Bengals re-sign Lawson to reported 1-year deal

Published Mar. 30, 2012 1:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed unrestricted free-agent linebacker Manny Lawson on Friday, the team announced.

Lawson, who joined the Bengals last year after spending his first five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, signed a one-year deal, a league source told The Cincinnati Enquirer.

He was fifth on the team in tackles with 78 and had 1 1/2 sacks last season, and started in 16 of the team's 17 games, including the wild-card playoff loss.

The 2006 first-round draft pick has 16 sacks for his career, along with 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," Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said in a statement released by the team. "He moved to essentially a different position with us, playing outside in a 4-3 (defensive 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."