mesaSteeler
02-01-2010, 06:56 PM
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View From The Press Box
http://blog.triblive.com/view-from-the-press-box/2010/02/01/woodley-says-he-can-only-get-better/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+triblive%2Fblog%2FViewFromThe PressBox+%28View+from+the+Press+Box+Blog%29
Woodley says he can only get better
February 1st, 2010
MIAMI --
He wasn’t allowed to blitz while playing in his first game in almost a month and spent more time dropping than a West Point plebe.
That didn’t stop outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley from serving notice that he is taking aim at the Steelers’ single-season sack record held by teammate James Harrison.
“I can do a lot more,” Woodley said after playing in his first Pro Bowl Sunday night. “Numbers can improve.”
Woodley doesn’t need to improve by much to surpass the 16 sacks Harrison had in 2008 when the latter won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Woodley went from 11 ˝ in 2008, his first year as a starter, to 13 1/2 this season.
At that rate of improvement Woodley would notch 15 ˝ sacks next season and 17 ˝ in 2010. While unrealistic to expect that kind of progression it is not out of the question.
Woodley, after all, is only 25.
“I ain’t played my best football,” said the Steelers’ 2007 second-round draft pick.
While Woodley didn’t get to showcase his pass-rushing skills in the first of what figures to be many Pro Bowl appearances, the 6-4, 265-pounder did intercept a pass after dropping into coverage.
A penalty wiped out the pick -- and the 64-yard touchdown return that followed it.
It didn't stop Woodley from displaying the athleticism that allowed him to make the transition from a 4-3 defensive end in college to a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Woodley will take this week off and start his offseason workout regimen after the Super Bowl.
While focused on what is ahead, Woodley didn’t hesitate to answer when asked about the recent past -– and specifically why the Steelers finished 9-7 in 2009.
“Not finishing games, not closing out games, not taking care of teams we were supposed to take care of, letting teams stay around too long in the fourth quarter,” Woodley said.
Yep, that about covers it.
View From The Press Box
http://blog.triblive.com/view-from-the-press-box/2010/02/01/woodley-says-he-can-only-get-better/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+triblive%2Fblog%2FViewFromThe PressBox+%28View+from+the+Press+Box+Blog%29
Woodley says he can only get better
February 1st, 2010
MIAMI --
He wasn’t allowed to blitz while playing in his first game in almost a month and spent more time dropping than a West Point plebe.
That didn’t stop outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley from serving notice that he is taking aim at the Steelers’ single-season sack record held by teammate James Harrison.
“I can do a lot more,” Woodley said after playing in his first Pro Bowl Sunday night. “Numbers can improve.”
Woodley doesn’t need to improve by much to surpass the 16 sacks Harrison had in 2008 when the latter won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
Woodley went from 11 ˝ in 2008, his first year as a starter, to 13 1/2 this season.
At that rate of improvement Woodley would notch 15 ˝ sacks next season and 17 ˝ in 2010. While unrealistic to expect that kind of progression it is not out of the question.
Woodley, after all, is only 25.
“I ain’t played my best football,” said the Steelers’ 2007 second-round draft pick.
While Woodley didn’t get to showcase his pass-rushing skills in the first of what figures to be many Pro Bowl appearances, the 6-4, 265-pounder did intercept a pass after dropping into coverage.
A penalty wiped out the pick -- and the 64-yard touchdown return that followed it.
It didn't stop Woodley from displaying the athleticism that allowed him to make the transition from a 4-3 defensive end in college to a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Woodley will take this week off and start his offseason workout regimen after the Super Bowl.
While focused on what is ahead, Woodley didn’t hesitate to answer when asked about the recent past -– and specifically why the Steelers finished 9-7 in 2009.
“Not finishing games, not closing out games, not taking care of teams we were supposed to take care of, letting teams stay around too long in the fourth quarter,” Woodley said.
Yep, that about covers it.