Why the Steelers might let Woodley walk

[Shawn]

Listen...I have no axe to grind with Woodley. He was in my mock that year and I have been singing his praises every since. But, my eyes can fool me just like the next guy. I like big powerful hitters and guys who can sack the QB. It's fun to watch. But, there is more to being a linebacker than sacking the QB.

Question why did the Steelers draft two higher round OLBs this season? STs and because they needed depth? I don't believe so. I believe it's because they don't plan on re-signing Woodley. That just seems ignorant until you look at the non sack numbers.

Woodley was ranked 73rd worst among linebackers in run Defense in 2009
Woodley was ranked 52nd worst among linebackers in Pass defense (in coverage only, not rushing QB)


We know Tomlin likes linebackers who can do it all including cover. Woodley wasn't that guy last year.

[Crash]

Woodley's a little better in coverage than people think but I agree about the run defense.

But who's to say it won't be Harrison (who's way over 30) to be the one to go? If he continues to slump this season like he did at the end of last season who knows? It could happen.

[Flasteel]

Listen...I have no axe to grind with Woodley. He was in my mock that year and I have been singing his praises every since. But, my eyes can fool me just like the next guy. I like big powerful hitters and guys who can sack the QB. It's fun to watch. But, there is more to being a linebacker than sacking the QB.

Question why did the Steelers draft two higher round OLBs this season? STs and because they needed depth? I don't believe so. I believe it's because they don't plan on re-signing Woodley. That just seems ignorant until you look at the non sack numbers.

Woodley was ranked 73rd worst among linebackers in run Defense in 2009
Woodley was ranked 52nd worst among linebackers in Pass defense (in coverage only, not rushing QB)


We know Tomlin likes linebackers who can do it all including cover. Woodley wasn't that guy last year.

Are you serious Shawn? Quit hitting your nitrous supply before you post. The primary function of a 3-4 outside linebacker is to rush the passer (apologies for stating the obvious). Woodley is arguably the best up and coming pass rush specialist in this league. I fully realize that he cannot become a liability in the other phases of his game, but I don't believe you have presented any significant evidence to show that he has.


I see Woodley out in the flats all of the time in coverage and distinctly remember him running with TE's down the seam 20 yards upfield. Hell, last year he had 5 passes defended and even had an interception in 2008. I'm not sure what stats constitute either of the categories you listed (run defense and pass defense), but you cannot compare his role to that of a 4-3 linebacker by plugging him into that positional ranking (nice inclusion of "worst", by the way). Why don't you see how he fares against all DE's?

Woodley will no-doubt be the Steelers top priority after this season. You are trying to reason against all common sense and logic by suggesting anything different.

I applaud you for your [failed] effort.

[grotonsteel]

Woodley's a little better in coverage than people think but I agree about the run defense.

But who's to say it won't be Harrison (who's way over 30) to be the one to go? If he continues to slump this season like he did at the end of last season who knows? It could happen.

The only reason i think Steelers drafted 2 OLBS in this draft. From bench strength/backups this year to starters in 2-3 years.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Listen...I have no axe to grind with Woodley. He was in my mock that year and I have been singing his praises every since. But, my eyes can fool me just like the next guy. I like big powerful hitters and guys who can sack the QB. It's fun to watch. But, there is more to being a linebacker than sacking the QB.

Question why did the Steelers draft two higher round OLBs this season? STs and because they needed depth? I don't believe so. I believe it's because they don't plan on re-signing Woodley. That just seems ignorant until you look at the non sack numbers.

Woodley was ranked 73rd worst among linebackers in run Defense in 2009
Woodley was ranked 52nd worst among linebackers in Pass defense (in coverage only, not rushing QB)


We know Tomlin likes linebackers who can do it all including cover. Woodley wasn't that guy last year.

How anyone can come up with numbers for LB's in pass coverage is beyond me. At the end of the day, those stats might be meaningless. There are many variables to consider.

I agree, there is more to being a LB then rushing the passer. Woodley may not be a great man to man coverage LB. He can become better then he is now. He can become more instinctive in pass coverage with experience. He is still a player entering the prime of his career.

Steelers drafted LB's because it is what they do. Having depth at the position is key to having a great pass rush/3-4 defense. Harrison is not getting any younger. They can also use those players to improve the special teams coverage. They might not be able to resign Woodley. There are a number of reasons why they drafted LB's. They seem to take one or two every draft or pick up UDFA's at LB.

I believe the Steelers would like to resign Woodley. I don't think it will have anything to do with meaningless pass coverage numbers. Please stop smoking whatever MSM is smoking.

[feltdizz]

Listen...I have no axe to grind with Woodley. He was in my mock that year and I have been singing his praises every since. But, my eyes can fool me just like the next guy. I like big powerful hitters and guys who can sack the QB. It's fun to watch. But, there is more to being a linebacker than sacking the QB.

