The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

[Oviedo]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

If our OLBs bring as much pressure as many think, why does Lebeau have to send Troy and Timmons from both ends to generate pressure in critical 3rd downs so often?

Harrison and Woodley are great OLBs. They are both well rounded guys. And Woodley can drop into coverage. And it reminds me of the way Levon Kirkland was great in coverage but for some reason, no one ever gave him credit for that part of his game. I think people see a big body and assume a guy can't cover. But just like Levon, when you watch Woodley in coverage, he's pretty darn good.

I like Woodley and Timmons. From day 1 with Woodley, his game was complete. And Timmons is still growing into his athleticism today.

In fairness, Timmons has a lot more responsibilities. But when he finally puts it all together, we're gonna be talking about him as the best LB in the league. I'm down for this year being his breakout season.

I disagree about people not giving Kirkland credit for his ability to cover. I would always marvel at the ability for a guy pushing 3 bills to stay with a TE 30 yards downfield. Remarkable.

Kirkland was much more than just a run stuffer. His movement skills for someone his size were exceptional.

I also agree with your comment about responsibilities. Timmons is asked to do much more than Woodley. Both are great and I want to keep both.

[Captain Lemming]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

I never liked Larry foote much and thought we could improve that spot in the defense for a while. That said how much 'worse' was the entire defense vs. The run game when he was in there?? Not looking at individual tackling stats.

So you want to judge an "individual" by a "team" stat?
We can do that, it is equally impressive.
Dude we have always had good run defenses but THIS WAS THE STATISTICALLY BEST STEELER RUN DEFENSE EVER!!!!!



The Steelers have had the number one run defense many times.
THIS YEARS RUN DEFENSE WAS SPECIAL.

One quote:

Steelers have best run defense ever, so far
Sunday, November 14, 2010
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers have lost both of their starting defensive ends to injuries for various lengths of time, yet their defense continues to treat running backs as if they were tree limbs fed to a wood shredder.

For the only time in NFL history, a defense has not allowed more than 75 yards rushing in any one of its first eight games. That Steelers run defense has allowed just 58.25 yards on average, which at the midway point of their season is on pace to beat the 2000 Baltimore Ravens' 16-game NFL record of 60.625.

They have another half-season to go, and they will play two of the best running teams in the league between now and Christmas -- No. 2 Oakland (162.2 ypg) and the No. 4 New York Jets (148.0).

They probably will not have defensive end Aaron Smith back for either, and defensive end Brett Keisel will miss his third game in the past four tonight with a hamstring injury. Smith always has been a major factor why the run defense is so consistently good, so it may not hold up in the second half the way it did through eight games. That is why coach Mike Tomlin is holding a roster spot for him, for a possible playoff run.

They have done it against some of the best runners the NFL has to offer. Atlanta's Michael Turner, fifth in the league, had 42 yards against them on 19 carries. Tennessee's Chris Johnson, sixth in the NFL, had 34 yards on 16 carries. No. 11 Ray Rice of Baltimore had 20 yards on eight tries. No. 13 Peyton Hillis of Cleveland had 41 yards on 12 carries.

Read more: [url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/1103171-66.stm#ixzz1MYqzO5W2"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/11 ... z1MYqzO5W2[/url]

Second Quote:

Pittsburgh allowed 437 fewer yards than the second-place Bears (1,441 yards). That difference of 27.3 yards per game is the largest gap between first and second place since 1951, when the Giants were 45.1 yards better than the Browns.

You make it sound like the run D stunk before Timmons took over that spot.

Please provide a quote. I never said ANYTHING to that effect. The degree that an already outstanding run defense can improve says something about Timmons.

Furthermore if woodley was so bad against the run why the heck are teams abandoning it against us. Why not just run it over the right tackle play after play like we did to GB in the 3rd qr to exploit that weakness

For one I never said Woodley was "bad" against the run. Timmons is just much better against the run. I said "Woodley is not special as a run defender." That doesn't make him "bad" just "not special". I find this to be the case with many pass rush specialist type OLBers. This is what sets JH apart from the rest. Harrison is like Lawrence Taylor back in the day, dominant against the run and pass.

