Chances For Bengals Linebacker Emmanuel Lamur Appear Slim

On Monday the Cincinnati Bengals announced that two tryout players invited to last weekend's rookie minicamp have signed contracts. Former Kansas State linebacker Emmanuel Lamur generated 83 tackles (six tackles for loss), seven passes broken up and two forced fumbles during his final season in 2011. And during his four-year collegiate career, Lamur played 37 games, totaled 197 tackles, 15 passes broken up, two forces fumbles and two recoveries.

The scouting report from National Football Post calls Lamur a "tall, lean linebacker who possesses the body of a defensive back." The scouting report continues remarking on his underwhelming size, however they write that he...

...possesses a long set of arms and when he puts himself in position to make a play on the ball carrier is patient when asked to breakdown. Wraps well on contact and does a nice job dragging his man to the ground. Isn't a physical striker and doesn't create much snap into contact, but is a solid tackler in tight areas. Doesn't display great instincts though inside, routinely will take himself out of plays with false steps and when he does need to close quickly in pursuit, loses balance into contact and ends up easily being knocked out of the play and/or on to the ground.

If you're thinking about the prospects of moving Lamur to the secondary (due to the mention of his size), don't. NFP continues:

Is leggy in his drop, struggles to keep his feet under him and isn't real fluid when asked to turn and run. Struggles with balance when re-directing out of his breaks, fails to keep his feet under him and doesn't generate much of a burst when asked to close. Possesses only an average feel in coverage and doesn't feel routes developing around him well. Is a strider who has only one gear, picks up speed as he goes, but doesn't play overly fast.

The Cincinnati Bengals typically take 6-7 linebackers after final cuts in early February -- seven in the past two years. We can assume that Rey Maualuga, Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson are guarantees. And right behind the guarantees, we're going to assume (with less certainty) that Roddrick Muckelroy and Dontay Moch are locks with a favorable outcome for Dan Skuta and Vincent Rey. There's always the chance that someone like Vontaze Burfict, DeQuin Evans (who could be a defensive end) make enough noise with the intention of improving on special teams.

Either way, Lamur's chances of making the roster are slim at best. Practice squad maybe, but there's 13 linebackers vying for roughly six (or more) linebackers that could be fighting for those spots alone.

However Lamur impressed Marvin Lewis enough that the head coach mentioned Lamur by name, not once, but twice.