Position preview: Outside linebacker

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Position preview: Outside linebacker

July, 16, 2014
By Scott Brown | ESPN.com

Next in a series that looks at every position on offense and defense with training camp approaching, we take a look at the Steelers' outside linebackers.

Returning starters: Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones. Worilds led the Steelers with eight sacks last season and finally enters a season entrenched as a starter. Jones, who started eight games as a rookie, is expected to make a big jump in his second season.

New faces: Arthur Moats, Jordan Zumwalt and Howard Jones. Moats signed a one-year, $795,000 contract after spending his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers took Zumwalt with the first of their two sixth-round picks in the NFL draft and signed Jones as an undrafted free agent.

On the bubble: Chris Carter. The former fifth-round pick hasn’t been much more than a special-teams contributor in his first three seasons and is still in search of his first NFL sack. One thing that bodes well for Carter is that linebackers coach Keith Butler singled him out for praise during offseason practices.

By the numbers: The outside linebackers on the Steelers’ roster have 24 career sacks --18 of those belonging to Worilds.

Did you know: Moats ended one of the greatest streaks in NFL history with a jarring hit that knocked quarterback Brett Favre out of a 2010 game with a shoulder injury. Favre missed the Minnesota Vikings’ next game, ending his consecutive games played streak at 297.

Quotable: “Pass rush is all [about] believing that you can beat the guy and execute your craft. You’ve got to work on it. You just can’t go out there and not do pass rush during the week and go out there and expect to get a sack on Sunday. It’s not that easy, so you have to really work.” – defensive assistant Joey Porter, who recorded 60 sacks while playing for the Steelers from 1999-2006.

Outlook: Significant improvement on defense hinges on the Steelers getting a consistent pass rush from their outside linebackers. They need Worilds to build on what he did in the second half of last season and for Jones to come into his own as a pass-rusher. Moats is a solid reserve but the Steelers don’t have much depth at outside linebacker. Fans would love for the Steelers to re-sign James Harrison but that is unlikely – at least before the start of training camp.

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/7579/position-preview-outside-linebacker[/URL]

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Versatile linebacker Moats getting up to speed with Steelers

By Ralph N. Paulk
Wednesday, July 16, 2014



Dick LeBeau watched with angst last season as age and injuries left the Steelers defense vulnerable to open-field runners and game-breaking receivers.

The venerable defensive coordinator had to come to grips with the reality that the Steelers lacked sufficient speed to slow down the likes of Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Detroit's Calvin Johnson.

In a league in which speed is a necessity, the Steelers were lagging.

The Steelers discovered speed during the NFL Draft and in the free agent market. They landed Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round and signed two free agents: free safety Mike Mitchell and linebacker Arthur Moats.

“We had as good of an OTA (organized team activities) session as I've been a part of,” LeBeau said. “I'm excited about where we are.”

Mostly, LeBeau is excited about an infusion of speed. With Shazier, Moats, second-year linebacker Jarvis Jones and a healthy Cortez Allen at one corner, the Steelers are capable of recovering from missed tackles and blown assignments.

Moats, who played with the Buffalo Bills the past four seasons, is among the Steelers' most intriguing offseason acquisitions. He is a fast, versatile linebacker with immeasurable energy and an uncanny ability to adapt, considering he played for three defensive coordinators in Buffalo.

“I feel I bring a lot of versatility being able to play inside and out,” said Moats, who played mostly on the outside during minicamp. “At the same time, I know what it takes to be a part of the defense that has had success.”

The James Madison product, playing alongside linebacker Kiko Alonso, helped the Bills finish fourth in total defense in the AFC last season. But he had only 54 combined tackles — 105 less than Alonso.

The Steelers needed help at linebacker after the departure of LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison and Larry Foote the past two years. Moats considered other options, but he said the Steelers were an easy pick.

“I wanted a situation where I could contribute immediately and compete for a starting job,” Moats said. “I understand my role, so when I saw all the losses at linebacker, I was prepared to jump at the opportunity because I think we had a mutual interest.

“I wanted to come here, and they wanted me.

“It's an honor to be a part of a legacy and tradition of great linebackers. You definitely want to advance it further.”

While Moats can make the transition from outside to inside linebacker, he already has made an impression on special teams, a unit that often was as inconsistent as the defense during last season's 8-8 campaign.

“The Steelers have had a lot of success, and I'm confident they have the talent to compete for another championship,” Moats said. “They're trying to get over that little stumble they've had recently, and I'm sure I can help.

“I feel like my situation in Buffalo helped me a lot, including having three different defensive coordinators. I can't come out here half-stepping, so I'll be ready when camp starts.”

The Steelers are scheduled to report to training camp July 25 at St. Vincent. The first scheduled practice is July 26.

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#ixzz37iMAcwMD[/URL]

[sick beats]

Another brilliant analysis. Let's break it down. OLBs - Worilds, JJ, a bunch of nobodies who we will be in a world of hurt if they have to play. Moats will probably be serviceable. There, end of preview. I hope Worilds and JJ are gonna perform the gas pedal on opponents. Smash em up. Totally dope and fresh.

[hawaiiansteel]

James C Wexell @jimwexell:

“@math_rioux: how did Jarvis Jones looked?” Very good. Whipped 68 in one on ones.

“@jessran1970: @sportsfan_Steve Wex, did you get a chance to see Moats on outside?” Moats looked terrific today. Biggest surprise.

