zulater
08-04-2011, 09:02 PM
Jason Worilds has this problem. It is trying to find playing time at a position in the Steelers defense that is harder to crack than the DaVinci Code.
The reason?
He is an outside linebacker, one with enough promise and upside that the Steelers drafted him in the second round in 2010. But he plays behind four-time Pro Bowler James Harrison on the right side of the defense.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201108/20110804steelers_330.jpg
If he gets moved to the other side, he is behind left outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who has had three consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks and is ready to get a big multi-year contract as the team's franchise player.
Worse, Harrison and Woodley, who have combined for 71 1/2 sacks since 2008, most by a linebacker tandem in the NFL, almost never come off the field.
"They are two great ones," Worilds said. "They were here before me, they were here first, they made names for themselves. They are great players and they're great mentors. Just to be a part of this Steelers linebacker lineage is an honor. My time will come."
The Steelers would like it to come soon. Worilds (6 feet 2, 257 pounds), a converted defensive end who played at Virginia Tech, will not supplant Harrison or Woodley any time soon. But that doesn't mean the Steelers wouldn't like to be able to get him some playing time, if for no other reason than to give their two starting outside linebackers an occasional rest to keep them as fresh as possible throughout the season.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11216/1165047-66.stm#ixzz1U7FDzhnr
The reason?
He is an outside linebacker, one with enough promise and upside that the Steelers drafted him in the second round in 2010. But he plays behind four-time Pro Bowler James Harrison on the right side of the defense.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201108/20110804steelers_330.jpg
If he gets moved to the other side, he is behind left outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who has had three consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks and is ready to get a big multi-year contract as the team's franchise player.
Worse, Harrison and Woodley, who have combined for 71 1/2 sacks since 2008, most by a linebacker tandem in the NFL, almost never come off the field.
"They are two great ones," Worilds said. "They were here before me, they were here first, they made names for themselves. They are great players and they're great mentors. Just to be a part of this Steelers linebacker lineage is an honor. My time will come."
The Steelers would like it to come soon. Worilds (6 feet 2, 257 pounds), a converted defensive end who played at Virginia Tech, will not supplant Harrison or Woodley any time soon. But that doesn't mean the Steelers wouldn't like to be able to get him some playing time, if for no other reason than to give their two starting outside linebackers an occasional rest to keep them as fresh as possible throughout the season.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11216/1165047-66.stm#ixzz1U7FDzhnr