Steelers LB Woodley emerging as team's new leader

[polamalubeast]

PITTSBURGH (AP) — LaMarr Woodley knew the haters were going to show up. He understands they just can't help themselves.

So the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker steeled himself for the backlash after signing a six-year, $61.5 million deal in August to will keep him with the franchise through 2016.

He didn't have to wait long.

All Woodley had to do was hop on his Twitter feed after the defending AFC champions were rolled by Baltimore 35-7 in the season-opener to read how he was overpaid, how his numbers were great because so many teams focused on stopping teammate James Harrison, how he wasn't fit to be the next leader of one of the league's most dominant defenses.

His response? Eyerolls. Lots of them.

"People expect you, when you sign this big contract, to become this Super Freak all of a sudden," Woodley said. "That's what people expect and when you don't give them that early and you're losing, people are looking for reasons to talk about certain people, reasons to point fingers."

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http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/53808--steelers-lb-woodley-emerging-as-team-s-new-leader

[Count Steeler]

Let's see how he plays when Harrison gets back. If both play up to their potential, now we are talking Steelers football.

[tube517]

"People expect you, when you sign this big contract, to become this Super Freak all of a sudden," Woodley said.

http://www.golyr.de/artist_imgs/artists/56784/56784_image_8.jpg Sorry, Woodley. There is only ONE SuperFreak! :chuckle:

[Edman]

Time for Woodley to take the lead against those blasted Patriots. They doubled Harrison last year, but Woodley was neutralized. That cannot happen this time.

[suitanim]

"He's a bum, Rocky!"
http://ll-media.tmz.com/2009/10/19/1016_burt_memba_launch_1694189-1.jpg

[86WARD]

He's stepping up and showing by example. BEASTING!