Armed With New Contract Timmons Ready To Take The League By Storm

Lawrence Timmons, one of the Steelers starting inside linebackers, can sometimes get overshadowed on the field by the spotlights that usually shine on Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. Yesterday the Steelers proved that Timmons is just as dynamic a player as Polamalu and Harrison by signing him to a head spinning 6yr $50 million dollar deal that makes him the second highest paid middle linebacker in the NFL. Timmons new deal is just $1.33 million lower than the current highest paid middle line backer in the NFL, Jon Beason of the Carolina Panthers, who just signed a 6yr $51.33 million contract last month. Timmons new contract includes $18 million in bonuses and keeps the sublimely talented linebacker with the Steelers until the conclusion of the 2016 season. Timmons was scheduled to make 650k this year. That's quite the pay increase.

Timmons is a fantastic player and in a few years this new contract will likely seem like a bargain. Ask defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau what he thinks about Timmons, "The sky is the limit for him," Lebeau offers.

Timmons just turned 25 in May and is only entering his THIRD season as a starting linebacker. The guy is an athletic freak who can cover ground almost as quickly as Polamalu. Don't believe it? Ask any of the Steelers defenders.

Linebacker James Farrior had this to say yesterday about Timmons, "He reminds me a lot like Troy.He makes plays the way Troy makes plays, he closes on ball-carriers and receivers the way Troy does. He has a lot of those same instincts that Troy has. We kid him about it all the time, he can get back there and play safety if he wanted to."

Timmons doesn't get as much attention as a player like Polamalu or Harrison because his game isn't as flashy. He only recorded three sacks last year, but was leading the league in tackles at the midpoint of last season. He ended the season with 135 tackles (96 solo) and also forced and recovered two fumbles. Did I mention his two INT's as well?  His most eye popping stat from last year was, not surprisingly, an underrated one. He had nine passes defensed, to put that in perspective it was only 2 less than cornerback Ike Taylor who tied for the team lead and 2 more than free safety Ryan Clark. Clark and Taylor don't blitz anywhere close to the amount that Timmons does in Coach Lebeau's exotic defense.

Timmons feels that his sack totals will increase this year, "I feel like I can make more plays and make all parts of my game better," Timmons said. "As far as pass-rushing, I felt like I dropped the ball there because I felt like I missed quite a few sacks. I feel like I can help the team more with that this year."

Timmons went on to say, "I think my speed kind of works against me. The quarterback gives you a double move, and I run past him. I felt I could have had at least double-digit sacks last year because I had so many hurries. And those hurries turn into missed sacks pretty much."

Don't doubt that Timmons can do anything he sets his mind to, all you have to do is hear his teammates and coaches rave about the level of talent he possesses, Farrior said Timmons, "can be the best linebacker in the NFL.He's already the most athletic linebacker in the league right now."

James Harrison offered his opinion, "He's quick and explosive. He had a better understanding of the defense last year, and this year looks like he will be even better. It looks like he's getting faster and more explosive each year."

All reports out of camp reiterate what Harrison said, Timmons looks even better this year. Timmons is primed for a spectacular year, one that will create a spotlight all to himself.