Steeler Draft Prospect: Lawrence Timmons

**DIESELMAN** · 03-15-2007, 08:45 PM

Lawrence Timmons-Florida St.-OLB
Ht: 6'1" Wt: 234

Combine Results:
40: 4.67
225: 25
Shuttle: 4.33
3-Cone: 6.89
Vertical: 35"
Broad jump: 10'3"

OVERVIEW:

Timmons made the most of his only season as a starter, taking over strong side outside linebacker duties from departing All-American Ernie Holmes. Despite never starting a game on defense before his junior year, he was rated the 9th best OLB in college by ESPN before the 2006 season and named to Street and Smith's All-American preseason list.

In the 2005 season he was a terror on special teams. Registering 2 blocked kicks, 2 forced fumbles and recovering another. Playing behind Sims, he registered 35 tackles (17 solos) with 3 sacks and 3 QB pressures. Despite ranking tied for 14th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC with 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage, Timmons only received All Atlantic Coast Conference Honorable mention in 2006. He started every game at strong side linebacker, coming up with 79 tackles (42 solos), 5 sacks and 2 QB pressures. He also scored on an interception, fumble recovery and blocked punt return. Timmons also deflected 6 passes and blocked 2 kicks.

ANALYSIS:

Against the inside run: From the strong side, controls cutbacks and comes down the line aggressively to make tackles in pursuit. Takes on lead blockers and offensive linemen, holds his ground and clogs the hole. Does not use hands well to shed blocks.

Against the outside run: Holds the corner, forcing plays inside. Sheds the block, and makes the tackle. Is strong enough to jolt blockers with a hand punch and make tackles in the backfield. With a clear path, can chase down running backs before they turn the corner.

Blitz/coverage: Lacks experience as a blitzer. In college, usually lined up as a defensive end in passing situations. Can run around offensive tackles or beat them with quick, strong hands. Hits quarterbacks violently. In coverage, is polished and instinctive. Drops quickly and smoothly into zone coverage. Reads quarterbacks well, and closes quickly on the ball. Covers tight ends well man-to-man downfield. Shows the awareness to pick up tight ends on delayed releases after play-action fakes.

Run/pass recognition: Is almost always the last member of the front seven moving after the snap, but consistently reads the play. Does not get fooled by play-action fakes or misdirection plays, and consistently sticks to his assignment.

Pursuit/tackling: Accelerates to full speed in a flash on runs away from him. Can chase down plays from behind. Does not move quickly through traffic. Consistently makes tackles, and can deliver violent hits. Does not always use good technique, missing some tackles.

Bottom line: Timmons, a junior, is the best strongside linebacker in the '07 class. Has good upper body strength and lower body muscle definition with adequate size and a frame that continues to mature. Possesses great athletic agility, loose hips and good suddenness closing on plays in front of him. Plays with quickness and balance to stay on his feet, showing good flexibility and range to make plays along the sidelines. Smooth open field runner who plays at a good pas level for leverage. Explosive hitter when he keeps his pads down and can work through trash. High energy type who can make plays all over the field based on his instincts. Still learning techniques and in play recognition but will not hesitate to step up and take on a lead blocker. Attacks the ball with a sudden burst but must learn to play with better control. Has the change of direction ability to turn and run after the ball with no wasted steps, showing balance and agility threading through traffic. Has the strength to reroute TE's and RB's on short area routes and when he keeps his hands in front of him he can control and get off blocks. More of a collision type tackler but takes good angles to close and uses his speed to finish a play. Quick coming off the edge with his hand on the ground and if given a small gap he has the suddenness to surprise and race past a slower offensive linemen. Shows the timing and quick feet to get a good jump on the blitz, comes off the edge with urgency and a second gear to close and push the pocket. Timmons can be effective in a 4-3 defense on the strong side or as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

**BB2W** · 03-16-2007, 12:14 AM

Tomlin was at Florida States pro day today... It was his birthday too. He must like what he saw of Timmons on film.

New Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin knows exactly what kind of talent he'll be getting if he selects a former Florida State player in the NFL Draft.

“You always appreciate this program and how these guys work and do what they do,” said the 34-year old Tomlin. “It's the culture here where these guys love football or they can't be part of the program.”

The former Tampa Bay assistant said this was his sixth or seventh trip to Tallahassee for Pro Timing Day.

But even with four new offensive coaches on the FSU staff, Tomlin found familiarity on that side of the football.

