Jason Worilds Will Start For Woodley at LOLB
by Neal Coolong on Nov 5, 2011 12:41 PM EDT
in Steelers Pregame Coverage
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PrintJames Harrison got his first career start in Week 10 of the 2004 season, after Joey Porter was ejected before the game for brawling with Browns RB William Green.
Harrison got a sack, and began planting the seed that, three seasons later, would grow into the reason for letting Porter go.
Harrison was a Pro Bowl player in 2007, his first year as a full-time starter, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
It's certainly a lot to ask second-year OLB Jason Worilds to begin a similar path when he makes his first career start Sunday against Baltimore. But will he be able to, at least, show which side of the Steelers hot-and-cold second round pick line he's on?
Worilds, the Steelers second-round pick in 2010, is toeing that line, having barely gotten on the field in his first two seasons. He's been inactive for the last four games with a quadriceps injury, but reports indicate he's ready to play.
It's unfair to call him Alonzo Jackson (the team's second-round pick in 2003), but you can't exactly call him LaMarr Woodley, either (second-round in 2007, and the man Worilds will replace at LOLB Sunday). In the few opportunities he's had in two years, he's shown he can get to the quarterback. He has good quickness, and could be a wild card in an otherwise heated rivalry game. While Woodley showed that level of pass rushing ability his rookie year, he wasn't the all-around player he is today. Worilds will have to show he can stand up against the run.
It's time for him to earn his varsity letter, though, much like his battery mate did against Cleveland seven years ago. Worilds will be targeted in the run game as well as in coverage, by an excellent short passing attack and a physical offensive line.
It's the second consecutive game the Steelers have had a linebacker making his first start. Stevenson Sylvester did not fare well against New England last week, starting at the buck linebacker position vacated by Larry Foote, who moved to the mack position, replacing James Farrior.
Harrison will return to the starting lineup after missing the last four games with a broken orbital bone in his eye. That shifts Lawrence Timmons back to the buck position, and Foote will play the mack.
It's a definite upgrade from last week, on paper at least. If Worilds can step up and make a few plays in lieu of Woodley - October's Defensive Player of the Month - he can get on the right side of a recently shaky round for Steelers draft picks.
And maybe help beat a division rival while he's at it.
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let's see what he's got
I’m more excited just to get Timmons back inside where he can make an impact.
Woodley
was picked in 2007
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 5, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions
Harrison
not a lock to play yet
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 5, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions
Word is he'll start
He wouldn’t be listed as Probable if he wasn’t going to play. How much he’ll play may be another question, but multiple sources are telling me he’s gonna start.
this makes me happy
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 5, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
he was
able to work out, but not practice
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 5, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Workout = yes
He mentioned on Twitter a few times he was looking for a place to work out when he was in Akron, so I assume he’s been doing that. Contact is the main concern, I would imagine.
I like the idea of Harrison jacking up 450+ in cleans and squats and not taking a hit for four weeks. He’ll be at full strength, and ready to put a clown suit on McKinnie, a la Julius Peppers in 2009.
Although
McKinnie had his number in game one. Don’t know if it was because of his back, but I saw McKinnie get the leverage and push him down on a number of plays. Some were blatant holding but others he just had him on size and weight. McKinnie also showed some quick feet. At leas on some plays I was noticing.
I noticed that too
And while it was appalling to watch, my thought was “Harrison’s not that old yet, and McKinnie’s not that good…”
I would attribute it to coming off of back surgery,
It’s not optimal that Woodley is out, but Sunday night will give us an idea of whether or not Worilds is ever going to be a Steeler.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Nov 5, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I read somewhere that McKinnie gets winded easily, and that the 1st and 3rd quarters he does ok but then looses steam afterward. What I saw was the first half, and stopped watching parts of it because it was too disappointing.
I wonder now that Harrison is rested and McKinnie has gone through 7 games it might be a different story,
hopefully plenty of cardio
although there is nothing like game shape
_______ , or get off the pot - Worilds
Your time is here, and we need you. You had what team officials called the “greatest pre-draft workout they’d ever seen” – so we took you high. Time to live up to the expectations. Set the edge – Get to Flacco – Ma up in your zones – DELIVER.
Teammates younger than you have been stepping up all season while you nurse your quad. Time’s up, big boy – PROVE YOUR WORTH.
too bad he has been injured the past 4 weeks
he had a great opportunity to get game time against some lesser opponents these past few weeks (except the pats), now hes being thrown straight into the shark tank in a big time steelers/ravens brawl on national television. Like you said its time for the young guy to show what hes made up of, and hes gonna be on of one of the biggest, most intense stages.
