Look for Woodley to Emerge

by upabob on Nov 6, 2009 9:32 AM EST

It's been a quiet season so far for Lamarr Woodley, who had a stellar year right up through the Super Bowl. He's eleventh on the team in tackles so far, and he only has two sacks (down a bit from last year's 17.5 pace).

But the next two weeks should be good ones for Lamarr. Second year Broncos tackle Tyler Polumbus is expected to make his first NFL start Monday night opposite Woodley. And the following week, in Pittsburgh, Flab-tacular rookie Andre Smith is expected to be in the right tackle rotation for Cincy. In fact, Smith's first NFL action, as a rookie, will be against the Ravens and Steelers. Uh oh..

Woodley will have every opportunity to dominate the next two weekends. I believe he'll be adding his name to the list of superstar linebackers in Pittsburgh over the next few years.

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woodley had 11.5 last season not 17.5.

by GMSteel on Nov 6, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions

I think he meant Woodley

was ‘on pace’ for 17.5 sacks at this point last year.

The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."
-George Carlin

by Cdsumm on Nov 6, 2009 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

Included postseason sacks?

Just guessing though.

'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin

by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 6, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

he had 6 in the post season

by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Nov 7, 2009 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

includes post-season

I included his six post-season sacks in that total. He got ’em in real NFL games, so they count for me.

by upabob on Nov 6, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions

Don't think so

I expect to see VERY short passes. Probably something like 35% less than 5 yards, 40% 5-10 yards, and 20% 10-15. Hard to have a breakout game rushing the passer facing a passing game like this.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Nov 6, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions

I said dominate, not rush the passer

Woodley is going to be a force the next two weeks, against the pass and the run. He’s going to outplay the inexperienced right tackles that try to tie him up in the run game, or block him on the pass rush.

So, look at his stats after the next two weeks and see if he was in the middle of things.

by upabob on Nov 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

I really am hyped for this

I know Denver is a short passing squad but they are gonna still have a hard time with this right tackle situation.

I’d love to see some overloads on that side, double stack harrison and woodley. I’ve seen that move a couple times, usually just makes the RT do a false start/shit pants.

by Mechem on Nov 6, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

in that case denver might want to wear their throwbacks this week

those pants are brown, right?

by acrollet on Nov 6, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

longest bye week EVER

Ron Paul was Right.

by Steelchamps !! on Nov 6, 2009 6:18 PM EST reply actions

That's the freakin truth

by SteelerStuckintheSouth on Nov 7, 2009 5:44 AM EST up reply actions

I know, it’s starting to bug me. At least, they play tomorrow….oh wait…crap

" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.

by John Stephens on Nov 7, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Nah Woodley is making a difference

Sure he hasn’t had the sack production expected yet, but he’s like 2nd or 3rd in QB pressures this year.

BTSC Obituaries

OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Nov 6, 2009 9:42 PM EST reply actions

And he might have had an influence on the Vikings game, I think.

" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.

by John Stephens on Nov 7, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

It's not just sacks

Woodley’s sack totals are way down. So let’s look at linebacker total tackles this year:
48 – Farrior
41 – Harrison
29 – Timmons
24 – Fox
14 – Woodley

The injured Aaron Smith is the only defensive starter he has more tackles than, and he’s well behind Keyaron Fox. Just saying that Woodley has been quiet (except for that huge return), but is likely to impact the stat sheet over the next two weeks.

by upabob on Nov 9, 2009 8:17 AM EST up reply actions

Yea

I see where you’re coming from. But even last year Woodley only finished with 60 solo tackles, or somewhere in that neighborhood. Now that Smith is out a lot more teams are gonna test that side of the field, and test Woodley’s ability to stop the run, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an increase in his tackles now.

BTSC Obituaries

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Nov 9, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

Woodley is learning more this year.

When you’re a rookie, everyone assumes that you’re not too good, so they don’t give you much attention in their blocking schemes. That creates some opportunities that Woodley took advantage of last year. But now that everyone knows Woodley can pressure the QB, they’re focusing more on keeping him out.

This should be the year that Woodley starts to learn the finesse moves that Harrison and other top LBs have mastered. I look for him to be more productive as the season unfolds and even better come playoff time.

by Billy52 on Nov 7, 2009 9:00 PM EST reply actions