ESPN Magazine "Peak Ages" Article (Timmons)

So the most recent ESPN magazine came out a week or two ago but I just got around to reading it. The article was discussing a huge numbers breakdown on what the peak age is for pretty much every position in every sport. So at what point are the players going to be as good as ever, before they start to decline... Or basically predicting breakout years for players.

They named a player at each position that was right in that "sweet spot." The whole article is on ESPN.com if you're an insider but here's one of the write-ups of interest... (They also named Mike Wallace as the WR at the most 'peak' time in their career but it wasn't in the online article).

Peak age for inside linebacker: 26.2 yrs
Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 26
The Steelers drafted Lawrence Timmons 15th overall in 2007 with the expectation that he would become their next great defensive playmaker. Since then, he has been mostly overshadowed by teammates James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley -- but that's poised to change this year. The linebacker, who is building on 134 tackles in 2010 and 94 in 2011, started the 2012 regular season less than three months into his peak year for the position. That, says Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders, will give Timmons an edge. After all, Baltimore's Ray Lewis was a reigning Super Bowl MVP and NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the time he turned 26. San Francisco's Patrick Willis led arguably the NFL's top defense a year ago at the same age. And Chicago's Brian Urlacher was just coming out of his peak when he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.

By all accounts, Timmons is the complete package. He is one of the few defenders in the league who has the ability to do what is required of him -- and that includes being able to cover record-setting New England tight end Rob Gronkowski. "He's not a matchup problem," says Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler. "In today's NFL, everybody is trying to create mismatches with the linebacker, getting tight ends on those linebackers. We're not worried about him covering anybody. He's not a concern, and it's comforting to have that type of player at linebacker."

Playing linebacker requires more than just physical ability, and that's where Timmons' aptitude for the game sets him apart. It was something that was evident even when he was a young football player. "He had instincts," says former Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, who coached Timmons in college. "He understood football. Some people just understand when you talk to them about certain techniques, fundamentals or game plans. Lawrence always knew what you were talking about."

If wisdom comes with age, expect to see an even smarter game from the sixth-year linebacker this season. Also, don't expect to find Timmons stuck in anyone's shadow. -- Brent Sobleski

 

so is only out of shape ready to unlesh hell by mid season

 

Timmons is a disappointment as a first rounder and eating up waaaaay to much of our cap. He had a good season before the contract so, at that time is seemed reasonable to justify the money but, Im not on board with his performance vs. money anymore...

 

If reaching your peak means it's all downhill from here, we're in big trouble with this OVER-pursuing and UNDER-performing linebacker.

I just don't get it with Timmons. He seems to have all of the physical tools. He's fast, he's strong, he's agile. He's apparently "football smart" as is pointed out in the article. But he just can't seem to put it together. He showed some promise his first couple of years in the league (until he got his contract) and has fizzled out since then. How long has it been since we've seen a "splash" play by Timmons? He disappears for games (not portions of games) at a time. I hope he can pull it all together and realize his potential. We need him now more than ever because it looks like Silverback may have played his last down as a dominant LB for the Steelers. The time is NOW, Lawrence! MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

 

Timmons is athletic and he may understand football, I'm just not seeing the reaction speed and instincts for the big play.

It will be interesting to see how he does this year without Farrior putting the defense into the right calls.... its a tough call though because the 3 d-linemen in front of them aren't playing up to the line this year.

That is why I thought Timmons should eventually be a OLB... Yes he looked uncomfortable doing it on short notice last year, but if practiced in an entire offseason I'm sure he would quickly get the hang of it. The reason I suggest this, and granted I'm not expert, but it seems like it is easier to make quicker reads and would let him make better use of his athleticism.

The article is correct in that he can run down the field with any TE in the league, but Troy can do that just as effectively...

 

He can run down any Te in the league but not Peyton Manning??

I have been a big Timmons fan but he hasn't done much in 20 games now. I understand that last year he played largely out of position, but he has been a complete non-factor so far this season (except for the 15 yard penalty for hitting Sanchez

He is gettting close to earning the nickname "Almost". On most plays, he almost makes the play. Can't count how many times he has missed a RB or QB by mere inches. He "almost" makes the play, but never seems to anymore. But its a long season. Hopefully he will turn it around

 

Exactly! Many times the past few years I saw him scream up the middle having the QB in his sights, only to have said QB sidestep him and get a pass off. Most times he's going so fast / out of control that he runs right by the QB, other times he is picked up easily by a RB that stays in to block. I would love to see him completely bowl over a blocking back, or push him back into the QB (as Woodley has done on several occassions), or at least come in with more discipline when it's an empty backfield.

 

That is actually one thing I've noticed about Timmons, and I actually have to give credit to Larry Foote for because he is very willing to do it.....

Timmons doesn't like to throw his body into a guy to try to bowl him over, you'll see he likes to try to side step guys alot if he is blitzing and a RB is right in front of him.

Timmons doesn't do it. Foote is more than willing to do it, If only Foote had the athleticism of Timmons....