Dude the numbers dont lie:

Harrison 100 tackles
Farrior 109 tackles
Timmons 135 tackles
Woodley 50 tackles

There is another LB on his side. Perhaps when teams run his way, someone else makes the play when Woodley doesnt? Regardless he is the least productive LB in the run game of our guys.

What are Timmons weaknesses in your opinion?
What can he improve on? Just curious

.

I agree with you he can get better as a pass rusher. That doesnt mean he is bad at it now. When he blitzed a lot, he did get 7 sacks one season. Nobody since Kendrell has done that from the inside. Kendrell got something like 8 one year and people were losing their mind over him.

Timmons isnt bad, he just has not hit his potential since he has the talent to be a scary inside blitzer.

I also see him continuing to improve in every area. Based on his huge jump last year I would not be at all surprised if he simply dominates the position as the leagues best inside LB.

Ps. I don't get the Lloyd comparisons. GL was an elite pass rusher. I don't feel LT is in that class

GL averaged about 7 sacks as a starter. GL had 10 sack once in his career, something both Woodley and Harrison do annually. He was not the small DE sized type who will bullrush a tackle like the Woodley, Harrison, Greene, Gildon, types can. He was 4-3 LB sized. They picked spots to blitz GL far more than the others. He had to use speed when blitzing, if a lineman got him locked up he was done. In the run game, GL had speed and amazing pursuit capabilities. He got a ton of tackles on run plays, even when the play went away from him.

I see Timmons as having the same skill set as Lloyd. They have a rare "burst" and are hard to escape from.

GLs career was not defined by "number of sacks". He made plays all game long. Timmons is that kind of player.

[Captain Lemming]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

Still regardless of which of these players we would choose the best outcome is more of this:

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

With GL. I KNOW he could do it all. I still consider pretty elite as a rusher. Just because he was seemingly always able to beat his man on the outside


K bell was another guy that didn't let the RB pick up his blitz. He went thru them rather then around them. I don't need to see Timmons do that bit I need to see him beat a RB consistently. Hopefully he improves there

I think Timmons played the run better this past year then the year before where he often got lost when engaged.
Hardy Nickerson. J olsavsky, and Earl Holmes used to put up great tackle numbers in our defense too. The inside guys in a 3-4 seem to do that. I wouldn't take any of those guys over Greene/porter who likely had less tackles (didn't look)

But. LT is a lot better then them and can do much more. I hope we get to see more of it
I'd still rate woodley a bit higher...if I had to grade them out I'd say

Debo 9.5
Woodley 8.5
Timmons 8

Not dissing him. Just think lamaar is a bit better.

[ikestops85]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

With GL. I KNOW he could do it all. I still consider pretty elite as a rusher. Just because he was seemingly always able to beat his man on the outside


K bell was another guy that didn't let the RB pick up his blitz. He went thru them rather then around them. I don't need to see Timmons do that bit I need to see him beat a RB consistently. Hopefully he improves there

I think Timmons played the run better this past year then the year before where he often got lost when engaged.
Hardy Nickerson. J olsavsky, and Earl Holmes used to put up great tackle numbers in our defense too. The inside guys in a 3-4 seem to do that. I wouldn't take any of those guys over Greene/porter who likely had less tackles (didn't look)

But. LT is a lot better then them and can do much more. I hope we get to see more of it
I'd still rate woodley a bit higher...if I had to grade them out I'd say

Debo 9.5
Woodley 8.5
Timmons 8

Not dissing him. Just think lamaar is a bit better.

All I have to say is take a look at those 3 linebackers and then think what a great problem to have. We, at Steeler Nation, are extremely spoiled ... and I love it.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Stevenson Sylvester Talks With Steelers Chronicle

Posted by Tom Jenkins May 18, 2011



Earlier tonight, Steelers Chronicle made a new, very important friend. He is, of course, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and to narrow it down a little more, part of one of the most complete linebacking corps in the NFL today. That man is Stevenson Sylvester.

