Woodley elevating his game in second half of the season

By Mike Bires

One reason why the Steelers can be dangerous if they get into the playoffs _ and that’s still a big if _ is the possibility of Troy Polamalu lining up again at strong safety. But another reason is LaMarr Woodley's continued rise toward stardom.

Right outside linebacker James Harrison, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, received nationwide claim the past two seasons for the havoc he’s wreaked on opposing defenses. But last year in the playoffs, Woodley, the Steelers’ left outside ‘backer, had a six-to-one edge over Harrison in sacks.

“He’s been that kind of guy since he’s been here,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Woodley. “His rookie year, he came on late in the year. Late last year, he was playing good football. He’s a guy that’s on the rise at the appropriate time and that’s what makes him a good player.”

Woodley, the Steelers’ second-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, has been coming on strong as the ’09 season winds to a close.

In each of the Steelers’ last seven games, he’s recorded at least a half sack.

This past Sunday as the Steelers (8-7) kept their slim playoff hopes alive by edging the hated Baltimore Ravens, 23-20, Woodley had one of the best games of his young career.

In fact, Woodley upstaged Harrison, who’s owned the Ravens in their previous two visits to Heinz Field during the regular season. In those two games (both Pittsburgh wins), Harrison was a one-man wrecking crew with six sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble receovery and an interception.

But this year, it was Woodley who stole the show.

And according to Woodley, his performance had nothing to do with Harrison reporting for duty with a strained biceps that had his playing status listed as questionable right up until kickoff.

“I’m always looking to be the guy,” said Woodley, a former University of Michigan star who primarily played defensive end in college.