Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

[PSU_dropout43]

Speedy Timmons adds new dimension
by Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette

Forget about a competition with Larry Foote. The best battle for Lawrence Timmons was always whether he could close faster on the ball than Troy Polamalu, the original Tasmanian Devil. It was a competition his teammates would like to see. And none of them are ready to discount the 245-pound inside linebacker.

"They're neck and neck," said inside linebacker James Farrior.

"I don't know," cornerback Deshea Townsend said. "It would be close."

In just two years with the Steelers, Timmons' explosiveness and ability to close on a ballcarrier are already the stuff of legend. Now, entering his third season as the first player drafted by Mike Tomlin, he has a chance to showcase his awesome physical ability on a full-time basis, not just as a blitzing, pass-covering linebacker who spent his first two seasons playing mostly in the team's substitution packages (nickel and dime defenses).

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[AngryAsian]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Asian Prediction Number 1:
Starting linebackers sack total for 2009: 50+

[flippy]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Timmons will be the most valuable player on the D.

He'll make everyone better.

We might be on the verge of our best defense we've ever seen in Pittsburgh.

[SteelerSal]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Timmons will be the most valuable player on the D.

He'll make everyone better.

We might be on the verge of our best defense we've ever seen in Pittsburgh.

Last seasons defense was the best I ever saw, IMO.

I'm anxious to see if they can top that.

[ramblinjim]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Best Steelers 'D' ever?

[Oviedo]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Steelers practice notes

August 6, 2009 6:36 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

LATROBE, Pa. -- The AFC North blog spent its first day with the Pittsburgh Steelers for training camp.

Here are some notes and observations from Thursday's practice:

* Starting with some injury news, starting offensive guard Darnell Stapleton is going to have arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday. Depending on the severity, "scopes" can hold a player out anywhere between two to six weeks. The Steelers said they would have more of an update after surgery. But at the very least, Stapleton likely will miss a good portion of training camp and the preseason, which could hurt chemistry on the offensive line. Backup Trai Essex is getting work in Stapleton's place at guard.

* Both receivers Mike Wallace and Limas Sweed looked good in practice Thursday. Sweed used his big body to shield defenders for several catches in team and 7-on-7 drills, and the lightning-quick Wallace looks more polished than I expected for a first-year player.

* University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari was at practice and it turns out he's a big Steelers fan. Players such as Ben Roethlisberger, William Gay and Deshea Townsend all seemed to get a kick out of talking to one of the top college hoops coaches before practice.

* It only took one practice to notice the Steelers are not holding back Lawrence Timmons. Despite playing him at inside linebacker, Timmons was turned loose several times with nice pressures on the quarterback, which is something Pittsburgh didn't do much of last season with Larry Foote.

* Fielding punts Thursday were running back Stefan Logan and receivers Santonio Holmes and Shaun McDonald. All three looked pretty natural.

* Here is some minor but useful info: I asked one of the referees after practice what's the hardest call to make in the NFL. The ref said offensive pass interference. "It does happen, but sometimes it's just too difficult to call," the ref said.

* Backup tailback Rashard Mendenhall seems to have gained his bulk back. After last year's shoulder injury he lost some weight, particularly in his upper body. But Mendenhall looked strong physically and still has his good feet in open space.

I've said that the biggest impact that Timmons will have is the real threat of an inside blitz. Looks like someone was listening. This guy is going to be a monster in LaBeau's scheme.

But I forgot, the "football experts" determined he was a bust already by not making the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

[papillon]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Timmons will be the most valuable player on the D.

He'll make everyone better.

We might be on the verge of our best defense we've ever seen in Pittsburgh.

You're giving an unproven linebacker a lot of credit saying he will make those around him better. One of those around him is the reigning defensive player of the year. I believe the DPoY will be making Timmons better by requiring more than one blocker and Timmons and Woodley will look like the heroes.

