The Linebacker Conundrum

Injuries are hitting the Steelers hard as they head into a Sunday night showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. Brett Keisel and Lamarr Woodley have injured hamstrings. Flozell Adams are Trai Essex are recovering from ankle injuries. And Aaron Smith may be out for the year with a torn triceps injury.

How the Steelers fill the voids at most of those positions are pretty clear. Jonathan Scott will step up for Adams at right tackle. Ramon Foster and Doug Legursky have been plugging the gap for Essex at right guard. Keisel and Smith will be replaced at the defensive end positions by Nick Eason and Ziggy Hood respectively.

But the biggest debate seems to be coming at linebacker. How will the Steelers manipulate their roster to handle the potential loss of Woodley. When the Pro Bowler went out during the win in Miami last Sunday, rookie Jason Worilds got a little playing time.

Also, the Steelers occasionally put Larry Foote at his old inside linebacker spot which is now occupied full time by Lawrence Timmons. Then Timmons jumped outside into Woodley’s position.

The Steelers other inside linebacker is defensive captain James Farrior. And he endorses the prospect of putting Foote back in the starting line up while moving Timmons outside.

“I think that’s the best move for our team to put Lawrence outside if Woodley can’t go,” declared Farrior. “Cause I don’t think it’s much of a drop off. I played next to Foote for years. And Timmons knows everything about playing the outside backer position. And he’s a spectacular athlete.”

Farrior is right.

I think.

For now.

Especially since Woodley did practice Thursday, the Steelers could get by with that alignment for one week or in small doses this week if Woodley dresses but sits out a lot of snaps. But even if Woodley should be limited or should aggravate the injury for weeks to come, Timmons’ “spectacular” athleticism could be compromised rushing off the edge against hulking right tackles.

Timmons’ burst toward the line of scrimmage is much more powerful rushing straight ahead on a quarterback blitz or to blow up a running play in the backfield. Plus he would be more effective dropping into coverage from the inside than the outside-left.

Furthermore, Timmons has tried outside linebacker before here, and it didn’t work. He was an outside linebacker in college. He was believed to be ticketed for an inside spot on draft day. The Steelers kept him outside. Then moved him to inside after all. And now some think he is having a Pro Bowl year at that inside spot.

His versatility is rare in this system. That is, of course, if you consider his limited attempts to play outside “versatility.” Foote does. And he’s grateful.

“I told Lawrence during the game (in Miami) that his versatility is the only reason I’m getting to play,” laughed Foote. “Since I’ve been back (from Detroit in ‘09), and before I left, I don’t really remember anybody in this scheme who played both inside and outside. That’s in my time here anyway.”