Lawrence Timmons

I've been very disappointed in Timmons performance this year. He's missed tackles and had wrong read on running plays and seems out of positions too many times for someone with his experience and athleticism. I sometimes feel like Spence and Williams are better than Timmons. One of the things I heard Tomlin mentioned that Timmons was going to be like Derek Brooks of the Bucs. Timmons is no where close to Brooks. Brooks was a smart player and never seem to be out of position.

 

Well, I know it would be hard for me to compare the two; I watch way more Steelers football that I ever have Bucs. When you say "Brooks never seemed out of position" what is your reference, actual games or highlight reels?

I think TImmons is a very solid ILB. He has flaws, but he exceeded my initial expectations as a guy who supposedly had a lot of trouble shedding blocks moving to the inside. He was always noted as a guy with lot of speed that had tendencies to overpersue, and you definitely see that from him at times.

 

I've been a little disappointed in Timmons too, but only because he is a really good player and I have high expectations for him. I don't think his play has been exceptionally poor, but definitely not up to the highest of his potential.

I strongly disagree with your thoughts on Spence and Williams though. Spence does a decent job, but he seems to me to be the worst tackler we have on the team. Especially in one on one situations. Williams is physically incapable of being an every down player, so he is really only a specialty back up. He would be a huge liability in nickel and dime situations if asked to cover (which they wouldnt), so he is strictly a base/goal line D option in my personal opinion. Timmons is way better than both of them.

 

He had turf toe early in the year, I wonder if he ever really healed from that... I think he had a bout with it last year as well?

That aside, I think he's lost a step...he isn't the most athletic LB on this team anymore... let the other guys be the hero...

Doesn't help him that he is playing next to different people snap-to-snap and game-to-game as well.

 

I don't think when they moved him after cutting Farrior that he developed into what they were envisioning for him. You guys who break down the tape tell me is he holding down teh position or is he struggling? are the added responsibilities weighing down his game?