The Bengals on Friday re-signed linebacker Manny Lawson, an unrestricted free agent who played in every Cincinnati game last season with 16 starts, including the club's Wild Card playoff game.
Lawson ranked fifth on last year's team in tackles (78) and had 1.5 sacks. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles-for-loss (seven).
Lawson is entering his second season with the Bengals. He played his first five seasons for San Francisco, which drafted him in the first round in 2006. He has 80 career games played (regular season) with 71 starts. His career totals include 16 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 18 passes defensed.
"Manny was a big part of our success last season, and I look for him to take his game to a higher level this year," said Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. "He moved to essentially a different position with us, playing outside in a 4-3 (scheme) after being in a 3-4, and he kept getting better as the year went on. He was very good against the run and in coverage, and this year I think we can take better advantage of him as a pass rusher."
