BTSC Community Projections - LB Lawrence Timmons

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Aug 18, 2008 4:33 PM EDT Comment 32 comments

In the past, I've typically done this highly subjective and just-for-fun exercise with offensive players. Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward - all are players I have done projections for in year's past, mainly because they're the focal point of the offense.

With all the excitement surrounding Lawrence Timmons right now, I thought it might be interesting to see how well some of you guys and gals see him doing this year.

In 2007, Timmons had 11 tackles, and two fumble recoveries. Obviously, he saw very little of the field on defense. For comparison's sake, you can take a look at James Farrior's best years, and see that his top two tackle seasons (only solo tackles counted) were 96 and 85 tackles.

A couple of things about how Timmons' 2008 season might play out. First of all, I think he can wow us and have a major impact on the team without necessarily putting up huge numbers week in and week out. His sheer athleticism in the passing game might make us a better team defense without him intercepting a bunch of passes or cleaning up a gazillion tackles.

I do, however, think there will be a couple of games where Timmons goes off. Maybe a 7 tackle, 2 sack performance on several occasions for example. He just looks that explosive out there running around, and it's entirely evident that he's much, much stronger both in his upper body and his legs this year than last.

2008 Projection:

15 games, 78 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT, 3 Forced Fumbles

Yours?

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Look out

for Lawrence Timmons! Like you Blitz I think he’s headed for a MONSTER year:

16 games, 94 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 int, 3 ff

Timmons is looking so explosive out there, so fast, so strong – I think he’ll hold up all year (knock on wood everybody). I know I know its very, very, early, but wasn’t there once another linebacker with the initials LT? Named Lawrence?

Look out! is all I can say…

by herewegosteelers on Aug 18, 2008 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

15 games, 82 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 pick, 2 forced fumbles

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Aug 18, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

16 games, 80 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INTs, 2 FF

He could run with a WR, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with 4-5 ints this year.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 18, 2008 5:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

15 games, 75 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 ints, 3 FF

I just dont think he will be in there every down. Foote will still see alot of the field, so that will probably take away from Timmons totals. If he were in there every snap i would be willing to bet he would end up our top tackler. Either way, im expecting us to finally unleash the freak on the rest of the league. Hes been caged up long enough.

by SteelerDomination on Aug 18, 2008 5:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

12 games, 55 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 int, 2 ff

I’m a little surprised at all the Timmons love — Larry Foote’s been a productive player for years. Even if Timmons starts every game (which I doubt), Foote will be in to spell him on some downs. Farrior gets so many tackles because he’s out there every snap.

by zacharai on Aug 18, 2008 5:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

special teams

part of my high tackle number was assuming that he’d pick up 15 or so tackles on special teams

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Aug 18, 2008 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmmmm

I’m gonna go with 13 games started, because it’ll take 3 games to take over Foote’s job, who for some reason seems to be the superior STILL in the Steeler’s eyes. Nothing against Foote but he lacks the dynamic athleticism that Timmons has. It’ll take three games to realize this with Timmons playing as top LB reserve. Once he takes the starting role, he’ll be very good.

Tackles: 85, 71 solo
Sacks: 6.5
Int’s: 3 or 4
FF: 3
Tackles for loss: Whatever is on the upside for an LB, due to his explosive pursuit.

I’ll add on this statement: Our LT will be a hammer to anyone who dares get in his way…

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Aug 18, 2008 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

starts 3 games… slow and inadequate… goes back to special teams and watches Cribbs blow buy him…. STOOLERS SUCK

by stoolerkiller on Aug 18, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

har

1. you are a woody wood pecker
2. you spelled by wrong (buy) – Cribbs will not be purchasing Timmons
3. Stoolers – come on .. seriously.. I don’t think half the people on here would even get that weak weak weak joke..

In any case.. good luck this year. you still have to go through PGH!

by smashmouthsteel on Aug 18, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well assuming you're a brown's fan sk,

you must be crying your heart out right now. the giants made your first team look like a joke, and derek anderson look like mud, and sent him to the locker room early. yea good luck cause you’re gonna need a hell of a lot of it…

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Aug 18, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blow buy?

Sounds like a drug deal. Of course, with Cribb’s hurt ankle, he might limp buy Timmons, if he did it really quietly.

by betelgeuse on Aug 19, 2008 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hahahaha!

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Aug 19, 2008 3:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha, I’m already starting to like this poster…

Cribbs is a Pro Bowler; history shows that at least once in a game, he’ll blow by a defense up to near midfield. Almost unstoppable, and a lot of that has to do with our blocking as seen by our second guy (Syndric Steptoe) absolutely ripping the Giants kick coverage last night.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 19, 2008 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

You guys looked great last night. Eric Wright looks solid. Certainly not a gambler like Bodden was.

by BadMaafala on Aug 19, 2008 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You clowns are funny

I guess you didn’t watch your clowns last night!! I had a good laugh. Or did you just watch garbage time when your 1st team was no longer on the field. Oh wait, your first team WAS on the field during garbage time!! LOL

The clowns and bungles will be fighting to 3rd place in the AFC North. Dallas says thank you for the high 2009 draft pick. LAMO

by vin2k on Aug 19, 2008 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree! LAMO! ;)

I’m glad Dallas is saying thank you for a third-round draft pick too.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 19, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giants didnt even have their starting 3 wide receivers

Browns fans better hope that the hype surrounding their defensive line matches their productivity. Even though they were without Rogers last night, the Browns pass rush was inept and their secondary could not cover the Giants backup wide receivers. The Browns better hope that Cribbs goes off again this year because he was the only thing that kept them in the 2nd game against the Steelers last year.

by bradyquinnsclipboard on Aug 19, 2008 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool username.