Question why did the Steelers draft two higher round OLBs this season? STs and because they needed depth? I don't believe so. I believe it's because they don't plan on re-signing Woodley. That just seems ignorant until you look at the non sack numbers.

Woodley was ranked 73rd worst among linebackers in run Defense in 2009
Woodley was ranked 52nd worst among linebackers in Pass defense (in coverage only, not rushing QB)


We know Tomlin likes linebackers who can do it all including cover. Woodley wasn't that guy last year.

How anyone can come up with numbers for LB's in pass coverage is beyond me. At the end of the day, those stats might be meaningless. There are many variables to consider.

There is more to being a LB then rushing the passer. Woodley may not be a great man to man coverage LB. He can become better then he is now. He can become more instinctive in pass coverage with experience. He is still a player entering the prime of his career.

Steelers drafted LB's because it is what they do. Having depth at the position is key to having a great pass rush. Harrison is not getting any younger. They can also use those players to improve the special teams coverage. They might not be able to resign Woodley. There are a number of reasons why they drafted LB's. They seem to take one or two every draft or pick up UDFA's at LB.

I believe the Steelers would like to resign Woodley. I don't think it will have anything to do with meaningless pass coverage numbers. Please stop smoking whatever MSM is smoking.

[Shawn]

Woodley's a little better in coverage than people think but I agree about the run defense.

But who's to say it won't be Harrison (who's way over 30) to be the one to go? If he continues to slump this season like he did at the end of last season who knows? It could happen.

The only reason i think Steelers drafted 2 OLBS in this draft. From bench strength/backups this year to starters in 2-3 years.

Possibly. But, I trust stats more than my eyes in this case. I know I can be mislead by a freakish pass rusher into thinking he is better than he is. In every area but pass rushing (which I admit he is elite in that area) he has struggled statistically.

The question I had after reading this was...do you pay a pure pass rusher with little run support ability and little ability to pass cover a HUGE top 5 LBr contract?

It's just a theory guys but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they let him walk...especially if Worilds turns out to be the real deal. Harrison while he has some age on him doesn't have as much mileage as his stated age. He should be good to go for another 4-5 seasons barring injury.

[Jooser]

The thing is this, teams didn't run the ball on us, even last season. Our rushing D was great, but rather there was an absence of pass rush at times last season that further exploited our porous pass defense. Why would we want to lose what was arguably our best pass rush weapon, we'd take a step backwards in the category that could be strengthened this season. I don't care what Wood's individual stats were in the rushing d or passing d categories, he gives us a force to be reckoned with (period).

[Flasteel]

From the Bleacher Report:
Last season, Woodley tied for the lead in the NFL with 19 tackles for loss.
Other than being one of the best pass rushers in the league, people do not realize that Woodley is one of the best against the run as well.
[url="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/423538-pittsburgh-steelers-10-reasons-lamarr-woodley-deserves-an-extension#page/4"]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4235 ... ion#page/4[/url]

Mike Mayock on Daniel Graham:
“I kind of like him at 3-4 outside linebacker,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “The first time I put a tape on, he reminded me an awful lot of Woodley. They both were tremendously stout against the run and they had some explosion getting up the field.
[url="http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/at-linebacker-or-defensive-end-brandon-graham-should-make-an-impact-in-nfl/"]http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-footb ... ct-in-nfl/[/url]

Scouting report out of college:
Woodley is clearly a "tweener" and will most likely find himself playing linebacker at the next level. His best fit in the NFL would be a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker an occasionally line up at defensive end. Woodley has all the intangibles to excel in a 3-4 scheme as a pass rusher and get the job done against the run. He will be a first day selection, probably a mid-to-late first round pick.
[url="http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=510"]http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/prof ... ect_id=510[/url]

Lamarr Woodley on Lamarr Woodley:
“I’m great against the run,” Woodley said last Friday. “I do a good job of holding my gap and holding my own against offensive linemen. You run the ball my way, I’m definitely going to pass the test. I don’t back down from anybody, and I’m pretty good at everything I do. And if I beat you, I’m going to drill you all the way into the ground.”
[url="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-trippintuesday052610"]http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=m ... sday052610[/url]

I’m not sure if you just read some obscure stat and decided that Woodley was weak against the run, or if you are just basing this erroneous assessment on your observations. Regardless, it would seem your "evidence" lacks any punch.

[Shawn]

The thing is this, teams didn't run the ball on us, even last season. Our rushing D was great, but rather there was an absence of pass rush at times last season that further exploited our porous pass defense. Why would we want to lose what was arguably our best pass rush weapon, we'd take a step backwards in the category that could be strengthened this season. I don't care what Wood's individual stats were in the rushing d or passing d categories, he gives us a force to be reckoned with (period).

I'm certainly not saying I want to lose Woodley. What I am saying is that if Worilds shows he is the real deal it might be real easy not to pay Woodley top 5 LBr money.