[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora ·

Chris Carter got a lot of first team reps over Jarvis last 11 on 11. Not sure why

[URL]https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora[/URL]

[papillon]

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora ·

Chris Carter got a lot of first team reps over Jarvis last 11 on 11. Not sure why

[URL]https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora[/URL]

Carter must have pictures of Lebeau with a hooker or Tomlin and a mistress. Why on earth would he be taking reps from Jones?

Pappy

[hawaiiansteel]

Butler breaks down the linebackers

By Mike Prisuta

Linebackers coach Keith Butler is excited about Moats and glad to have Timmons

LATROBE, Pa. – The Steelers have No. 1 draft picks aplenty at linebacker, but position coach Keith Butler is also thankful to have former Buffalo Bills sixth-rounder Arthur Moats available this summer at Saint Vincent College.

“We need him,” Butler said of Moats, a fifth-year pro who signed with the Steelers as a relatively low-profile unrestricted free agent. “We need him in a bad way because of the depth at that (outside linebacker) position. He provides us depth at that position. He’s done well at outside linebacker.”

Moats did well during the much-anticipated backs-on-backers drill that highlighted Monday’s first practice in pads, and then also in the 11-on-11 work that followed.

And while more eyes might have been on 2013 No. 1 pick Jarvis Jones or 2014 top pick Ryan Shazierout on the practice field, Moats’ performance did not go unnoticed or unappreciated in the film room.

“We have a lot of depth inside,” Butler continued. “(Moats) helps us outside in terms of depth. I’m letting Terence Garvin play both (inside and outside). I’m letting (sixth-round pick Jordan) Zumwalt play both a little bit, but right now I feel like we’re better with just keeping Moats outside and let him learn that position.

“I think he’s more adept at that position.”

Butler also offered a quick assessment of the Steelers’ more high-profile starters at the position:

On Jarvis Jones:

“Jarvis looks a lot better. He’s confident in what he’s doing. He’s still making a mistake every now and then, but he’s very sudden, very quick. He’s got great short-area quickness. He just has to learn to keep himself out of positions where he gets in a foot race. I think last year he was doing more thinking than he should have when he came off the ball. He was trying to do what we were requiring him to do in terms of playing within the framework of the defense. I think he knows a little bit more about the framework of the defense this year. He knows what he can do and what he can’t do.”

On Jason Worilds:

“He’s still getting better. He has a lot of talent but Jason has to decide whether he wants to be good or not and he has to do the things he’s got to do to be good, and that’s work his butt off in practice all the time. I think he’s willing to do that. He’s been willing to do that in years past. It’s just now a lot more is on it than it’s been in years past. He wants to do well. He has to do the things in practice that are going to get him where he needs to go.”

On Ryan Shazier:

“He’s quick, and he’s smart. He did a lot of good things pass-rushing when he was at Ohio State. We have some things in there to utilize his blitzing ability along with Lawrence Timmons’ blitzing ability.

On Lawrence Timmons:

“He’s a great example to the young guys around him. He’s always running to the ball. You look at him and (defensive end) Cam Heyward; they’re always running to the ball. No. 50 (Shazier) is starting to pick that up a little bit and run to the ball with them. You turn on the film and you see those guys 30 yards down the field trying to get to the ball, and Lawrence always does that. I’m pleased with him, and I’m glad we have him.”

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Butler-breaks-down-the-linebackers/c39d41f3-cc19-4b7b-a199-a101c21d827f[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

by Ed Bouchette

Carter fighting for his chance

General manager Kevin Colbert named four players in the final years of their contracts who might be targets for extensions this summer.

He did not include outside linebacker Chris Carter, a 2011 fifth-round draft choice entering his fourth and final year under contract. Colbert did not forget to include Carter, they just have no plans to offer him another contract.

Yet Carter could follow in the shoes of Jason Worilds, a linebacker who suddenly put it all together in his fourth and final season.

Carter excelled on special teams throughout his time with the Steelers but became more of an afterthought at outside linebacker after he made little impact filling in for injured James Harrison to start the first two games of the 2012 season.

Since then, they drafted Jarvis Jones in the first round, gave Worilds nearly $10 million to play at least this season after he blossomed in 2013 and signed free agent Arthur Moats from the Buffalo Bills this year.

Those three are ahead of Carter, who is not ready to concede that point.

“They drafted some dudes and invested some money in them,” Carter noted. “That’s just the nature of this business. Not to take anything from those guys, they’re great athletes. I love all my teammates.”

He believes his coaches will keep an open mind about such matters, that if he, say, outplays some others, he will move up, no matter their resume or how much they pay them.

“At the end of the day, winning is winning, production is production, sacks are sacks,” Carter said. “Naturally, they prefer the guys they pay to get them, but at the end of the day, if you get them, you get them.

“It’s similar to the story of James Harrison. He came up and wasn’t getting anything. They really didn’t want to give him a shot, [but] they were forced to. He went out there and shined.”

“I’m doing everything I have to. I’m putting in the time, putting in the work. I grinded this offseason, I feel like I came back in amazing shape, and I’m explosive off the ball. I definitely think they’re noticing some things.

“I’m going to continue to prove to these coaches and the team why I should be here and be able to help these guys.”

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/08/06/On-the-Steelers-Dri-Archer-is-many-things-but-certainly-not-a-rerun/stories/201408060118#ixzz39aBZrBGL[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Bob Labriola @BobLabriola ·

Another day of no practice for Jarvis Jones

Chris Carter in for Jarvis

[URL]https://twitter.com/BobLabriola[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Retweeted by James C Wexell:

Aaron Wilson @RavensInsider ·

James Harrison is on his way to visit the Arizona Cardinals today, according to a league source

[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell[/URL]