I don't think Timmons is outspoken enough to be a leader just like Polamalu. Both are good players but I want a Joey Porter / Greg Lloyd / Jack Lambert type player on this defense. Someone with a bit more fire and intensity. Someone that will "gather the troops" and tell everyone to step it up a notch if they are playing slack.... 2 games that immediately come to mind last year was the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins.
At home, in the snow and the Dolphins are marching up and down the field like New Orleans at home against the worst defense in the league. Someone like Porter or Lloyd that would let everyone know that their performance is not how the Steelers play defense and that its not acceptable.
Give me as many talented players possible on the team. Talent wins football games. These guys are professionals. They have a job to do & the coaches are the ones who who should be up there A$$ if they aren't doing it. Teams are a reflection of their coach..That's on Tomlins plate & its full with the youth! You get production boom from the talent & players start looking up to them. That's when leaders are born.
Porter was here 8 years & the Steelers won 1 SB. It wasn't Porter who made the difference at the end of his career when they won. Lloyd was here 10 & we got zero. Flowers was one of the most vocal guys on the field he netted jack. The two most recent Leaders in the SB run weren't outspoken on the field or up in your face motivators. It was pure respect that gave them that hat. That came from their production on the field & their work ethic. That was Farrior & Harrison. Two extremely talented Steelers who were the heart & soul of the D for many years...And 2 SBs! That's the players you want to lead. Those types are here. They will step up & the rest to follow.
So a "leader" would have made a difference in the Dolphins & Vikings game? What about the other 6 losses? A leader wouldn't have change any outcome. Old...Slow...Lack of talent...That's the story of 2013 that FINALLY came to a head. The front office recognized it & are moving forward.
Farrior was plenty vocal. Maybe not a trash talker like Porter but he wasn't quiet. We don't have a Farrior on this defense right now from a vocal leader perspective.
.................................................. ...Who?
Playing with a bit more fire & attitude if you are old & slow doesn't net more wins. If the body can't...Running your mouth or being Pi$$ed off doesn't all of the sudden make you young again. Just plug in that "Firey Leader" you want...Does it change the other 10?
Last edited by JUST-PLAIN-NASTY; 06-03-2014 at 12:29 PM.
And personally, I think Porter and his loudmouth had an enormous impact on the Steelers Super Bowl XL run during the playoffs.
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