Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

[fordfixer]

Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons could step up in an a "mid-90's Chad Brown way"
July 29, 12:25 Am
Matt Pawlikowski

[url="http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2009m7d29-Steelers-Training-Camp-Lawrence-Timmons-could-step-up-in-a-Derrick-Brooks-way"]http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsbur ... Brooks-way[/url]



When it comes to finding the next great linebacker for the Steelers, the way things have gone for the organization over the years, the security guard in the Press Box might have a chance.

OK, that's stretching it, but its hard to deny that the marquee position for the team is the linebacker slot.

Jack Ham and Jack Lambert are in the Professional football Hall of Fame, and 51 players including current Steelers James Harrison and James Farrior, along with Greg Lloyd, Kevin Green, Robin Cole and Joey Porter have made the Pro Bowl since its inception.Lawrence Timmons

The reason?

"It takes everybody on that field. … But the athletes we've got at the linebacker position enable us to do a lot of the things," Farrior said."We're able to cover, we're able to blitz and we're able to play the run."

Could Lawrence Timmons be next great one?

Timmons showed signs of brilliance last year and one can hope he continues where he left off. In 2008 he played in every game, collecting 65 tackles, including 43 solos, 5 sacks and 1 interception. In Dick LeBeau's scheme, if Timmons continues to progress, fans will soon forget Larry Foote, whose place he takes when camp begins on Saturday.



When the Steelers drafted Timmons, he was just the third linebacker drafted by the Steelers in the first round in franchise history. Following the selection head coach Mike Tomlin had this to say.

"He has some Derrick Brooks qualities," Tomlin said, to the Pro Bowl linebacker."You don't necessarily want to put that on anyone because Brooks is a legendary player, but he runs around and strikes people. He is relentless and he loves the game."

Timmons found time to update his website prior to camp, and you have to love his attitude. He talked about being humble and the camaraderie that is made during the stay in Latrobe.

" It’s time to build that camaraderie, get ready to do our thing for the season," Timmons said. " A lot of people think two-a-days is just grinding, but there’s also some time where guys hang out and get to know each other better.

Two-a-days are like going out in the wilderness with your family. You end up being closer teammates because of it. It’s hard but there’s also a lot of messing around, like guys going to the movies together when you finally get a day off. It’s not like that during the season, each guy has his own life and go their separate ways on days off."

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

The title of the article "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a Derrick Brooks way" is dumb. It all appears to be based off of a comparison of their abilities that Tomlin made when Timmons was drafted way back in 2007 (since Tomlin has experience working with Brooks from their years together in Tampa).

Now, in 2009, should you be comparing a guy who will be starting as a 3-4 ILB to a guy who spent his entire career as a 4-3 OLB? I personally think that it should read something like "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a mid-90's Chad Brown way" instead. They are roughly the same size now that Timmons has put on a few more pounds, and have a lot of the same physical attributes (and both give us a threat of being able to rush the passer from the inside as well as from the edges). Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

The title of the article "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a Derrick Brooks way" is dumb. It all appears to be based off of a comparison of their abilities that Tomlin made when Timmons was drafted way back in 2007 (since Tomlin has experience working with Brooks from their years together in Tampa).

Now, in 2009, should you be comparing a guy who will be starting as a 3-4 ILB to a guy who spent his entire career as a 4-3 OLB? I personally think that it should read something like "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a mid-90's Chad Brown way" instead. They are roughly the same size now that Timmons has put on a few more pounds, and have a lot of the same physical attributes (and both give us a threat of being able to rush the passer from the inside as well as from the edges). Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

Bottomline is that regardless of who you compare him to Timmons is going to be a beast this season. He is going to make it that much harder for opponents to protect the QB because he brings a real threat of a delayed inside blitz that must be accounted for like never before.

I think the biggest thing we will see is that Foote was a classic "read and react" LB because that fit his skillset which was best suited to taking on the offense when they engaged him. Timmons is very different and brings the ability to shoot gaps and attack plays in the backfield from the inside LB position that Foote couldn't do. I anticipate many more "splash" plays with Timmons.

[papillon]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

The title of the article "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a Derrick Brooks way" is dumb. It all appears to be based off of a comparison of their abilities that Tomlin made when Timmons was drafted way back in 2007 (since Tomlin has experience working with Brooks from their years together in Tampa).

Now, in 2009, should you be comparing a guy who will be starting as a 3-4 ILB to a guy who spent his entire career as a 4-3 OLB? I personally think that it should read something like "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a mid-90's Chad Brown way" instead. They are roughly the same size now that Timmons has put on a few more pounds, and have a lot of the same physical attributes (and both give us a threat of being able to rush the passer from the inside as well as from the edges). Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

I read those comments not from a skillset standpoint, but, from an impact standpoiunt and I believe Timmosn could have an impact in the same fashion that Brooks could provide.

Pappy

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

Why not?

He knows who Kevin Green is.



PS....note the missing "e" on the end of Greene

[feltdizz]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

The title of the article "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a Derrick Brooks way" is dumb. It all appears to be based off of a comparison of their abilities that Tomlin made when Timmons was drafted way back in 2007 (since Tomlin has experience working with Brooks from their years together in Tampa).

