Stop trying to defend Woodley

[BigRob]

He has been pathetic. Period. End of discussion.

What’s my point, you ask? LaMarr Woodley is my point.

Woodley has been one of the most dominant pass rushers over the past three seasons (35 sacks) along with being just as stout of a run stuffer.

Dick LeBeau once told me the reason why the Steelers are so difficult to run against is because it’s very difficult to move Woodley out of the way in order to do so.

That’s what makes what happened on Sunday against Houston so disturbing.

Woodley was once again a non-factor on defense, and it wasn’t because he was dropping into coverage, was getting double teamed, or facing an All-Pro tackle.

Woodley was relegated a non-factor by the likes of … wait for it … TIGHT ENDS!!!

Out of the 54 defensive snaps Woodley participated in Sunday, 25 times he was blocked by a tight end one-on-one – and got his butt whipped each and every time.

Either Owen Daniels or Joel Dreesen locked onto Woodley and drove him out of the play time and time again, and as illustrated earlier, that should NEVER happen to a stud like Woodley.

Houston was so comfortable allowing either Daniel or Dreesen to take Woodley out of the play, the last six series of the game, he was blocked by tackle Eric Winston only twice.

Here’s the breakdown of what Woodley did:

25 times blocked by a tight end.
12 times by an offensive lineman.
8 times he dropped into coverage.
8 times he went unblocked.
1 time he was double-teamed.

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[NW Steeler]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

If we ever do move to a 4-3 ..... and after the way this year is unfolding along with the age of our KEY 3-4 components and the way we have drafted over the past few years it may actually come to fruition....I wonder how Wood would perform as a pass rushing DE in the 4-3.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

Who is defending Woodley?

[steelblood]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

I guess you (er Kaboly) told us. Now, all of the us Woodley apologists don't have a leg to stand on. Wait, I don't remember any Woodley defenders. Who are you arguing with?

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

Who is defending Woodley?

exactly, I can't think of one single poster on this board who believes Woodley is earning his $ so far this season.

[BigRob]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

Who is defending Woodley?

exactly, I can't think of one single poster on this board who believes Woodley is earning his $ so far this season.

I respect Dee Dub's opinion, but he has argued its how the scheme is being used and not Woodley himself. Its simply not because we aren't sending him after the QB as this article illustrates. I know the vast majority of fans agree, but some are still defending.

[papillon]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

Who is defending Woodley?

exactly, I can't think of one single poster on this board who believes Woodley is earning his $ so far this season.

I will say that Woodley is earning his money. He's showing up for work every day, so, he's earning his money. The Steelers chose to pay him large sums of money. That being said, he is playing poorly and doesn't appear to be worth the money the Steelers spent; but he's "earning" the money, just the same as you and I do every day we go to work.

Pappy

[fezziwig]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

I do believe the edge of intensity or desire to perform as much after a player gets a big contract shows up in their play or lack of play.

I read a study that, after an employee receives a raise, they give extra effort on an average of two weeks and then they're back to their normal performance. I know it wasn't evaluated with pro football players but, people are all still the same.

[williar]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

What's wrong with people defending Woodley? Their are plenty of people who defend Ben and his pathetic play....

[feltdizz]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

I wasn't a fan of resigning Woodley to big money. Back when this was being discussed I always felt like Woodley was all or nothing. He is like Santonio Holmes. He may show up in the playoffs but you will have 5 to 6 games during the season where he is MIA.

Woodley will probably end up with 10 or 11 sacks but they will come in bunches. Quick question though, isn't Woodley on Aaron Smith's side? If so I think that may have something to do with his lack of production. Smith is getting pancaked and its hard to fill a gap when the DE isn't holding his ground or getting penetration.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

It would make sense that Smiths decline may in fact be affecting Woodley, especially in the run game. But when he gets a chance to rush the QB he gets blocked by TE's that Harrison runs straight through. And man does Woodley look slow when he is trailing a play. I hope he turns his season around, and fast.

[williar]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

I wasn't a fan of resigning Woodley to big money. Back when this was being discussed I always felt like Woodley was all or nothing. He is like Santonio Holmes. He may show up in the playoffs but you will have 5 to 6 games during the season where he is MIA.

Woodley will probably end up with 10 or 11 sacks but they will come in bunches. Quick question though, isn't Woodley on Aaron Smith's side? If so I think that may have something to do with his lack of production. Smith is getting pancaked and its hard to fill a gap when the DE isn't holding his ground or getting penetration.

To be honest, I wasn't either or Troy either for that matter. I just trusted our FO on these signings. Woodley looks the part but he just doesn't make enough plays for me. For his contract I would expect him to be a shade below Terrell Suggs. I don't see that kind of relentless instensity from him.

[snarky]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

If the discussion is over, why start a thread?

Just curious.

[NorthCoast]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

I wasn't a fan of resigning Woodley to big money. Back when this was being discussed I always felt like Woodley was all or nothing. He is like Santonio Holmes. He may show up in the playoffs but you will have 5 to 6 games during the season where he is MIA.

Woodley will probably end up with 10 or 11 sacks but they will come in bunches. Quick question though, isn't Woodley on Aaron Smith's side? If so I think that may have something to do with his lack of production. Smith is getting pancaked and its hard to fill a gap when the DE isn't holding his ground or getting penetration.

Definitely could be part of the answer. Living in Brownsland I was listening to a radio interview with LB Fujita on the Browns. They asked him why D'Qwell Jackson's play had improved so much this season and he said it was the addition massive DT Phil Taylor in front of him. So yeah, when the line does their job it makes the LB's job easier.

[Oviedo]

Re: Stop trying to defend Woodley

If we ever do move to a 4-3 ..... and after the way this year is unfolding along with the age of our KEY 3-4 components and the way we have drafted over the past few years it may actually come to fruition....I wonder how Wood would perform as a pass rushing DE in the 4-3.

I've always said Woodley would be a better 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB. Put him at DE and pin his ears back going after the QB and not worrying about dropping into coverage...he would be great.