Lawrence Pillers - #76 - DE - Alcorn State - Profile

PRO: "Lawrence is a consistent defensive lineman whose biggest strength is against the run," Michaels said. "He must get better on his pass rush. He did show improvement pressuring the quarterback toward the latter part of the season." ...started 15 games at left defensive end finished second on the team with a career-high 5 1/2 QB sacks did not start vs. Detroit because of knee injury but still played tied for fifth on club with 108 tackles (51 unassisted) ...a key part of the Jets' rushing defense, which was third best in the NFL last year...was outstanding in victory vs. New England with two sacks and a forced fumble that led to a Jets' TD ...other sacks came at N.E. and Buffalo, Miami and Baltimore at Shea ...was second on team with three forced fumbles ...recovered fumble vs. Minnesota ...started 16 games at LDE in 1978...led team in tackles and blocked two PATs in 1977 when he missed only game of his career at Miami with broken hand ...one of the fastest linemen on the squad (4.85 seconds in 40) ...originally drafted as LB because he weighed 225 at Alcorn State ...surprised everyone when he came to training camp at 250 and still kept his speed ...started 13 games at LDE as a rookie.

COLLEGE: First team AP small college All-American atdefen- sive end ...helped Alcorn win Black National Championship in 1974...as a senior, led defense that topped nation against the run by allowing only 159 yards in 10 games ...all-conference three times ...had 12 blocked punts and 15 fumble recoveries in his career.

PERSONAL: Wife Carri. ..daughters LaCuria and LaVechelle, who was born last March ...majored in physical education ... worked in sheriff's office in Port Gibson, Miss., during offseason ...has six riding horses ...one of 10 children ...went to Hazlehurst High in his birthplace and hometown of Hazlehurst, Miss.

From 1980 Jets yearbook.