ILBs Shine in Steeler Win

[QUOTE][B]Linebackers Step Up[/B]
When you’re starting inside linebacker pairing earn a combined [COLOR=#008000][B]+5.4[/B][/COLOR] grade, things tend to go well on defense. Sure [B]Vince Williams[/B] was limited to 29 snaps, but in their base package he combined extremely effectively with the superb [B]Lawrence Timmons[/B] to impact the Bengals’ ability to run the ball. Any hesitation from the Bengals’ linemen was pounced upon by Timmons especially, who was quick to dissect and attack the ball carrier, as evidenced by his tackle for a loss with 7.15 to go in the game as Mike Pollak spent a fraction too long helping out on a double team. It’s not been his most consistent year but Timmons can still produce the goods like few linebackers out there.
[B]DeCastro Shines[/B]
Engaged in a power struggle with [B]Brandon Thompson [/B]for most of the game [B]David DeCastro ([COLOR=#008000]+4.0[/COLOR])[/B] just about came out on top, though the strength of his grades owes more to the work he did against other players. In truth he and Thompson exchanged blows throughout, with Thompson looking the more powerful man when it came to holding his ground, while the athleticism of DeCastro saw him get the win when he was sealing off the Bengal. Others didn’t have quite so much joy as DeCastro showed off his full repertoire, such as when he pulled to the second level and wiped out both Rey Maualuga and Wallace Gilberry with a cut block (Q2, 2.14) or when he took over a double team on Domata Peko and drove him downfield and to the ground (Q2, 5.06). For a line that has needed retooling for some time the play of 2012 first round pick DeCastro in his first full year has been a massive bonus, with only his recent form before this game taking the shine off a possible Pro Bowl year.
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[URL]http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/12/16/refo-bengals-steelers-week-15/[/URL]

I would love to see Vince Williams get more playing time these next 2 games to see whether or not we need to draft another ILB high to play next to Timmons...

[QUOTE=hawaiiansteel;586575]I would love to see Vince Williams get more playing time these next 2 games to see whether or not we need to draft another ILB high to play next to Timmons...[/QUOTE]

I think they would still like to draft one if a b.p.a. candidate is there. With Sean Spence still unproven with the injury, it may be a good idea for the usual depth and development. I really like Vince Williams though, couldn't ask for more from a rookie 6th rounder this year. I would like to see him get more playing time too. What better time to find out.

If he performs well, maybe we can jettison Foote to save some costs--not sure of Foote's salary situation though either.

Vince Williams has gotten better every week. That's all you can ask a rookie to do. Right now this team needs to address the secondary and maybe add another ILB in the mix for depth/special teams

[B]Steelers vs. Packers: A big week of work for LB Vince Williams[/B]

By Neal Coolong on Dec 17 2013

[IMG]http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25284341/201312115_ads_al8_111.0_standard_500.0.jpg[/IMG]

Coming off an increase in playing time, Williams was a part of a Steelers defense that didn't allow a play longer than 19 yards all night. These last two games will be weighted heavier in Williams' evaluation for the 2014 season.

Steelers rookie linebacker Vince Williams has been undergoing a baptism by fire this season.

Playing the most snaps of any rookie inside linebacker since Kendrell Bell - which is to say the most since Dick LeBeau returned as the Steelers' defensive coordinator in 2004 - Williams has taken his lumps probably more than any other Steelers rookie. He doesn't have the first round pedigree of outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. He does carry with him the same day-to-day expectations, though.

Williams is coming off probably his best performance of his young career, notching six tackles and four stops against Cincinnati, as Pittsburgh's defense stifled the strong-running Bengals to just 57 yards on the ground.

The strength of his performance allowed Troy Polamalu, who has often assumed the inside linebacker spot over Williams over the last several games, to return to his natural safety position. That, in turn, made the Steelers defense stronger overall, and held the Bengals without a play of 20 yards or longer - the first time this season they've held an opponent without one.

Larry Foote tore a biceps muscle, ending his season in Week 1. Sean Spence hasn't been able to get healthy enough to see the field. It's possible Williams must engage with both of them this offseason to keep a role of prominence within the team.

Or, Williams can make Foote's $1.6 million cap hit negligible.

A strong performance in Pittsburgh's final two games, starting with Week 16 at Green Bay, will go a long way in determining if Williams has grown to become more than a rookie starting in undesirable situations.

That test won't be tougher than against Green Bay, with powerful running back Eddie Lacy and the likely return of All-World quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Few, if any, offenses in the NFL are more potent than the Packers when fully healthy. They may be as close as they're going to get to that level. If Williams can continue to bolster his position, leaving Polamalu in the secondary and helping Lawrence Timmons focus on just his assignments, the Steelers defense can be in a position to slow them down.

If not, Foote and Spence may just creep back into the picture.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/12/17/5219272/steelers-vince-williams-2014-nfl-draft-inside-linebacker-salary-cap-larry-foote[/URL]

The team has needs elsewhere to the point where it'd be awfully nice not to have to spend a premium pick on this position... I have a lot of concern going forward that the comp 3 we're likely to get for Wallace is the pick the NFL targets over Sidelinegate, which would leave us with only 2 picks in the top 100.

[QUOTE=B&GinNC;586801]The team has needs elsewhere to the point where it'd be awfully nice not to have to spend a premium pick on this position... I have a lot of concern going forward that the comp 3 we're likely to get for Wallace is the pick the NFL targets over Sidelinegate, which would leave us with only 2 picks in the top 100.[/QUOTE]

I don't think the Steelers will lose a pick at all...IF, for some reason, Goodell is unreasonable, I can't imagine it being more than a 3rd day pick...