“I worked with Jimbo (Fisher) at Cincinnati,” Tomlin said. “Jimbo is a heck of a football coach. Buckle up. They are going to be very successful. He has a passion for the game.”

link: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs...10/1002/SPORTS

**K Train** · 03-16-2007, 12:44 AM

i like him alright

**BB2W** · 03-16-2007, 12:44 PM

LB Lawrence Timmons, who left FSU after his junior season, was hoping to improve on his pedestrian 4.6 40-yard dash time from the NFL Combine. But he reportedly ran a 4.63 on his first attempt and a 4.66 on his second. Timmons also participated in positional drills and looked good. However, he was obviously struggling to catch his breath in between repetitions, prompting an interesting post-workout exchange. Timmons' agent, Drew Rosenhaus (notorious for his most famous client, Terrell Owens) assured new Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin that Timmons would "be in shape by minicamp."

link: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/spo...ile_back_.html

**BB2W** · 03-31-2007, 11:38 AM

So much for rumors and innuendo.

The Steelers will leave the speculation and guesswork of next month's NFL Draft to prying media members and the team's vast legion of fans. The Steelers deal in facts, and the facts tell them Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons is a strong candidate to be taken with their first-round pick (No. 15 overall).

How much do the Steelers think of Timmons? Count the ways:

• Steelers coaches, scouts and front-office staff observed Timmons at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

• Coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert observed Timmons at Florida State's Pro Day on March 15.

• Several general managers were present when Timmons worked out two weeks ago, but Tomlin was the only head coach to attend, and Tomlin and Colbert were the only head coach/GM tag-team there.

• Oh, and did we mention that Timmons is expected to visit Pittsburgh to meet with team officials one final time prior to the April 28-29 draft?

Tomlin's presence at Florida State's Pro Day less than a month after the Combine is significant.

Tomlin could have simply gone back and watched more of Timmons on game tape or viewed his Combine performance until he needed a case of Visine, but he saw something that piqued his interest and made him want to see Timmons again in person.

Drew Rosenhaus, agent to the stars who represents Timmons, saw the same thing.

"The draft is very difficult to project. It's just too early to place Lawrence with a team. But it's always a good sign when the general manager and the head coach come and watch a player work out. It's exciting for us to see the Steelers' organization express that kind of interest in Lawrence," Rosenhaus said.

So, is the Steelers' interest in Timmons genuine, a smokescreen, or pure coincidence?

After all, the Steelers evaluate all of the top draft-eligible players thoroughly. They have to check out everybody, because you never know when a player you didn't expect to be available might fall into your lap.

However, for high-ranking members of the Steelers to schedule at least three visits with Timmons after the season -- not to mention also scouting his college games -- says a lot about Timmons as a player, and even more about the Steelers' having a legitimate interest in drafting him.

Last season, Timmons recorded 79 tackles (including 18 tackles for a loss), five sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and two blocked kicks. He's a big hitter with the versatility to play the run, pressure the quarterback and drop into coverage.

He's comfortable playing in the 3-4 or 4-3 formation, which, coincidentally, is what the Steelers are expected to play under Tomlin.

Timmons told reporters attending the Combine that he played the 3-4 about 25 percent of the time at Florida State. He prefers the 3-4 because he can rush the quarterback from the end position.

Timmons, who left school with a year of eligibility remaining, would fill an eventual need at outside linebacker for the Steelers, who released Joey Porter and replaced him with James Harrison, who turns 29 in May.

Clark Haggans, the other starting outside linebacker, is 30.

Timmons turns 21 in May.

"Leaving early as a junior, most people still think you're a kid," Timmons said. "I just want to let them know I'm professional, and I can do anything and everything they want me to."

Tomlin seems convinced. Even after Timmons posted pedestrian times of 4.63 and 4.71 in the 40 and appeared winded between drills at Florida State's Pro Day, Tomlin came to Timmons' defense.

"The (game) tape is his walking-and-talking resume," Tomlin told the Tallahassee Democrat. "Sometimes people get enamored with workouts and things of that nature. The No. 1 thing is the tape. And his tape is his biggest ally."

No idle chatter, this.

link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_500438.html

**Koopa** · 03-31-2007, 01:57 PM

tomlin could've been there for church too, church worked out at the pro day, and then we signed him a couple of weeks later...........

**K Train** · 03-31-2007, 07:18 PM

now that ive read up on him, it seems he is actually a great edge pass rusher, he played some DE at FSU but was mainly used a LB due to his athleticism and playmaking ability.