Now, in 2009, should you be comparing a guy who will be starting as a 3-4 ILB to a guy who spent his entire career as a 4-3 OLB? I personally think that it should read something like "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a mid-90's Chad Brown way" instead. They are roughly the same size now that Timmons has put on a few more pounds, and have a lot of the same physical attributes (and both give us a threat of being able to rush the passer from the inside as well as from the edges). Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

Chad Brown is not on the level of Derrick Brooks.....

Tomlin made a comparison and the guy quoted him...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

The title of the article "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a Derrick Brooks way" is dumb. It all appears to be based off of a comparison of their abilities that Tomlin made when Timmons was drafted way back in 2007 (since Tomlin has experience working with Brooks from their years together in Tampa).

Now, in 2009, should you be comparing a guy who will be starting as a 3-4 ILB to a guy who spent his entire career as a 4-3 OLB? I personally think that it should read something like "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a mid-90's Chad Brown way" instead. They are roughly the same size now that Timmons has put on a few more pounds, and have a lot of the same physical attributes (and both give us a threat of being able to rush the passer from the inside as well as from the edges). Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

Chad Brown is not on the level of Derrick Brooks.....

Tomlin made a comparison and the guy quoted him...

I have no problem that he quoted Tomlin's Brooks comparison. I just didn't think that a quote that is more than 2 years old should have been the basis for the title of the article. And Chad Brown is a better comparison more than 2 years later because Timmons plays the positon that Chad played in this same defense.

Chad had 30 sacks in 4 years as a Steeler (the first time around...I'm not counting the 2006 comeback here, even though he got 1 sack as a backup for us that year too). Granted, his big 13 sack season (that resulted in the big offer from Seattle) happened when he moved outside when Lloyd was injured, but getting 3, 8.5, and 5.5 sacks as an ILB in the Steelers 3-4 is something that I think Timmons would be capable of, if they use him to his abilities.

[feltdizz]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

The title of the article "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a Derrick Brooks way" is dumb. It all appears to be based off of a comparison of their abilities that Tomlin made when Timmons was drafted way back in 2007 (since Tomlin has experience working with Brooks from their years together in Tampa).

Now, in 2009, should you be comparing a guy who will be starting as a 3-4 ILB to a guy who spent his entire career as a 4-3 OLB? I personally think that it should read something like "Lawrence Timmons could step up in a mid-90's Chad Brown way" instead. They are roughly the same size now that Timmons has put on a few more pounds, and have a lot of the same physical attributes (and both give us a threat of being able to rush the passer from the inside as well as from the edges). Of course, the guy who wrote this article probably has no idea who Chad Brown is.

Chad Brown is not on the level of Derrick Brooks.....

Tomlin made a comparison and the guy quoted him...

I have no problem that he quoted Tomlin's Brooks comparison. I just didn't think that a quote that is more than 2 years old should have been the basis for the title of the article. And Chad Brown is a better comparison more than 2 years later because Timmons plays the positon that Chad played in this same defense.

Chad had 30 sacks in 4 years as a Steeler (the first time around...I'm not counting the 2006 comeback here, even though he got 1 sack as a backup for us that year too). Granted, his big 13 sack season (that resulted in the big offer from Seattle) happened when he moved outside when Lloyd was injured, but getting 3, 8.5, and 5.5 sacks as an ILB in the Steelers 3-4 is something that I think Timmons would be capable of, if they use him to his abilities.

i hear you... but i don't mind the comparison..

[flippy]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

Timmons has a chance to be the best......

Or just a Brett Keisel, who I also had huge expectations for.....

Brett is becoming one of the best 3-4 DEs, but when he took over as a starter, I fully expect 10+ sacks / year every year and a revolution of the 3-4 DE position with his size / speed combo.

There's a big difference in playing every down.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

Timmons has a chance to be the best......

Or just a Brett Keisel, who I also had huge expectations for.....

Brett is becoming one of the best 3-4 DEs, but when he took over as a starter, I fully expect 10+ sacks / year every year and a revolution of the 3-4 DE position with his size / speed combo.

There's a big difference in playing every down.

There is also a difference in expectations from a guy picked in the 7th round out of BYU and a guy picked 15th overall from FSU. In my mind, Keisel has already exceeded expectations (as has FWP, Deebo, etc.)

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

expecting 10+ sacks froma 3-4 end is not realistic.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

expecting 10+ sacks froma 3-4 end is not realistic.

It borders on delusional. Aaron Smith who is proabably the best 3-4 De in the league never had better than 8.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

I don't have the numbers for this past season but in 2007, Keisel led the team with 31 QB pressures. That's pretty impressive. People only seem to focus on the fact that his sack total dropped from 5.5 in his first season as a starter in 2006 to 2.0 in his second season as a starter in 2007 (and then to 1.0 sack last year). Guys like Harrison and Woodley are meant to get the sacks in this defense. The fact that Keisel is able to provide consistent pressure, though, shows that he is doing his job.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

he was just the third linebacker drafted by the Steelers in the first round in franchise history.

I found this fact simply astounding.....

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Steelers Training Camp: Lawrence Timmons

For some reason I'm thinking a 2001 Kendrell Bell type season from Timmons this yr. Bell had 9 sacks that year. Re-watching some of the games from last year, Timmons made a bunch of splash plays. I am pumped to see what he can do as a 3 down player.