Farrior remains Steelers' ageless wonder

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Farrior remains Steelers' ageless wonder
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, October 22, 2008

If football is indeed a young man's game, how come Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior continues to play it so well?

Farrior is 33, making him the third-oldest player on the team (behind Travis Kirschke and Orpheus Roye) and the undisputed leader of the NFL's top-ranked defense for the second year in a row. Farrior's title as defensive captain is anything but ceremonial. He isn't ready for a gold watch.

It's become an annual rite of passage. Once again -- for the fifth time in six years -- Farrior leads the Steelers in tackles. He had a season-high 11 stops in Sunday's win at Cincinnati and has never looked stronger.

Not bad for the No. 8 pick in the 1997 draft. Among first-rounders selected that year, Farrior, cornerback Shawn Springs (No. 3 overall) and defensive end Trevor Pryce (No. 28) are the only defensive players still in the league.

Farrior is the second-oldest linebacker among the NFL's leading tacklers this week. He trails Washington's London Fletcher (who's four months younger than Farrior), Baltimore's Ray Lewis (four months younger) and San Francisco's Takeo Spikes (13 months younger). Only the Cowboys' Zach Thomas (35) is older.

However, none of them is having a better season than Farrior, who starts for a 5-1 team that leads the league in defense.

If winning counts for anything, Farrior should receive serious consideration for his second Pro Bowl. Ironically, his biggest competition for postseason honors may come from two of his teammates.

"We've got a close-knit group in the linebacker room. We definitely all compete against each other. That makes it a lot more fun," Farrior said.

Outside linebacker James Harrison is second in the NFL with 8 1/2 sacks. Harrison has also forced three fumbles.

Harrison is a playmaker. Farrior, with 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble this season, makes plays. It's a subtle difference, but a legitimate one. Sacks are to linebackers what interceptions are to cornerbacks. Interceptions -- and sacks -- translate into Pro Bowl appearances.

Fellow outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley also makes "splash" plays. He's fourth in the league with 7 1/2 sacks. He also has one interception, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including one he returned for a touchdown.

Farrior is more steady than spectacular. All he does is line up year after year.

Now going on 13 seasons, Farrior's greatest asset may be his ability to consistently produce at a high level. He has missed a total of four games since joining the Steelers in 2002 as a free agent.

Surely, the leading tackler on the best defense in football should be considered Pro Bowl-worthy this season. If not Farrior, who? If not now, when?

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_594474.html

[Galax Steeler]

It is good to see Farrior still playing at a high level with the guys we have on deffense no wonder we have the no.1 deffense with the guys we have playing everyone swarms the ball and keeps pressure on the quarterback.

[SteelersMongol]

Farrior is the warrior. I really hope he plays with us some more years, & retire as a Steeler.

[Aussie_steeler]

Originally Posted by SteelersMongol

Farrior is the warrior. I really hope he plays with us some more years, & retire as a Steeler.

I honestly think he will retire a steeler in 2 - 3 years. He may also see this as the perfect organisation to get into coaching as well.

He is the unsung hero of the defence. A quiet assassin who keeps on getting the job done without the need for any glory.

[Busforever]

Love this guy. What a model for our young linebackers: quiet leader by example, humble, dedicated, consistent. I still can't believe what he said this summer, basicaly "wanting to finish his career as a Steeler even with a little contract". He didn't even mention to be "paid what he deserves, not breaking the bank", which is what you routinely heard with humbliest player in this league. He just wanted another contract, didn't care about the money. Never seen that.
The result is that he got what he wanted, and i think his contract wasn't so cheap (but i don't remember). What a REEEEALLY good thing to have a player like Farrior in our team.

[Edman]

James Farrior and Aaron Smith are the most underrated Steelers on the team, and perhaps the most underrated players in the NFL. No one can deny the impact they have on this defense.

Both deserve a lot of credit for keeping their bodies in shape in this rugged sport where injuries can pile up easily.

[TailgateMel]

Farrior is my #1 fav. player... I was thrilled when he got a new contract this year. I have a home & away jersey (couldn't find a throwback)

If you want to know why he is doing so well... you can look at what he does in the offseason (and Santonio too) in this video.. take the time to watch it.. it is pretty good & has some interviews:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DsP_c_MyJWI

Discipline & heart got him to be where he is.

Mel

[JShockey]

I never understood why the Jets let him walk...

[steelpride12]

Farrior def. does not get the credit he deserves for the great plays after plays he makes.
He is the anchor of the defense and he comes up big and is still a warrior at the age of 33.

[lilyoder6]

farrior is playing at a high lvl for his age.. and some of his success comes from all the skill players around him.. if he doesn't get the tackle/sack then it's gonna be harrison or woodly or visa versa... a lot easier for an older person to play great when u have other great players around u to increase ur game and only wry about his job