Agreed-
But he has had some game snaps, so it’s not his very first rodeo. I just hope he has a fuller grasp of the defense, as opposed to just bull-rushing towards Flacco.
Coach LeBeau will know how and when to utilize him (Harrison)
I am sure that Coach LeBeau will not throw him into the fire too quick or too long. He will probably substitute with Carter according to both of their strengths and weaknesses. As far as McKinney being able to handle him – I think that McKinney was holding on 75% of the plays. Harrison admittedly was not in the best of shape early in the season. He will be doing his job if he forces the Ravens to use 2 men to block him out. Also Cris Carter showed me lsat week that he can play and will hustle. Am hoping that Harrison is not still having problems with his eye and Worilds has given his “hammie” time to heal sufficiently. Also hope that Sly will have a better grasp of the game this week. Am looking for Farrior to Coach him up on the sidelines. Sly certainly has the talent and tackles well. He just needs to know where he is supposed to be. He may have had “jitters” from experiencing his first start.
Octobers defensive player of the year?
Are we adopting a Chinese type way of identifying years? Except we just call our years by months? :)
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Lol
I obviously got what you meant. Don’t stop posting. You bring the relevant information all the time. That’s important to me!.
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You guys fortunately didn’t point out two other glaring mistakes I made in this one. I found four different ways to spell “Worilds” in the rough draft.
Thanks though, I appreciate it. My shift is almost up, waiting for Beaner to get up so I can go watch the mighty North Dakota State Bison take on hapless Indiana State.
Sweet! Have fun!
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Speaking of hapless
I’m watching the Michigan game right now…Oy vay
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What division is NDS now?
IIRC they used to be Div II but I seem to remember something about them slipping?
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 5, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Slipping?!?
They’re rated No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision…or whatever Division I-AA is now called.
They were Division II, but moved up to I-AA (or FCS or whatever) about nine years ago. They’re now eligible to win championships, and will very likely to be the top-ranked FCS team come playoff time.
ok
For some reason I thought they had dropped to a lower division school. Probably someone with ties to the University of Manitoba Bisons, who would probably like to keep their talent at home.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 6, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
Don't worry about the typos.
We are not trying to be spell checkers or editors here. We are happy to get your well thought out messages. Keep up the good work.
loved them Neal. I'm not a details guy so don't mind.
I have 10 of those 15 up on the laptop for my 4 hour flight to PIttsburgh
You better produce Worilds
So far you’ve shown me very little. You better make Flacco your bitch.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Nov 5, 2011 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
what do you want him to show you when hes been playing behind two pro bowlers and injured the past 4 weeks? He does have a couple of sacks in his limited playing time
Well, I’d like him not to be awful against the run in preseason. That’d be a start.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Nov 5, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Patience
Some day he will be better than an All Pro…..he will be All Worilds. I know…….Lame!
by steeler fever on Nov 5, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
nice...
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 5, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree with almost everything, as usual : )
but I’m going to argue a bit about the 2nd-round pick remark. I put this up on another post recently:
2005 Bryant McFadden
2006 No 2nd round pick – traded up for Santonio Holmes
2007 LaMarr Woodley
2008 Limas Sweed
2009 no 2nd round pick – traded down, got 2 extra 3rd round picks, Kraig Urbik and Mike Wallace
2010 Jason Worilds
2011 Marcus Gilbert
I suspect that part of why we think the Steelers whiff on the 2nd round might be because we haven’t picked in the 2nd round in 2 of the last 7 years. During one year we got nothing (because of the trade up. During the other 6 years we’ve gotten a Pro-Bowl DE and a once-really-good CB. (The compensatory pick we got for him after he left netted us Stevenson Sylvester.) It got us our current RT who is hopefully our future LT, and of course LB Jason Worilds. And finally, although Kraig Urbik didn’t work out for us, we got Mike Wallace with the rest of our 2nd round pick. (The regular 3rd round pick was Keenan Lewis.)
So all in all I think the 2nd round picks look pretty good, especially if Worilds finally shows what the scouts and coaches saw in him.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
Convenient
During the other 6 years we’ve gotten a Pro-Bowl DE and a once-really-good CB. (The compensatory pick we got for him after he left netted us Stevenson Sylvester.)
Which Pro Bowl DE are you referring to? I’m not seeing one of those anywhere on here.