Just my take on a guy that hasn't been a full time starter yet.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Asian Prediction Number 1:
Starting linebackers sack total for 2009: 50+

Wow...quite the prediction, considering that the sack total for the entire team last year was 51. The record number of sacks for the team was 55 (in 94 and 01). But you think that Harrison, Farrior, Timmons, and Woodley can break the 50 barrier on their own? Wow. Last year, these four linebackers had 36 sacks between them (Harrison 16, Woodley 11.5, Timmons 5, Farrior 3.5). How do you see those extra 14+ sacks you are predicting being distributed among them?

[feltdizz]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Timmons will be the most valuable player on the D.

He'll make everyone better.

We might be on the verge of our best defense we've ever seen in Pittsburgh.

You're giving an unproven linebacker a lot of credit saying he will make those around him better. One of those around him is the reigning defensive player of the year. I believe the DPoY will be making Timmons better by requiring more than one blocker and Timmons and Woodley will look like the heroes.

Just my take on a guy that hasn't been a full time starter yet.

Pappy

Pappy...

when Harrison had the insane 100 yard INT when he was supposed to blitz..
who put the pressure on Kurt Warner? TIMMONS!!!

I think Timmons will make everyone on the team better.. Gay will too...

when you upgrade it definitely helps by making the O do more...

[feltdizz]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Asian Prediction Number 1:
Starting linebackers sack total for 2009: 50+

Wow...quite the prediction, considering that the sack total for the entire team last year was 51. The record number of sacks for the team was 55 (in 94 and 01). But you think that Harrison, Farrior, Timmons, and Woodley can break the 50 barrier on their own? Wow. Last year, these four linebackers had 36 sacks between them (Harrison 16, Woodley 11.5, Timmons 5, Farrior 3.5). How do you see those extra 14+ sacks you are predicting being distributed among them?

Woodley will get 14 to 15 and Timmons will get 10 or 11... Timmons is a beast...

but I doubt it gets to 50.. but it will be over 42 IMO.

[pfelix73]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

As mentioned in that article, Foote was great at blowing up running plays. I just hope Timmons will be able to do that part of the job as well as Foote did.

[ikestops85]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

As mentioned in that article, Foote was great at blowing up running plays. I just hope Timmons will be able to do that part of the job as well as Foote did.

That's the part of Timmons game that we don't know about yet. If he can do that part of the job like Foote than I agree he will be a beast. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Oviedo]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

As mentioned in that article, Foote was great at blowing up running plays. I just hope Timmons will be able to do that part of the job as well as Foote did.

That's the part of Timmons game that we don't know about yet. If he can do that part of the job like Foote than I agree he will be a beast. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Foote blew up running plays on our side of the line of scrimmage. Timmons will blow up running plays on the opponents side of the line of scrimmage. That will be the biggest difference between the two.

Foote was a "read and react" LB and Timmons is an "attach LB" which means more "splash plays" by Timmons than Foote ever had but it may mean some misses to if he attacks the wrong spot.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

As mentioned in that article, Foote was great at blowing up running plays. I just hope Timmons will be able to do that part of the job as well as Foote did.

That's the part of Timmons game that we don't know about yet. If he can do that part of the job like Foote than I agree he will be a beast. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Foote blew up running plays on our side of the line of scrimmage. Timmons will blow up running plays on the opponents side of the line of scrimmage. That will be the biggest difference between the two.

Foote was a "read and react" LB and Timmons is an "attach LB" which means more "splash plays" by Timmons than Foote ever had but it may mean some misses to if he attacks the wrong spot.

Timmy is definitely an Attack LB! I'll take the occasional overpursuit or whiff because of all the big plays he will make. This D is going to be awesome!

[SteelerSal]

Re: Speedy Timmons adds new dimension

Asian Prediction Number 1:
Starting linebackers sack total for 2009: 50+

Wow...quite the prediction, considering that the sack total for the entire team last year was 51. The record number of sacks for the team was 55 (in 94 and 01). But you think that Harrison, Farrior, Timmons, and Woodley can break the 50 barrier on their own? Wow. Last year, these four linebackers had 36 sacks between them (Harrison 16, Woodley 11.5, Timmons 5, Farrior 3.5). How do you see those extra 14+ sacks you are predicting being distributed among them?

I guess if Harrison wasn't mugged on just about every play last season, this could have been accomplished.