trouble understanding the Panthers defense as explained by line coach Eric Washington.
"They pretty much run the defense we ran at Clemson," Lawson said. "I was pretty familiar with all of it."
Lawson has no private workouts scheduled for this week, but if one comes up on short notice, the two contrasting experiences should give him some idea of what to expect.
Lawson said both clubs also worked out fellow Clemson defensive end
Kevin Dodd, and linebacker
B.J. Goodson.
Carolina will bring Lawson to Charlotte for a formal visit on April 7, two days after he is set to visit the Dallas Cowboys.
-- Chase Goodbread