Larry Foote

[steelblood]

Re: Larry Foote

IMO Foote has been underappreciated for a long time, and has played very well so far this year.

Solid but unspectacular is how I have always described him.

Very good description of Foote. I've always said that he is the type of guy that knows his role on the defense, filling it competently, and allowing the playmakers to make plays. This year, I'd say that he's probably playing a bit better than that. He's always been solid -- this year, he is a bit above solid.

I don't think Timmons starts this year unless Foote or Farrior get injured. I think that Timmons will still rotate in, and I think that the rotation has been fairly effective so far, and will continue to be.

How can you keep a playmaker like Timmons out of the starting line-up? Out of the LBs he has the greatest closing speed I've ever seen. The guy is a stud and I think once he cracks the starting line-up, Our LBs corps will make some serious noise.

I agree with you about his athelticism. But, he has always been, even in college, slow to react and diagnose plays. He is also weak at the POA. Lineman often eat him for lunch. Foote is not the quickest or most stout, but he is smarter, takes on blockers better, and makes better decisions and more effective first steps. Now, you may suggest that all Timmons needs is more experience. This is true and would certainly help. But, even at Florida State, Timmons had a reputation for often being the last player to react to a play. This is why I'm still confused about why we moved this guy inside. It seems like fighting through trash and reading plays are his weak points. But, running and chasing are his strong points. He is undersized for a 3-4 backer (inside or out), but his skill set screams outside.

[ANPSTEEL]

Re: Larry Foote

IMO Foote has been underappreciated for a long time, and has played very well so far this year.

Solid but unspectacular is how I have always described him.

Very good description of Foote. I've always said that he is the type of guy that knows his role on the defense, filling it competently, and allowing the playmakers to make plays. This year, I'd say that he's probably playing a bit better than that. He's always been solid -- this year, he is a bit above solid.

I don't think Timmons starts this year unless Foote or Farrior get injured. I think that Timmons will still rotate in, and I think that the rotation has been fairly effective so far, and will continue to be.

How can you keep a playmaker like Timmons out of the starting line-up? Out of the LBs he has the greatest closing speed I've ever seen. The guy is a stud and I think once he cracks the starting line-up, Our LBs corps will make some serious noise.

I agree with you about his athelticism. But, he has always been, even in college, slow to react and diagnose plays. He is also weak at the POA. Lineman often eat him for lunch. Foote is not the quickest or most stout, but he is smarter, takes on blockers better, and makes better decisions and more effective first steps. Now, you may suggest that all Timmons needs is more experience. This is true and would certainly help. But, even at Florida State, Timmons had a reputation for often being the last player to react to a play. This is why I'm still confused about why we moved this guy inside. It seems like fighting through trash and reading plays are his weak points. But, running and chasing are his strong points. He is undersized for a 3-4 backer (inside or out), but his skill set screams outside.

it is interesting that you say this-

i have wondered what their intent was with timmmons...

if you look at the way he plays... he seems best suited for a 4-3 where he could realistically play either inside or out- (although - he may not be strong enough against the run to play MLB even in a 3-4... time will tell)

in a 3-4 if he is playing inside- he would seem to be better suited to play the SAM in the steeler's scheme- or the weak side OLB.

since the steelers have maintained the 3-4

my best guess...

-they didn't expect Harrison to play at the level he has- and intended him to be outside
-farrior's level of play has stayed consistent and they resigned him.

so now they have to find a way to get their 1st round pick on the field.

clearly, the weak point in the steelrs linebacking group is Foote playing on passing downs... so there you go.

[phillyesq]

Re: Larry Foote

How can you keep a playmaker like Timmons out of the starting line-up? Out of the LBs he has the greatest closing speed I've ever seen. The guy is a stud and I think once he cracks the starting line-up, Our LBs corps will make some serious noise.

I don't want to keep him off the field, but I'm not sure that he has earned his way into the starting lineup. Neither Foote nor Farrior deserve to be benched -- they have played outstanding.

Timmons has great athleticism, but he has some problems in his game. On the goal line play where he got trucked, I'm not sure that Foote or Farrior make the stop, either, but I think that they make it a closer play.

When Woodley was in the game last year, he made plays. The Steelers couldn't keep him out of the lineup. Timmons needs to get to that same point. Early in the Ravens game, he almost made a pick on an outside route -- he likely would have taken it to the house. Instead, he missed the pick, and the Ravens scored. He is getting close, but I think that he needs to start making plays before you can push Foote or Farrior aside.

[frankthetank1]

Re: Larry Foote

How can you keep a playmaker like Timmons out of the starting line-up? Out of the LBs he has the greatest closing speed I've ever seen. The guy is a stud and I think once he cracks the starting line-up, Our LBs corps will make some serious noise.

I don't want to keep him off the field, but I'm not sure that he has earned his way into the starting lineup. Neither Foote nor Farrior deserve to be benched -- they have played outstanding.

Timmons has great athleticism, but he has some problems in his game. On the goal line play where he got trucked, I'm not sure that Foote or Farrior make the stop, either, but I think that they make it a closer play.

When Woodley was in the game last year, he made plays. The Steelers couldn't keep him out of the lineup. Timmons needs to get to that same point. Early in the Ravens game, he almost made a pick on an outside route -- he likely would have taken it to the house. Instead, he missed the pick, and the Ravens scored. He is getting close, but I think that he needs to start making plays before you can push Foote or Farrior aside.

i didnt really fault timmons for not making that catch. that was a very very hard ball for any lb to catch. most lb'ers in the nfl wouldnt make that catch. it was excellent coverage though

[AngryAsian]

Re: Larry Foote

How can you keep a playmaker like Timmons out of the starting line-up? Out of the LBs he has the greatest closing speed I've ever seen. The guy is a stud and I think once he cracks the starting line-up, Our LBs corps will make some serious noise.

I don't want to keep him off the field, but I'm not sure that he has earned his way into the starting lineup. Neither Foote nor Farrior deserve to be benched -- they have played outstanding.

Timmons has great athleticism, but he has some problems in his game. On the goal line play where he got trucked, I'm not sure that Foote or Farrior make the stop, either, but I think that they make it a closer play.

When Woodley was in the game last year, he made plays. The Steelers couldn't keep him out of the lineup. Timmons needs to get to that same point. Early in the Ravens game, he almost made a pick on an outside route -- he likely would have taken it to the house. Instead, he missed the pick, and the Ravens scored. He is getting close, but I think that he needs to start making plays before you can push Foote or Farrior aside.

My statement was rhetorical, brother. I meant to say that with the offensive sets we'll see this year incorporate TEs in extreme (Witten, Cooley, Gates, Winslow, Boss, Heap). With Timmons' athleticism, we get an upgrade in coverage against the TEs.

[phillyesq]

Re: Larry Foote

i didnt really fault timmons for not making that catch. that was a very very hard ball for any lb to catch. most lb'ers in the nfl wouldnt make that catch. it was excellent coverage though

I don't really fault him for not making the catch, either. But making the catch is something that would have helped Timmons make the case to force himself into the starting lineup. The good coverage, with the near miss on the great play, is, IMO, the difference between him forcing himself into the lineup, and continuing in the rotation w/ Foote and Farrior.