mesaSteeler
01-08-2009, 01:36 PM
Steelers Woodley tires down the stretch
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/01/07/sports/steelers/doc4965873e972b1633149251.txt
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 11:58 PM EST
PITTSBURGH — This is a story about LaMarr Woodley. Remember him?
You may recall that Woodley was a very hot topic during the first half of the season. He practically matched James Harrison big play for big play.
After eight games, both ranked among the league sack leaders. Harrison, the Steelers’ right outside linebacker, had 10. Woodley, the left outside linebacker, was right behind at 9.5.
But over the last eight games of the regular season, Harrison pulled ahead in the battle for the team sack lead.
Harrison’s final tally of 16 is one reason why he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Woodley’s total of 11.5 suggests that he wore down in his first full season as a starter. Yes, he may have appeared on the cover of the Dec. 22 edition of Sports Illustrated, hovering over Baltimore’s Joe Flacco. But that photo wasn’t an image of Woodley sacking the Ravens’ rookie quarterback. It was just a picture that showed Woodley knocking Flacco to the ground after he got rid of the football.
In the four games the Steelers played in December, Woodley didn’t have a sack.
“Some people say I may have hit a wall but I don’t think I hit a wall,” said Woodley, who was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. “I just haven’t been able to get the sacks I had been getting earlier in the year.
“But when you look at it all, are we still winning? Yeah. We’re still winning. Am I getting sacks? No. But am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? Putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run? I’d say yes to that.”
Woodley is right. None of the Steelers’ coaches are worried about the way he’s played.
At mid-season when Woodley and Harrison were throwing down opposing QBs with regularity, it looked like both would be named to the Pro Bowl. Harrison did land an invite to the NFL’s all-star game. Woodley did not. But that’s OK. His time will come. He’s going to be a star.
Right now, all he wants to do is help the Steelers reach and win the Super Bowl. They can take another step in that direction Sunday by beating the visiting San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.
For most of the game, Chargers right tackle Jeromey Clary will be assigned to block Woodley. On Nov. 16 when the Steelers edged the Chargers in an 11-10 decision at Heinz Field, Clary did a solid job on Woodley, who had three solo tackles but no sacks or quarterback hits.
But don’t be surprised if Woodley ends his sack drought Sunday.
He’s refreshed after the bye week.
And even though the Steelers lost last season in a wild-card game to Jacksonville, the rookie played very well. He didn’t let the pressures of playoff football affect him.
Even though he didn’t start, it was Woodley who led all pass rushers with two sacks.
Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com.
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/01/07/sports/steelers/doc4965873e972b1633149251.txt
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 11:58 PM EST
PITTSBURGH — This is a story about LaMarr Woodley. Remember him?
You may recall that Woodley was a very hot topic during the first half of the season. He practically matched James Harrison big play for big play.
After eight games, both ranked among the league sack leaders. Harrison, the Steelers’ right outside linebacker, had 10. Woodley, the left outside linebacker, was right behind at 9.5.
But over the last eight games of the regular season, Harrison pulled ahead in the battle for the team sack lead.
Harrison’s final tally of 16 is one reason why he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Woodley’s total of 11.5 suggests that he wore down in his first full season as a starter. Yes, he may have appeared on the cover of the Dec. 22 edition of Sports Illustrated, hovering over Baltimore’s Joe Flacco. But that photo wasn’t an image of Woodley sacking the Ravens’ rookie quarterback. It was just a picture that showed Woodley knocking Flacco to the ground after he got rid of the football.
In the four games the Steelers played in December, Woodley didn’t have a sack.
“Some people say I may have hit a wall but I don’t think I hit a wall,” said Woodley, who was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. “I just haven’t been able to get the sacks I had been getting earlier in the year.
“But when you look at it all, are we still winning? Yeah. We’re still winning. Am I getting sacks? No. But am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? Putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run? I’d say yes to that.”
Woodley is right. None of the Steelers’ coaches are worried about the way he’s played.
At mid-season when Woodley and Harrison were throwing down opposing QBs with regularity, it looked like both would be named to the Pro Bowl. Harrison did land an invite to the NFL’s all-star game. Woodley did not. But that’s OK. His time will come. He’s going to be a star.
Right now, all he wants to do is help the Steelers reach and win the Super Bowl. They can take another step in that direction Sunday by beating the visiting San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.
For most of the game, Chargers right tackle Jeromey Clary will be assigned to block Woodley. On Nov. 16 when the Steelers edged the Chargers in an 11-10 decision at Heinz Field, Clary did a solid job on Woodley, who had three solo tackles but no sacks or quarterback hits.
But don’t be surprised if Woodley ends his sack drought Sunday.
He’s refreshed after the bye week.
And even though the Steelers lost last season in a wild-card game to Jacksonville, the rookie played very well. He didn’t let the pressures of playoff football affect him.
Even though he didn’t start, it was Woodley who led all pass rushers with two sacks.
Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com.