I’ll save some more of my thoughts on the Browns when Michael (Blitzburgh) finally sets up that interview with me. We need to do it soon ;) Or, of course, you can read my breakdown of the game over at DBN.

Sorry; supposed to be a Lawrence Timmons thread and not a hijacked Cleveland Browns discussion :p Blitz, I think your projections are a tad too high. Maybe half the sacks (3 or 4) would be my projection — tackles and the rest are fine by me.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Aug 19, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

could be right

THose tackle numbers could very well be in the 50s. He’ll have a few games with only 1 or 2 tackles I’d imagine, and to get to 70+, he’ll need a few big games. I’ll email you right now Chris about an interview.

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Aug 19, 2008 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know what the numbers will be

But for the first time in a long while hopefully we’ll be able to cover TE’s and RB’s.

by BadMaafala on Aug 18, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Timmons can't pass up Foote on the depth chart...

then Deshea better watch himself and his starting CB position, forget McFadden as the competition. Timmons is so fast, he can easily run with WR’s on every play!!
All kidding aside, LT is a beast. He looks determined to crack the starting ILB spot. It’s not that poor Larry Foote isn’t doing enough to uphold his job, it’s just that LT is playing out of his mind right now and is letting his natural talent out of the shell. We have only scratched the surface with Timmons, he is only 22. Once he learns and gets a few more years under his belt he may be a top five LB in the entire NFL.
70 total tackles. (12 special teams tackles)
3 INT
4.5 sacks
2 FF’s
1 defensive TD.
His stats won’t reflect on paper what he brings to this team’s defense as a whole.
I think next year he will have his Pro-Bowl year, this year will be learning experience and his chance to show what he can really do.

by iBleedBlack&Gold on Aug 19, 2008 3:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Have not seen him in action

:( Unfortunately, I have not seen a sigle pre-season game. Will get my first chance this Saturday night and can’t wait to see Timmons in action. Is he really looking that good this year???

by vin2k on Aug 19, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yup

…crushing the QB, covering a WR to the corner of the endzone, closing in the flat like a missile, stuffing the ball carrier up the middle, subbing for injured Troy at safety (NOT linebacker) in the dime, making tackles on special teams.

This kid is quiet, humble, and, EXPLOSIVE. LT, as in Lawrence…

by herewegosteelers on Aug 19, 2008 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll agree with all of that

other than stuffing the ball carrier up the middle

by BadMaafala on Aug 19, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw him stuff a runner up front in one of the games, albeit once, want to see more for sure, I think you will.

by herewegosteelers on Aug 19, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I may have missed that

But I would like to see him attack blockers in the running game instead of trying to get around them. He’s not the only playmaker on defense. If he can hold his ground, there won’t be as much space to run.

by BadMaafala on Aug 19, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Point well taken. I think you will see Timmons taking on blocks, and shedding them.

With his ability Timmons will only become more and more disruptive in this defense this year IMO as he gets more reps and experience under his belt.

He has GREAT mentors all around him with Farrior and Foot. I understand Harrison has really been working with him this summer. Harrison is stepping up as a leader on the D, no one will ever forget his performance in Baltimore (or Ben’s record tying 5 TD’s in the 1st half). There are a handful of players on the team who show up every game, Harrison is one of them. If Woodley and Timmons follow Farrior and Harrison – look out!

by herewegosteelers on Aug 19, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lying in the weeds

I’m not so good at projecting numbers but I feel certain that the emergence of Timmons will be one of the big stories in the league this year. On the level of Merriman or better. So far Foote has performed his job to perfection, and has not ‘lost’. This is part of the coaching staff’s respect for his professionalism and the fact that they don’t want to necessarily tip off to the rest of the league what they are about to unlease. There will be times this year when the Gang of Five; Timmons, Woodley, Farrior, Harrison and Troy will terrorize some of the best offenses in the league.

One man’s opinion

by RickVa on Aug 19, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Merriman or better, huhn… Okay, now that’s saying something. What a pick. Tomlin’s first, not bad, eh?!

Everyone’s so concerned about the line, and yes we need talented youth there. But with the vets – Smith, Hampton, Keisel – and the rotation, we’ll do more than well enough for these young lbs to do their thing.

Okay we’ve seen some penetration to the 2nd level during the preseason but when the regular season starts with Houston Hampton will be fired up unlike anything we’ve seen in two years, bank on it. Smith is a stud – most UNDERRATED Steeler along with Timmons and Mendenhall, and Keisel will get 6 sacks this year.

And oh yeah, the staff IS professional, what a hire of Tomlin by the Rooneys.

here we go…

by herewegosteelers on Aug 19, 2008 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm..

This can be hit or miss. Assuming Foote is replaced by Timmons in the near future my guess will be 15 games, 71 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 2 Ints, 1 FF.

If he doesn’t surpass Foote I will go with 13 games, 47 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 Int, 1 FF.

by shleeve on Aug 19, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thank you all

For participating. I know that randomly picking numbers is fairly ridiculous, and it’s why I make that disclaimer in each and every projection post. It’s just for fun, and we’ll laugh at ourselves if we were wrong, and pat ourselves on the back excessively when we are right.

I agree with all the aforementioned objective comments, but I appreciate some of u guys throwing some numbers out there too. We’ll look back at them at a later date.

Cheers

by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Aug 20, 2008 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Couple of factors

I think it might still take a while for them to put Timmons in place over Foote. I think that teams will be forced to take him into account by the end of the year, which could see the action moving away from him. Plus, we make the playoffs, and he could be rested the last game.

15 games, 62 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 Forced Fumbles.

On the other hand, he might be lost from the team for awhile when in week 2 he has to have the newly minted starter Brady Quinn surgically removed from his helmet as he skewers him right through.

by SCSteeler on Aug 20, 2008 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs