Bengals’ second-year defensive end Lawson: ‘I can be ridiculously good’

One of the big questions for the Cincinnati Bengals defense in 2018 will be whether defensive end Carl Lawson can equal what he did during his breakout rookie season.

Lawson said he hopes that not the case.

He expects more, and he said he sees no reason why he won’t get it.

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“I feel like I can be ridiculously good,” Lawson said Wednesday as Bengals players reported for training camp, which begins Thursday.

“It’s just being able to be available,” Lawson added. “That’s been my thing my entire career. I’m constantly getting better. Each and every day I get better because I’m constantly looking at film, constantly in the weight room, constantly stretching. I’m always evolving. The main thing is just staying healthy, and I can take my game to heights nobody thinks I can take it to.”

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Lawson recorded 8.5 sacks last year, a half sack shy of Geno Atkins’ team lead, despite playing 41.6 percent of the defensive snaps.

His workload is expected to increase this year, which should mean more sacks. But he isn’t interested in forecasting numbers.

His mission is simple:

“Just dominate. Every play. That’s it.”

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