Tom Jenkins: What was the reason that you chose #55, and have you drawn any comparisons to former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter because of it?
Stevenson Sylvester: I was originally assigned #47, and I really liked it because it’s sort of an unusual number for a linebacker, that was the number I wore in the pre-season. But, in a nod to Mel Blount, I was given an option between #52 and #55 and chose 55, because my initials are SS and 55 and SS are very similar.As far as comparisons to Joey Porter, not really outside of good natured jokes from the guys, but it’s funny seeing a bunch of #55 jerseys around here, and hoping that they say Sylvester on the back of them.

TJ: During the pre-season last year, you had a fantastic game against the New York Giants, impressing Steelers Linebackers Coach Keith Butler, high praise from a man that has coached some of the best in the business, how did that feel?
SS: Coach Butler is a really cool guy, I wasn’t really doing anything out of the ordinary though, they gave me the tools and I used them. I’m more thankful for the atmosphere around here, it’s truly a blessing to be around each and everyone of these guys.

TJ: Who has helped you out the most since being drafted?
SS: I can’t really single out any one person, because everyone has always been there when I needed help, everyone was willing to work with me on anything I needed. Larry Foote and James Farrior have helped me tremendously though.

TJ: The Steelers are always known for their great linebackers, what do you think the biggest factor in them having such a solid group of guys year in and year out is?
SS: The Steelers have always been known for their linebackers, and that plays into it – a sense of history that we all really take to heart. We know that we, too, have to make our mark on the game, and we all try and show up 100% of the time.

TJ: Do you love playing on special teams as much as you love playing on defense in general?
SS: Well, obviously I love the defensive side of the ball, it’s my passion, but I enjoy special teams as well. It gives me the opportunity to get on the field and show what I’ve got.

TJ: Do you think that being a rookie in the playoffs put more pressure on you? Or by that time does the word rookie kind of lose it’s meaning?
SS: Yes and no, really. Because no one wants to lose a game at the expense of a rookie, but by the time the season’s ¾ of the way done, we’re all just Steelers.

TJ: How hard was it to learn D!ck LeBeau‘s 3-4 defense?
SS: Very, very hard. The amount of techniques that you need to master is staggering, but as long as you put a lot of time into studying the playbook, you’ve got to make an effort to be ambitious enough to try and learn it. Add onto that the fact that he’s coming up with three or four new plays every week, on top of the base defense and it’s what makes the defense so hard for opposing offenses to scheme for us.

TJ: Some of the players like to keep certain game balls from pivotal plays (their first sack, forced fumble, etc.) what specific event are you waiting for to keep one of those?
SS My first touchdown, I’m definitely keeping that one.

TJ: There’s talk around Steeler Nation about you being the next in line for veteran James Farrior‘s starting spot, once he retires, do you feel that you’re ready to take on that role?
SS: Right now, I’m really just trying to learn as much as I can from James and the rest of the guys, and despite what anyone says, he hasn’t lost a step, he’s still as good as he always was, he’s one of those guys that flies under the radar, because he’s been doing his job. That being said, if and when the opportunity arises, and my number is called – I’ll be ready.

TJ: Your mother is not only your mother, but described by you as your ‘toughest coach’, what’s that been like during your sporting career?
SS: I’ve never seen a woman who knows the inner workings of football so well, she could easily coach at any level if she wanted to. I still remember when I’d play basketball, she’d be behind the bench yelling over the coach, telling me what to do. It’s really hard to point to one specific thing that she’s told me, because they’ve all helped so much.

TJ: What do you feel are your biggest strengths on the field?
SS: I think my knowledge of the game is a definite strength, especially for my age, I really feel like I understand opposing offenses very well. I learn easily and I’m versatile, so I feel that I’m doing very well for this point in my career. Anytime Coach Butler is missing a position in practice, he pretty much just says ‘Sly – get in there!’.

TJ: If you had the ultimate choice, would you rather play inside or outside linebacker?
SS: I’ll play anywhere I’m asked and anywhere I can help the team, but if I had the choice I’d pick inside.

