Sidbury set for opportunity to impress doubters

One of the most important phone calls in Lawrence Sidbury's life took longer than expected, but it finally came during the late afternoon on April 26.

Sidbury, a former University of Richmond defensive end, got a call from Thomas Dimitroff, the Atlanta Falcons general manager, saying that they had selected him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft with pick No. 125.

"It was a big relief," Sidbury said. "I waited a little longer than expected. But you can't control where you go."

Before the draft, some draft experts had Sidbury going either late in the second round or early in the third round. Sidbury was forced to wait as thirteen defensive ends were selected before he got the call. Being passed up thirteen times has created incentive for Sidbury.

"I definitely have a chip on my shoulder," he said. "Some of the players that went ahead of me I didn't expect to go [so soon]."

Richmond coach Mike London echoed Sidbury's sentiment.

"The draft is always funny," London said. "Teams draft on needs and they draft on their board [of top prospects]."

Sidbury ended his collegiate career on a high note. In the National Championship game against the University of Montana, Sidbury registered four sacks for a total loss of 22 yards.

Before the draft, Sidbury played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. He also participated in the NFL Scouting Combine with the top draft prospects. He had the fastest 40-yard dash time of all of the defensive ends, which helped draw attention to his name by the draft experts.

"After playing in the Championship Game and the all-star games, I was chosen in the fourth round," Sidbury said. "I wonder what would have happened if I didn't do those things."

Sidbury will report to Flowery Branch, Ga., for the Falcons minicamp for the weekend of May 9. There he will be reunited with defensive line coach Ray Hamilton, who worked Sidbury out at Richmond's pro-day.

The Falcons have three-time Pro Bowler John Abraham and 2007 first-round draft choice Jamaal Anderson as the starting defensive ends, according to the team's Web site. Abraham has recorded double-digit sacks five times in his career, including a career-high 16.5 last year.

"He's one of my favorite players," Sidbury said of Abraham, who will be playing his tenth year in the NFL. "To be able to learn from him is great."

Sidbury is expected to start out as a pass-rushing specialist after collecting a total of 20.5 sacks during his time at Richmond. According to most experts, Sidbury is small for a defensive end at 6' 2'' and 260 pounds, but he uses his speed to get to the quarterback.

"He can run and he has a quick first step," London said.

Sidbury will need that speed to be successful in the NFL. He will play against left tackles, who are usually the most skilled offensive linemen, as they protect the blind side of the quarterback.

During the past two years, three Spiders have been drafted. Before that, no Spider had been selected since 2000. Arman Shields was drafted in the fourth round last year by the Oakland Raiders at pick No.125. Tim Hightower was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round last year and ended his rookie season in the Super Bowl with the Cardinals.

Before the draft, Sidbury talked to Shields and Hightower and got advice from them.

"They told me not to watch the draft," Sidbury said. "But I did anyway."

It took Sidbury a while to make it to the NFL but he knows what to do in order to have success.

"Hightower told me to keep working like I've been doing," Sidbury said. "I have to keep working to perfect my game."

Contact staff writer Andrew Prezioso at andrew.prezioso@richmond.edu