We Are Waiting...

Another year, another badass linebacking corps. But with the seemingly exciting additions of linebackers Lawrence Timmons, Lamarr Woodley, and Bruce Davis comes a lot of pressure on Larry Foote and James Farrior's starting jobs. Everyone can pencil in James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley as the starting outside linebackers, but the real question is - who will be the starting inside linebackers?

James Farrior is the current captain of the Steelers defense, but he certainly isn't getting any younger. I have complete confidence in his football I.Q, but I have to start questioning his physical abilities as he gets along in years. Larry Foote has been a tackling machine, but his weakness lies in is his ability to rush the passer (only 3 sacks last year). And it seems like I'm not the only one who has noticed. In fact, word around mini-camp is that Timmons (aka "The Groin") has the greatest chance of cracking the starting lineup, replacing Foote.

Game after game the Steelers use a linebacker blitz, which involves both inside linebackers cris-crossing in hopes of either sacking the opponent's quarterback or disrupting a running play in the backfield. To me it makes sense that if this blitzing style is to continue and be effective, the Steelers will need someone who can wreak more havoc on opposing Offensive Lines than Foote/Farrior have over the past two seasons.

How does everyone feel about Lawrence Timmons? Are the linebackers to blame for our uncharacteristically ineffective pass rush last season? Or is the problem the Defensive Line's inability to eat up blockers? Where will Bruce Davis fit into the Steelers defensive equation?

In other Steelers news...
OFTOT will not be advertising in the 2009 super bowl.
There has been a Cedric Wilson sighting!!!