TJ: What have you been doing to keep in good shape during the NFL lockout?
SS: I just got done with my eight week training course on Friday, so right now I’m working out once a day and studying my playbook. If the lockout continues, I’ll be heading back to my personal trainers, who are really great people, to start the process over again.

TJ: Are there any plans to get the team together to work out together, or anything along those lines?
SS: Defensively, not really. I’m sure the offensive guys will get together because timing is so important in that aspect of the game, but I haven’t heard anything about it yet.

TJ: Have you reached out to any of the rookies from this year’s class to welcome them to the team?
SS: Not yet, I haven’t really had any way to get a hold of them. But, I’m really excited to see what they can bring to the table, hopefully they’ll be ready to step up if their number is called, like my rookie class did for the team last year when called upon.

TJ: Speaking of rookies that had to step up, Ben Roethlisberger is a prime example of that, what’s the thought process when you’re lined up opposite of a big, mobile quarterback who can run like the wind?
SS: I’m just glad we don’t have to tackle him.

TJ: What’s the best part about being a Pittsburgh Steeler?
SS: The fact that the fans are everywhere. The support from literally all over the world is staggering. There are so many fans that travel everywhere for this team, and we really appreciate all of them.

TJ: When you’re not preparing for games, keeping in shape, or studying your playbook, what do you do with your ‘relax’ time?
SS: I’m a big movie guy, but other than that, I like to be with my family, and just relax.

TJ: You opened the door, so, what’s your favorite movie
SS: I don’t know, I don’t want you to laugh at me.

TJ: You’re talking to a guy who can quote Bring It On word for word.
SS: *After prolonged laughter. I really like Will Ferrell’s movies, and watched She’s Out Of My League recently, but my favorite would have to be an Eddie Murphy classic – Norbit.

TJ: Who do you think is the best Steelers linebacker of all time?
SS: There’s really no right answer to that, because so many guys have done so many things in so many different ways, it’s hard to compare them. You’ve got guys like Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Robin Cole, Levon Kirkland, and even James Farrior.

TJ: What player(s) did you grow up watching, and wanting to be like?
SS: James Farrior, I grew up wanting to learn from him, wanting to be mentored by him, and now I get to do that every day.

TJ: You have a lot of respect for James, giving him a lot of love during this conversation, we’ll have to show him this and get him to buy you a steak dinner or something.
SS: Haha, yeah. He’d probably make me pay for it, though, he just reminded me about a month ago that I’m still a rookie.

TJ: Thanks a lot for you time, Sly, Steelers Chronicle and myself are proud to call you a friend!
SS: No problem, I really enjoyed it. I love all of the fans we have as a team and I’ll do anything I can for them.

As you can tell from the interview, Sly as he’s called, has the utmost respect not only for his current teammates, but also for Steelers history. He knows where this team came from, and he’s determined to be a part of where it’s going. The respect he has for James Farrior was obvious, and he talked of him as if they’d known each other for years.

Remember to check out his website, Sly55.com, where you can find out more about his life, including reading his blog, and also get any updates on the charity work that he plans on doing in the future.

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[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: The Steelers LB Situation: Taking It One Year At A Time

Tom Jenkins: What was the reason that you chose #55, and have you drawn any comparisons to former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter because of it?
Stevenson Sylvester: I was originally assigned #47, and I really liked it because it’s sort of an unusual number for a linebacker, that was the number I wore in the pre-season. But, in a nod to Mel Blount, I was given an option between #52 and #55 and chose 55, because my initials are SS and 55 and SS are very similar.As far as comparisons to Joey Porter, not really outside of good natured jokes from the guys, but it’s funny seeing a bunch of #55 jerseys around here, and hoping that they say Sylvester on the back of them.

52? As far as I know, Webby's number has not been given out since he retired. Although Ernie Stautner's 70 is the only number that has been officially retired, there have been several that have been "unofficially" retired, such as 12, 32, 52, 58, 75, etc.

I was also impressed when Sly brought up the name Robin Cole, who retired the year before Stephenson Sylvester was born. The young'uns tend to know about Hall of Famers like Lambert and Ham, but guys like Cole sometimes slip through the cracks. Way to know your Steeler history, 55!