Timmons Poor Film in Week 1

As analyzed by Matthew Marczi over at Steelers Depot

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/09/steelers-vs-browns-film-review-lawrence-timmons-miscues/


I'm pretty disappointed in still seeing these types of mistakes from Timmons (in his 7th year). It can be argued again and again, the lack of inside linebacker development has caused numerous issues for this team a LONG time.

When forced to use Larry Foote (who at least recognizes, reads and fills the right gaps) we lacked athleticism and speed. Now that Timmons is in that roll, we have the speed/athleticism but lack the recognition, reading and play-called needed (especially against teams that decide to force our hands and run the hurry up).

It's a dilemma this franchise has never seemed to grasp/address in any semblance of being proactive and not reactive.

And yet again, we see Tombert try to fix a problem THEY create with poor planning by using an extremely valuable resource (picking Shazier so high at a position we already have a #15 overall pick at).

Not that I don't like some of the things I'm seeing from Shazier, but TWO top-15 picks at the inside linebacker spots in the 3-4 defense seems like an awful use of resources.

But hell, what do I know....

 

We have two inside linebacker spots.

 

Is it me or does Timmons seem a step slow too. It was something I noticed in training camp this year. Could Timmons be showing his age? Or maybe he came into camp in non-peak condition.

I think we all know Timmons is not good at recognition and lining up the troops. Vince Williams was better, before that is was Foote, and before that it was Farrior.

On that one gif, Cam Heyward got pushed right into him. Heyward needs to hold the POA. Some of the others seemed like tough plays to make. Could some of it be the Dline isn't keeping him free enough?

 

IMO he plays like he thinks ,if being asked to think to much he plays slow if the scheme is simple then he thinks fast and plays fast . I don't think he has a high Football IQ .

Some guys are just better when you turn them loose. Maybe they should let Troy call the D and just let him play.

 

Timmons played poorly. I just finished grading the game myself and although he played well in parts, he has a whopping 4 Stink Factor plays. But I've long thought it was an oversimplification that Foote was always right about stuff but just wasn't big or fast enough, and Timmons has the athleticism but doesn't know what he's doing. It's a whole lot more blurred than that. Foote was out of position plenty, and I thought Timmons was one of our brainiest players on the defense last season. Now he's adjusting to a new position. A poster above me considers it a given that Vince Williams can run the defense better than Timmons. A lot of people think that. I think that's nuts. But that's a reputation for you.

And it was just one game. You shoulda seen this place after the season opener in 2012. Half the board insisted he had gotten so slow overnight that he was now slower than Peyton Manning. You say you're disappointed that you're still seeing him make these mistakes in his 7th year. Uh, mistakes happen. Bad games happen. Did you catch Ben's horrible INT? He's in his 11th year. Timmons overran some plays. He missed some tackles. You're acting like this is a sign of things to come, when you have 6 good seasons to look back on. I'll wager his long-term play more like seasons 3-6 than 3 hours on 9/7/2014.

Two incredible inside linebackers seems to be working out for the 49ers. It's an important position and they're both on the field all the time. I don't see any difference between this and having two CBs that were first rounders, or a C and a G. It's not like pulling a Panthers and taking RBs in the 1st in back to back drafts. Only one RB can have the ball at a time.

We have plenty of things to worry about. Will Jarvis become a suitable pass rusher? Will Tuitt pan out at DE? Will we even keep Heyward and Worilds? Will we ever get ourselves a decent set of CBs? Timmons will be fine.