No one can brag about netting Stevenson Sylvester right now (not sure I’ve seen anyone blow his chance to be a player more than he did last week), nor is the alleged “once-really-good CB” even close to accurate today. Pittsburgh emptied their defensive secondary last week, and he didn’t see the field. What does that tell you?
2006 – That’s actually not true, the second round pick we traded was to Minnesota, who in turn drafted Tarvaris Jackson. We took Anthony Smith with the pick we got from Minnesota. Loss for both teams.
2008 – Complete and total bust.
2009 – Urbik didn’t even make our roster, yet, completely destroyed us last year while we continue to suffer Chris Kemoeatu’s anger-management issues and lack of pass protection.
2010 – We know nothing of Jason Worilds (opinion may change, fact is, he hasn’t gotten on the field).
2011 – He’s played six games (of eight), and all of those at right tackle, excuse me if I’m confused as to why that’s earned him future left tackle honors in the future.
All in all, I don’t think there’s any way anyone can say the Steelers have been successful overall with their second round picks. Sure, I want them to succeed too, but they haven’t top-to-bottom in the last few years.
hold your horses man
The language you are using in your reply kind of irritates me, cuz you are sort of throwing stones to our beloved Rebecca.
With pro bowl DE she means Woodley. He played DE in college. It is just like your “October player of the year” remark. Slip of a finger thing.
I assure you.
She is not a “weak” woman, or a shrinking violet. She is more than capable of defending her words/self. She does not need a knight in shining armor. She is married.
Quit undermining her by thinking she needs you to defend her.
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Indeed
We would be the ones requiring defending if she ever balefully rounded her steely gaze upon us. Happily she is a sweetie most of the time so we are probably safe.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 6, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
Push your analysis back two years...
Then you add Coclough and Alonzo Jackson to the mix. The second round has been very unkind over the last decade.
It’s funny how many weird personalities they found in this position. Anthony Smith was one of my least favorite Steelers ever, and Limas defined his career when he faked an injury on his dropped long ball.
One wonders if there is a systemic problem on second rounders, as they are so damned good with first rounders. Maybe they are too tempted to reach on physical ability, even if personality is quirky?
guys with first round talent
but special quirks are choice for second round. If you can get them to work it out then you might end up with a top ten player instead of an okay player.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 6, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Just a thought but
Everyone we thought looked good in preseason had played poorly for their first couple of games. Sly, Ben, AB, Farrior. Yet everyone we were worried about hasn’t looked as bad;
These were guys like Lewis, Gay, Dwyer, Legursky. So it wouldn’t surprise me too much if Worlids goes out there really good.
Huge fan of the Steelers. (that includes "Steelers West")
"If I could start my life over again, I would be a professional football player and you better damn well believe a Pittsburgh Steeler!"- Jack Lambert
Good point
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Nov 5, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
It seems the less we expect the better the perform.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 6, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
the second "the" s/b "they"
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 6, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Great opportunity for Worilds.
As a young player, you’ve got to take advantage of every opportunity, and this looks like a great one. The book on Worilds has always been that he has excellent speed and is strong as a pass runsher. As noted, we’ll see how well he does in run pursuit. What a huge bonus it’ll be for the Steelers if Worilds follows in Harrison’s footsteps as a late-blooming star. The table is set for him; he just needs to step up.
Run support
I’m more interested in Worilds’ run support and discipline in the run game, particularly against the cut backs. As long as his pass rush is not abysmal, the Steelers will be fine. If he let’s Rice loose because of mental errors, then that might cost the Steelers dearly.
'bout damn time
I was beginning to think he had either been stabbed in the leg or he had nerves like Sweed. He’s like a forgotten man here, would be a real boost to the now and future team if he’s got game.
Sunday night can not get here quick enough
this steelers/ravens game has got me so excited, at least there is a really good college football game on tonight to tide me over till sunday, the LSU/Bama game should be really good tonight.
I’m glad Timmons might have the chance to move back inside, he definitely will be back inside if Harrison starts. But even if Harrison doesnt start maybe starting Chris Carter opposite Worilds would be an idea. Its like you gotta pick your poison if Harrison doesnt start. Would you rather have Sly on the field and Timmons on the outside, or Carter on the field and Timmons on the inside? Still think Pittsburgh should consider some sort of 4-3 front, and least some of the game.
nice how you slid in tide
boo on the 4-3
by steeler fever on Nov 5, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree with you on the 4-3 "blitz"
I think that it will work better against the run (and Ray Rice is their main weapon). But, I would like to see that comprised of Ziggy McClendon, Heyward and Keisel. We need that push up the middle to put pressure on Flacco. Heyward and McClendon will give us that extra hustle that we need and they also pursue well. I think that Coach LeBeau will have many variations that he will use to get the optimum performance out of our depleted LB corp. I think that Casey should only be used on obvious running plays (if at all). He does not penetrate well enough on passing plays and does not pursue well.
