Rec from me. He’s been my x-factor since last Monday. I think the Cards may try and do some decoy stuff, sending the Three Amigos deep, and try to open up the underneath stuff with Hightower, James, and the TEs, leaving Timmons as the guy who has to be there. Great post.

I said the same exact thing to my wife and son last night while watching all of the NFL Networks coverage (on DVR). Nobody has really said anything about Timmons on Total Access. He is definitely an X-Factor and can make plays both rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. Not only that, but Timmons and Woodley were nowhere to be found throughout the entire media day. I found that kind of weird.

While everybody continues to gush over Arizona’s offense, it seems that they can’t even fathom that the Steelers will be able to slow them down. And what about the Steelers offense against the Cards? All of a sudden the Arizona Defense is on of the top units in the league? The coverage, it seems, is all about the great story that the Cardinals season has become. I’m looking forward to that entire story line getting flipped upside down!

Is the reason why the steelers were able to beat the pats like they did. His speed and athletism gives our defense to have an LB cover someone’s slot guy. Typicall for an offense you want this but in Timmons case he tracked down darren sproles, the guy is fast. That means you can’t just spread the defense out with 4 or 3 WRs because the lineback will be able to stay with his man which makes it virtually impossible to pass with harrison and woodley coming. I’m still nervous about this game because a slip here or a slip there can cost it for us. But I expect us to come through.

I read that article. it was hilarious. Granted it’s a tough thing to do, but it was like after the first 15 were placed they just went by jersey number or some other random stat.

I want him in there 75% of the time. Basically I think all 2-4th down scenarios.

Foote and Farrior are good players to be sure, but Farrior has lost his steps and so has Foote. While both stop the run very well and Farrior helps lead that defense, this matchup has Timmons all over it.

I really look forward to seeing him play. I think his ability to close the gap is going to come in handy, and hopefully it will allow the beastly OLB’s to blitz.

That this could very well be Timmons’ stage … many people (myself included) think Warner’s strength as a QB comes against the outside blitz, reading it within a second and dumping off a pass to the nearest open receiver; I’d love to see Timmons used to blow up the middle and rush straight off-center into Warner’s facemask … even if he doesn’t get there for a sack, he’s one intimidating mutha and would certainly create enough pressure, confusion, hesitation, and disruption in visibility to blow up some key plays and drives.

The only downside is if he has a huge game it could spell the end of Foote in a black & gold uniform.

(off-topic a bit, but did anyone else see Kevin Greene’s been hired by Green Bay to work as an OLB coach … it woulda been nice to get him on the Steelers’ staff, but I suppose I don’t really know any details of the deal … I just love everything about that guy)

39. WR Nate Washington — Steelers
He is an experienced possession receiver who aligns as the third receiver in the Steelers’ multiple-spread sets. He has slowly developed into a reliable target

Possession!!

Last year, lots of analysts told Fitz was overrated, cos he wasnt even the best WR on the team, Now he is the best in the whole world??
With a similar offense Moss did much more than him! He is great, but overhyped right now! I dont see any difference between him and Boldin except momentum!

However, I also am feeling that he could be difference maker on the inside Blitz. He just missed blowing up Flacco on a couple of occasions during the Championship game. If he can effective pressure Warner into hurrys then he will have done his job

Some fans were impatient last year with Timmons. There was talk of him being a bust. This year there has been some impatience with the coaches for not playing him more. Fans want to see him in the lineup.

The reality is that the Steelers have handled this kid perfectly. And that’s what he still is, a kid. He is 22 years old. There will be only three younger players on the field Sunday: Gary Russell for the Steelers. Calais Campbell and Tim Hightower (younger by a few days) for the Cardinals. In addition to being young, Timmons has very little playing experience. He played just one year as a starter at Florida State. He’s also had to learn a new position in a very complex defense. That’s the only reason Foote is the starter; he understands his role and won’t blow assignments, in addition to being a pretty good run stopper. Timmons is a neophyte (relative to teammates) when it comes to understanding zone pass defenses and picking up the guy he should be covering, which is why he sometimes gives up a couple steps to his man. He basically just attacked the line of scrimmage at Florida State. And he is still learning how to blitz while staying under control. He takes big fast steps and can be blocked with just a little chip by the running back.

Sunday might be a huge coming out party on the national stage. He really is the X factor as Blitz mentions. The unique qualities of the Cardinals’ offense play right into his natural athletic skills. But whether or not he plays a big role in the Super Bowl, the kid is just scratching the surface of how good he is going to be.