 

Quick someone get Steelelvis . On another thread a discussion ensued regarding execution and coaching . This kind of goes with what we were saying that the abysmal in 2nd half was more to do with lack of player execution and communication then coaching. DL comes right out and says after the game that the biggest problem with defense was communication lapses. He does not point fingers however since Timmons is the buck I guess alot of it would fall on him

 

A couple of things though where I lay some blame on LeBeau and Tomlin. (1) I heard on The Fan from Bouchette that the D calls were lengthy 9-10 words long and Timmons was having a hard time getting the call out, so apparently they have truncated the call length to 3-4 words (2) Bouchette (who often fawns all over LeBeau like everybody else) gave some pretty strong critique to the coaches on not being ready for no-huddle after all it is being used more and more and there was a chance that Johnny Football might get a few snaps and he ran a fair amount of no-huddle. Yes the players screwed up and could have communicated better, but it also looks like the coaches did not do a stellar job of preparing for the no-huddle. I said in another post that getting torched with it for a series or two is understandable, but not for the entire 2nd half.

 

Showing his age? The dude just turned 28.

 

I'm with you on the Timmons part, he has been taking bad angles for a while. He is some of the problems with our run defense. Also agree he does not have a high football IQ and part of the communication problem with our defense.

Some people think he is the greatest and can do no wrong. Just don't see what they see.

 

Who has said or even implied that? I'm one of his biggest supporters here and I'm happy to jump on him for a bad game. He might not have the highest football IQ, and I don't think he's an especially football smart guy like Aaron Smith or Farrior, but I haven't seen anything to suggest he can't cut it when it comes to calling the defense. Those that say the rookie Vince Williams did it because Timmons couldn't are talking out of their asses.

 

Never heard anyone on hear say that about Timmons.

That being said, I don't have a giant issue with Timmons. I can certainly point out other players who have bigger issues on our D.

 

There's a difference between being better at mack than buck, which is what you just said, and saying he's too stupid to call the defense and any rookie could do it better than him.

I agree Williams is bright and can do it, but those that say he surpassed Timmons to take that responsibility are making an assumption that doesn't hold weight. The buck, which is the one with less freedom and is more likely to engage OL, calls the plays in LeBeau's defense. Timmons has always been the fast, athletic free-roamer guy, the mack. Keeping him there with Farrior, Foote, and Williams were all no-brainers. Now, with Shazier around, Timmons is no longer the quickest, fastest ILB, so he finally switched over. He'll be taking on more blocks and Shazier will have more freedom.

I read he's made the calls in practice for years and feels comfortable making the calls. It makes sense that there will be an adjustment period. This is the first time he's done it in a game, at least for an extended period.

 

Please, no one reply to this. I don't want to read that BF has been posting pantless.

 

I agree whole heartedly. Timmons has been solid for us and is one of the best LBs in the game. I will give him a pass for a bad game. Like you so eloquently pointed out there are other team members that are not playing up to snuff.

 

HAHAHA

 

1st off he is in his 8th year. I've said I have had concerns on him dating back to last year. calling the defense is quite different than not playing your spot to it's fullest as the most seasoned vet LB we have. there was a reason Timmons as MT's first pick didn't get on the field early as a starter during his first really 3 years.

he is still taking bad angles way too much. I thought originally last year it was over compensation for Williams. for as athletic of a LB that LT is, the thinking and reaction part of his game has been somewhat masked by the vets that have played with him. now we don't have that with him and problems are arising. that's not to say as shazier and spence and Williams develop, they won't help that.

I also said and still believe, in a couple of years he may become expendable. his salary is part of that reasoning. plus he will be going into his 11th season. I know snack, you and I have been over this, now others are picking up on some things I stated about last year. old mac don't miss too much on the field. LT is still a very good LB, but he needs limiting in what he has to think about and hopefully one of the others picks some of that up.

he is as good as any athletically if he can just play. I thought the move would do him well, and maybe it will but it's early in the process. and yes we have some bigger problems but it's his job to stop the runs. he has to come up with more than 4-5 stops in a game. especially if they are running for 183 yards against us.


and blast, my God man, put some pants on.

 

http://youtu.be/aJgWq_kSR9w

 

HAHA.. Classic. Love it. Ass you a few questions lol

 

Didn't read all, but I wondered after Worilds replaced Woodley and Shazier was drafted if maybe Williams could be Timmons replacement.

Possibility I think, but not sure when if it happens.