Standout Florida State University linebacker Lawrence Timmons, center, hugs his cousin, Brenda Lee, second from left, as his aunt, Catherine Brown, left, shows her emotion after hearing his name called on television during the first round of the National Football League Draft in Miami Beach, yesterday. Timmons was selected by the Steelers as the team's top selection in the draft this year.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Minutes after the Steelers made their first selection of the NFL draft, coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert faced the media with smiling faces and words of praise. They couldn't have been happier. How else would you expect two football men to behave after making the 15th choice of the first round?
The subject of their affection yesterday was Lawrence Timmons, a 6-01/2, 232-pound outside linebacker from Florida State.
Tomlin went so far as to compare him to Derrick Brooks, a similar-sized outside linebacker from Florida State who played in his 10th Pro Bowl earlier this year.
"We are really excited to have Lawrence," Tomlin said. "His football character is what we seek. He is a guy that loves the game. He is very versatile. His skill set defies scheme."
Colbert, true to his Pittsburgh roots, made a more local comparison. To him, Timmons brought to mind former Steeler Greg Lloyd, who played in five Pro Bowls in the 1990s.
"He is relentless and he loves the game," said Colbert.
That all may be true, but beyond the praise there's a body of evidence that indicates Timmons could be a project at a position where the Steelers look to be in need of immediate help.
Let's not forget the praise that followed the previous time the Steelers took a linebacker from Florida State. That was Alonzo Jackson, the No. 2 pick in 2003, who made eight tackles in nine games in his short-lived Steelers career.
The problem with Timmons is this: He is undersized and inexperienced.
As Brooks has shown in his career with Tampa Bay, outside linebackers don't have to be rangy. But it helps. They don't have to weigh 250, either, but that helps more. Outside linebackers must deal with 300-pound tackles on their way to the quarterback.
Tomlin said Timmons projects as a right outside linebacker, the position from where the team traditionally has generated its strongest pass rush. Joey Porter, who started at right outside linebacker from 2000 through 2006, played at 6-3, 250 pounds.
"Sure, ideally you want them 6-3, 260 pounds and running a 4.5," Colbert admitted. Timmons was timed at 4.66 in the 40 at the Combine.
What's more alarming about Timmons, who left Florida State after his junior season, is his lack of playing experience. He started only one season for the Seminoles. Granted, Florida State usually is awash in highly athletic players. But how many first-round draft choices started only 13 college games? How many came off the bench mainly to play special teams in 25 games?
Sure, Timmons played behind Ernie Sims, a first-round draft choice of the Detroit Lions last season. But Sims wasn't the only linebacker for Florida State. Great players find a way to get on the field and start.
In discussing the many assets of Timmons, Colbert said, "Lawrence is an outside linebacker, but we think he has the versatility to play inside as well. He can play at the point, he can chase the ball, he can cover and he can sure rush the passer, so there isn't anything at the linebacker position that this kid hasn't done."
If he's that versatile, why couldn't he get on the field on a regular basis before his third season at Florida State?
It was no surprise the Steelers went after an outside linebacker in the first round. It's a key position in their 3-4 defense and a spot where the team needs help.
With Porter gone, backup James Harrison is penciled in as the starter, but he hardly is a lock. Harrison, who will be 29 next month, has been a valuable reserve for the Steelers, but there is doubt about whether he can start regularly in the NFL.
Timmons will come to camp as a backup, but with a chance to win the starting job.
"We're going to create a competitive environment," Tomlin said. "Guys are going to get an opportunity to compete. That's what football is about. Those decisions we decide inside the white lines, as it should be."
The Steelers have a recent history of No. 1 draft choices making an impact. The 2001 No. 1, Casey Hampton, started 11 games as a rookie. In 2002, Kendall Simmons started 14 games. In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger started 13 games and in 2005 Heath Miller started 15.
The exceptions are 2003 No. 1 pick Troy Polamalu, who did not start a game as a rookie, and Santonio Holmes, who started four games last season. Regardless of their rookie playing time, all have been or figure to be important contributors for the Steelers.
That might hold true with Timmons, but it's way to early to make such a pronouncement.
(Bob Smizik can be reached at bsmizik@post-gazette.com.)
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