How good is LaMarr Woodley?

by NYSteelersFan4 on Sep 2, 2009 12:08 PM EDT Comment 9 comments

A question Steeler fans will say they know the answer to (He's a BEAST!), but more importantly, a question the Steelers' front office will have to ask eachother, if not this offseason then next. Consensus opinion has LaMarr getting paid big time money at some point in the near future, but what exactly is he being paid for?

Well, let's start with some numbers. Here is a link to LaMarr Woodley's stats page, and to save a little time here are the big numbers:

In 15 career regular season starts, The Wood has piled up 55 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He's recovered 4 fumbles, one of which he took to the house (against the Ravens week 4). Not too shabby.

I remember week one last season, Woodley's first as a starter, when the cameraman panned along the sideline before the game in warmups. The anticipation of the regular season's kick off was peeking, it was so close. When the cameraman hit Woodley I remember turning to one of my good friends and saying "If he can be our Shawne Merriman, we'll win the whole thing." Well, at the time it was more a reference to his size and position, but at the end of the day I looked almost prophetic, as his numbers in his first season as a starter were actually better than Merriman in his first season, 2005. And after just that first start against Houston, he was named Defensive Player of the Week (six tackles [four solo], one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery), an award he would win again in week seven against the Bengals. LaMarr Woodley was on his way.

He would remain a force in every game he played last year, missing only one (vs. Indianapolis 11/9), and in arguably his worst game last season (San Diego) he still had four tackles, one pass deflection, and two hurries, but no sacks. Something he would make up for in a rematch, in the Divisional Playoff round, where he had six tackles, two sacks (including his and my favorite sack last year on Philip Rivers) and two more hurries.

And what a playoff career he has had. In just two seasons in the NFL a lot of players would just be happy making the playoffs, Woodley wouldn't be happy making the playoffs, he wanted to make a name for himself in the process. His first shot at extensive playing time was two years ago, in the playoffs against Jacksonville. He recorded two sacks. In his second, against San Diego, he had two sacks. Inhis third postseason start ever, against Baltimore, he had two sacks (and in doing so became the only player in NFL history to record two sacks in three consecutive playoof games). Then in the Superbowl against Arizona recorded two more sacks, giving him eight sacks in just four playoff games, including the game sealing sack of Kurt Warner in the last minute of the game. He certainly knows how to play in big games, to say the least.

There is only one drawback to this much success, and that is the fact that another player on his own team, at his own position none the less, has even more. That player is odviously James Harrison (15 games, 16 sacks, 1 interception, 7 forced fumbles, 5 recovered fumbles 1 TD, one saftey, one Defensive Player of the Year Award to boot).

The big question in the front office's meetings will most likely not be how much money, but just how much of Woodley's dominence can be attributed to single teams and a lack of direct attention as a result of Harrison's brilliance. It is a question that was asked very similarly in Miami a few years back when Adewale Ogunleye's contract came up after several good seasons, including one 15 sack year. Adewale's main drawback was that he too was playing alongside a dominent pass rusher in Jason Taylor. What it came down to was Miami wasn't willing to pay Ogunleye Jason Taylor type numbers and let him walk. Chicago signed him to a lucrative multi year deal, to which in Chacigo's opinion he has not quite lived up to. Despite a few pretty good years in the windy city, he has been on the trade block multiple times in an effort to get out of a big money deal.

With Harrison already signing a big money deal this offseason, and other fairly substantial deals being handed out by the Rooney's and their staff, could LaMarr be looking for too much in return? Is his performence thus far due in part to Harrison's utter dominence on the other side? How much of what he's done can be attributed to 92, and is Woodley willing to acknowledge any of it is? It is also important to note, that even though what Woodley has done so far is very impressive, he has done it in just one season as a starter. That is not necessarily the kind of track record you would look for in a big money deal. These are the questions that will be most difficult to answer for everyone involved. I personally hope we see Woodley in Black and Gold for many years to come, for now I will have to wait and see.

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Damn good

If woodley gets sacks is it because James is occupying a double team? Or because Ike is shadowing a reciever? Or because Smith is pushing the line? It’s hard to say. But, the guy has excelled at his position regardless. A great defense has to work well in all positions, not just some. Woodley could be getting more attention from double teams next year and we might be putting Deebo on the fence. Na, the Steelers know linebackers. And they know that these two guys working the outside will give them their best chances. LaMarr is going to have an even better season and will get a big deal next offseason.

Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!

by SoCalSteelerFan on Sep 2, 2009 12:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Yes indeed...

Wolverine is quite a phenomenal Linebacker. I remember a lot of people including me raised eyebrows when Tomlin selected 2 consecutive LBs in his first draft in rounds 1 and 2. How awesome it turned out.

Woodley has help mainly from 2 guys: Silverback who gets a lot of double teams and gigantic penetration from Aaron Smith Left Defensive end, with this guys making havoc in the line of scrimmage, Woodley gets most of the time single offensive lineman to work with.

But this is in no way to lessen his abilities. If I remember correctly Haggans was below average in the same spot for many years. Woodley is so strong that he can bullrush almost any right tackle in the NFL. The guy is simply elite player and very class act. To top it off, judging from his interviews, he is a very modest dude. Look at his words :
“The money will be there,” Woodley said. “Money isn’t the world, anyway. Ain’t no price tag on winning. Winning and making history is something you can’t buy. Me? I’m a guy who loves history. When I’m 60 or 70, I don’t want to be remembered for the money I made. I want to be in the history books.”

He is definitely not gonna price himself out of Pittsburgh. The guy seems a real deal!

Quote that I like most about Woodley, by David Flemming:
“PSON2: Looking for a signature moment from the AFC title game? How about this: LaMarr Woodley, the next in a seemingly endless line of great Steeltown linebackers, blood streaming down his left biceps, Supermanning himself over a crouched blocker to get to Joe Flacco by any means necessary. He didn’t get a sack, but Woodley produced something far more valuable: a freaked-out look on a rookie quarterback’s face that said “Holy shnikes, these guys are f-in crazy, man.” I swear, as he realized what he was up against, you could see Flacco’s passer rating drop by 75 points."
Its in here

Here are several video interviews by him. Here he talks about how Kevin Greene helped him out and shows his knowledge of history. And here he shows off his modesty. Pure class act!

by Bonek on Sep 2, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We've got to sign him

Besides the obvious talent and character attributes, I just love looking at him. So please Mr Rooney make me a happy woman and give me LaMarr Woodley in Black and Gold for years to come.

by jglo on Sep 2, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It is no Coincidence

that James Harrison’s sack total doubled in 2008 from 2007. Woodley and Harrison benefit each other so tremendously, that I would hate to have to see only one. Woodley is my favorite player, and I feel that even w/o Harrison, he’s a guy who could average close to 8 sacks a season with more development, if not more. With Harrison on the other side I think that averaging 10 sacks a season is no way out of the question. Wood is a monster off the edge and has a great motor and outstanding strength, which leads him to be just plain overpowering more often then not. Imagine what a player he’ll be if he can hone his finesse moves, and improve in zone coverage.

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Sep 2, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good thoughts, nice article, NY

Regarding the question of whether Woodley would acknowledge he totals he puts up with Harrison’s presence: Absolutely he would.

If you’ve heard Woodley speak, he isn’t a punk, and he isn’t self-serving. He’s respectful, well-spoken, and thoughtful in choosing his words. He also knows that to honor thy elders is the Steelers way, and he goes along with the program 100%.

When the Steelers bring in a player, the other older veterans help that player. This, in stark contrast to other clubs, where the veterans see the new young top-dollar pick as a direct threat to their longevity on the team.

Not in Pittsburgh, thankfully.

I think we got a good one here, and there should be no dropoff if/when Deebo gets dinged up/retires. Woodley will show he will stand on his own. With Silverback being a little older, the Steelers understand locking up Woodley is priority #1.

"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." -- #58

by __.58.__ on Sep 2, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Aren’t Woodly and Holmes due contacts next offseason?

If so, Woodly has to be first priority, right? i think if Holmes leaves, we can find a replacement in Sweed, or Wallace.

13 years and no playoff wins for the Dallas Cowboys... SWEET!

by idiscgolftexas on Sep 2, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would take Woodley over Holmes

Any Day. One because Woodley is my favorite player and 2. Because Holmes, though a great play maker is replaceable. If it came down to picking one or the other, Woodley, no question.

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Sep 3, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

for the effort of putting the numbers to this deserved player, before adding woodsilverback, we were just an average defense with a prodigy safety,,,,, made into a very good defense by genius dick lebeau’

by steelswine on Sep 2, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs