*Lo Rax Moves to Natural Position

[Phobospwns]

Lo Rax Moves to Natrual Postion
[span style=\\'font-size:14pt;line-height:100%\\']Sees Production Jump as a Result[/span]


Lo Rax wraps up Rainey on a 4th and 2 play at the line of scrimmage in last week's contest, resulting in a turnover on downs

Kansas City - After week 4, the KC Coyotes added defensive line help by way of defensive end Ugandan Knuckles. The move in and of itself is not all that noteworthy; Knuckles is a lower level starter/depth player by all accounts, as his availability in the free agent market would suggest. Ugandan's presence in the lineup, has; however, freed up Lo Rax to move out of a DT role he'd been filling up to that point, and into something he's a little more familiar with, which is likely to have the bigger impact on the squad.

As a DT, Lo had been averaging 2.25 tackles per game and .25 sacks per game through the first four contests of the season. Once he was able to kick outside, his numbers jumped through the last two weeks: 9 tackles, 1 TFL and 1 sack; good for an average of 4.5/.25/.5 per game. Lo Rax literally doubled his production through the first 4 games in only two as an edge player, a sign that bodes well for the 3rd round rookie out of SUNY University at Buffalo.

Rax had the best quarter (and game as a whole) of his young career in last week's tilt against the Solar Bears. Having already amassed 4 tackles in the contest going into the 4th, Rax made two big plays. The first came on the heels of a KC touchdown that put them up by 7. On the ensuing1st down passing attempt Rax was able to log a sack of Palm Beach QB Jones, putting the Bears in a hole they were unable to climb out of, with the drive ending 3 plays later with a punt.

With KC unable to move the ball on their ensuing possession, Palm beach was again the pigskin, with 4 minutes remaining in the contest, starting from their own 1 yard line. After a pair of first downs, the Solar Bears had stopped the clock on their own 30 yard line. An 8 yard rush followed by a broken up pass left Palm Beach with a 4th and 2 situation. If converted, the momentum of the drive would have continued to mount, with a tying TD all the more likely. Of course, if they were held at bay, the game would be in hand for the Coyotes. Moments later, Palm Beach RB Rainey was met by DE Lo Rax, the former struck backwards for a 0 yard gain, a turnover on downs, and more or less, the end of the contest.

When asked about what appears to be a step forward for the young defender, Rax credited the position change, but was also quick to point out the progression of his game.

"Yeah, the position change definitely helped. I'm not complaining about what I was doing before - I've made it common knowledge that I'm willing to come into any team and do whatever I'm asked, DT, DE, LB, hell even S. That being said, I'm more at home as a DE or OLB than I am playing on the interior of the defensive line. That transition to something more familiar helps me play faster with less thinking. It's not just that, though. I've been making gains in my strength and speed as the season has progressed. So not only am I processing faster, but I'm physically quicker as well. It's a step forward, without a doubt, but ultimately, I'm not even close to where I need to be. That's a long process and this is just one small sign of progress.

How much more could Lo improve before the end of the regular season? Could he make a bigger impact for the team if they're able to reach the playoffs than he is now, or will 4.5 tackles per game be the new norm throughout the remaining duration of his rookie season? We've got 8 weeks to learn more.

[iamslm22]

Good read man! Glad the bump to outside helped your productivity!

[timeconsumer]

Love the versatility