After notching his first career sack last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Laws got good news this week. In the first half of last Sunday's game, Laws pulled down quarterback David Garrard well behind the line of scrimmage, but the play was originally ruled a rush attempt. After the league reviewed the play, Laws was credited with his second sack of the game, and of his career. Call him Trevor Laws 2.0.
Laws has been a big part of the success of the defensive line early on - the Eagles are second in the league with 12 sacks - as he has emerged as the most productive inside pass rusher. Since training camp, Laws has been the only defensive tackle to remain on the line in nickel situations (he's usually joined by three defensive ends). Last week, Laws played more snaps than any other defensive tackle, a long way to come for a guy who was inactive much of last season.
"I think just being healthy is probably the biggest thing for me," Laws said, when asked about the difference in this, his third season. "Coming in and getting a whole camp was huge. I also put on a little bit of size, got in the weight room this offseason which I think has helped me with my power."
A second-round draft pick in the 2008 draft, Laws, 6-1, 304, is starting to pay dividends now that he's found a role that suits him.
"I think I have a combination of quicks and power that enables me to take advantage of some of these guards in opposing offenses," he said. "I'm able to get up the field, get that good push, not allow the quarterback to step up and allow Trent Cole and (Brandon) Graham to come around on the outside and we're getting some production out of it."
Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott echoed that sentiment.
"That inside push is very important to us because of the speed we have outside," McDermott said. "If you have speed outside but the quarterback can step up all day, it doesn't do you any good. Trevor's had a good start to the season far."
The good start, especially getting on the sack scoreboard, is nice, but Laws knows that he has to prove he can provide the same production throughout this season. And that starts Sunday when the Eagles take on their first divisional opponent of the season.
"It's huge," Laws said. "Playing an NFC East game is always big so we're looking to get a (win), start things off right and keep that lead in the division."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 2:02 p.m., September 30
