Raiders interested in signing Manny Lawson

The Raiders are one of a handful of teams showing interest in free agent linebacker Manny Lawson according to various sources. The other teams said to be showing interest are the Colts and Packers.

Lawson would be an ideal fit for the Raiders as they try attempt to replace Kamerion Wimbley as well as switch to more of a 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense. Lawson is a big linebacker at 6-5, 240 and is known for his run stopping abilities. He saw a resurgence with the Bengals last season at strong side linebacker collecting 57 tackles. The Bengals have also expressed interested in bringing him back.

Lawson also has experience playing in the 3-4 which would make him an every down type of player for the Raiders. New Raiders defensive coordinator, Jason Tarver, worked very closely with Lawson while he was the outside linebackers coach for the 49ers for five seasons from 2006-10.

Lawson was drafted by the 49ers in 2006, Tarver's first season as the team's outside linebackers coach so the two know each other quite well. When Lawson left for the Bengals, Tarver left to take the Co-Defensive Coordinator position at Stanford University.

In their final two seasons together with the 49ers, Lawson played in and started every game totaling nine sacks, eight passes defended, five forced fumbles, and averaging 60 tackles per season.