Thinking you can change defensive scheme in a week's time...
Is like thinking you’re going to be able to speak Chinese in a week’s time. It’s not going to happen.
DL and LB have different responsibilities and need different skills between the 43 and the 34, and that means different personnel.
Coach LeBeau knows what he is doing
The sets that they were using last week were much different than the ones we had been using. These guys are pros. He had them moving around to different positions last week (Troy and Keisel…for example). – and they did it well. The DB’s were playing tight cover instead of the soft cushion that they had been giving other teams. That is what confused Brady. They used MANY variations.
The only one who seemed confused was Sly - and they replaced him quickly.
I think that he will be better prepared this week. We do not stay in the 3-4 the whole game – we switch around constantly depending on whether it is a passing situation or short yardage or if we are blitzing. If we didn’t we would get beat constantly.
Hope that Jason has an appetite
for Flacco ala sacko, with a side order of Rice.
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
Sylvester..........
did not fare well against New England? I haven’t heard that before……….
he looked a lil lost
on some plays……outta position. He played hard, just didn’t always seem to be sure of where he should be. Just needs some experience.
by steeler fever on Nov 5, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
You are correct on that
I noticed on one particular play he was looking to the sideline for guidance and the Patriots were starting their play. I think that Farrior has surely coached him up during this past week.
did not fare well against New England? I haven’t heard that before……….
HORRIBLE…You didn’t hear about it cuz he got benched halfway through the Patriots third series of the game. When’s the last time you’ve seen a Steelers defender get benched that fast? He started, and without injury, played 12 snaps. What does that tell you?
I remember when Worilds was drafted
They seemed to be disappointed with him in his first year, has he progressed much?
It doesn’t matter your punter is on IR…muahahaha Victory is ours!!!
best tackling team in the NFL, most physical and just dominates people. When we walk out of the tunnel and out of that locker room, we expect to shut people out and play great defense - Ravens DC Chuck Pagano
It doesn’t matter your punter is on IR…muahahaha Victory is ours!!!
I trust that was supposed to be funny. Like Queen Victoria, however, I’m not amused.
Sorry, it’s just that Daniel Sepulveda is a great football player, but more importantly a fantastic human being, and I’m pretty bummed about this. I wish we could play these games with everyone at 100% all the time, but that’s football, I guess—as Mike Tomlin says, a war of attrition.
"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 5, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I went to Baylor
my first year there he had just graduated and I met some friends of his, I heard he was a pretty awesome person, not a bad soccer player either
best tackling team in the NFL, most physical and just dominates people. When we walk out of the tunnel and out of that locker room, we expect to shut people out and play great defense - Ravens DC Chuck Pagano
He's a tough, fearless competitor. but....
He has had bad luck with his “plant” leg. He was a great tackler on special teams (unlike Jeff Reed). I feel bad for him.
I am not worried about the punting
The replacement played well enough last year and in pre-season.
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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 6, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
Steelers rarely
play rookies except in clean up time. He hasn’t shown everything the team would like to see from him in regards to sealing the edge, we will see if he has improved since preseason.
As far as Sepulvida being injured the Steelers just resigned Kapinos who replaced him last year when he went on IR.
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Nov 5, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Looking forward to see if
he can continue the impressive play of our young players.
Things can always be worse....
Worilds can rush the passer
But I cant help having flashbacks of the Washington preseason game where he was flat out terrible against the run when he started
Need big improvement from him. If he cant get up for a division rival, I would be looking for OLB depth in the draft
Formerly known as Steeler_
BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia
I remember
driving over to my friends house to watch that game with the Browns and Wolfley was reporting from the sideline that Porter and William Green were ejected for fighting prior to the game and that Harrison would be getting the start. To be fair, he really made a name for himself the next season in Cleveland when he ruined the Christmas Eve of an unlucky dumb Browns fan.
It will be nice to get #94 back on the inside again.
Also...
No matter what Worilds has to be an upgrade over Chris Carter, right? Keep in mind that Carter was out there in crunch time against the offense quarterbacked by the best QB of this generation. I’m ok with this development.
How nice is it to have Larry Foote now? So underrated.
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