Kansas City Chiefs NewsNews » Woodley leads NFL's list of emerging players 2008-10-09 |
| Woodley leads NFL's list of emerging players 2008-10-09 | |
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 As evidenced by his standout play in consecutive prime-time games, Pittsburgh outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley is enjoying a breakout season in 2008.
Not that any of this surprises his defensive coordinator.
NFL's emerging players Alex Marvez scoured every team, and found that all 32 teams have at least one reason for hope. Check out each team's emerging young players. |
"The first day that we had him at practice, the tight end took off on a deep route and LaMarr jumped up and knocked the ball away," said Dick LeBeau, referring to Woodley's rookie campaign in 2007. "I was pretty sure that we were in good shape."
That's bad news for opposing offenses. Not only do his 5.5 sacks rank third in the NFL, Woodley's emergence has helped create pass-rush opportunities for fellow outside linebacker James Harrison (6.5 sacks).
Woodley's skills were on display in victories over Baltimore and Jacksonville that have lifted Pittsburgh (4-1) atop the AFC North. Following an eight-tackle, 1.5-sack effort against Baltimore, Woodley had six more stops while twice tossing Jaguars quarterback David Garrard for losses in last Sunday's 26-21 road win.
"I knew what type of player I was for a long time as far as getting to the quarterback," Woodley said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "That's one of the things I've always been best at in high school and (the University of Michigan). The thing now is going out and proving to everybody else what I can do."
A 2007 second-round draft pick, Woodley showed flashes as a rookie with six sacks (including the playoffs). But in making the conversion from college defensive end, Woodley wasn't well-rounded enough in coverage to assume a starting role.
Woodley's development gave Pittsburgh the luxury of allowing 2007 starter Clark Haggans to leave for Arizona via free agency during the off-season.
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"It's a big transition," said Woodley, who received the Lombardi Award as college football's top defensive lineman his senior season. "At end, you can just rush the quarterback all day. At outside linebacker, you have a lot more responsibility. You have to know different offensive sets because if any type of motion comes your way, you might go from being a pass rusher to having to cover. Your assignments are always changing."
Looking back, the Steelers would have been justified taking Woodley in the first round of last year's draft rather than disappointing linebacker Lawrence Timmons. The Steelers, though, deserve credit for once again successfully identifying a college end with the athleticism to play outside linebacker in the 3-4 zone-blitz scheme LeBeau crafted in the 1970s.
"He fits us perfectly," LeBeau said.
Here is a look at 31 other players who have become emerging players for their respective teams:
AFC North
Cincinnati: SS Chinedum Ndukwe. The winless Bengals have sorely lacked impact defensive plays but Ndukwe has provided a few of them. Starting the past four games in place of the injured Dexter Jackson (thumb), Ndukwe is atop the team's defensive rankings in sacks (one) and interceptions (one) to go along with 26 tackles.
Baltimore: RB Le'Ron McClain. Injuries to Willis McGahee have given McClain the chance to prove he is more than just a blocking fullback. The 6-foot, 260-pound McClain has rumbled for 266 yards and four touchdowns.
Cleveland: LB Alex Hall. Although he comes from a Division II college (St. Augustine), this 2008 seventh-round pick is showing signs of becoming something the Browns desperately need: an impact pass rusher. One of Hall's two sacks this season helped preserve a 20-12 victory over Cincinnati.
AFC East
Miami: LB Matt Roth. More remarkable than his emergence is the fact 3-4 specialists Nick Saban and Dom Capers didn't recognize the alligator-armed Roth was better suited at outside linebacker than defensive end. Roth's successful conversion under the Bill Parcells regime has helped create more opportunities for fellow OLB Joey Porter (5.5 sacks).
New York Jets: WR Chansi Stuckey. Jets quarterback Brett Favre offered high praise by saying he "likes everything" about a second-year player who spent last year on injured reserve (foot). Stuckey, who impressed Favre with his hands and maneuvering in tight spaces, has scored on three of his 14 catches.
New England: LB Jerod Mayo. Yes, a Patriots linebacker under the age of 30 can flourish. A 2008 first-round pick, Mayo already ranks second on the Patriots in tackles with 34.
Buffalo: QB Trent Edwards. The second-year pro was enjoying a magical season before being sidelined with a concussion in last Sunday's loss to Arizona. Edwards has shown poise beyond his years, leading the Bills to fourth-quarter comebacks in three of their four victories.
NFC South
Carolina: T Jeff Otah. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart wouldn't be off to such a good start if this fellow rookie weren't paving the way. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Otah already is showing signs of being a dominating right tackle.
Tampa Bay: DE Gaines Adams. He has two sacks and two interceptions, but personal statistics aren't the only way to measure how much Adams has grown in his second NFL season. The blocking attention that Adams is drawing has helped DE Greg White register a team-high 3.5 sacks.
Atlanta: Matt Ryan. In retrospect, maybe Miami and St. Louis shouldn't have snubbed Ryan with the first two picks in this year's draft. With only four turnovers in his first five NFL starts, Ryan has shown poise beyond his years for the surprising Falcons (3-2).
New Orleans: WR Lance Moore. A thumb injury suffered in the season opener by WR Marques Colston has given this third-year player the chance to shine. Moore (22 catches, 234 yards, two TDs) is the second-leading receiver for the NFL's top-ranked pass offense.
NFC West
Seattle: TE John Carlson. Finally, the Seahawks have a quality tight end that the offense has missed during the Mike Holmgren coaching era. Carlson, the second tight end chosen in this year's draft, has a team-high 11 catches.
Arizona: WR Steve Breaston. With WR Bryant Johnson having left via free agency during the off-season, Breaston has gotten the opportunity to show he can be more than an effective returner. The fleet Breaston has 16 catches for 199 yards in Arizona's past two games.
San Francisco: LB Parys Haralson. This third-year veteran has surpassed Manny Lawson as San Francisco's best pass rusher. Drafted four rounds lower than Lawson in 2006, Haralson has a team-high 3.5 sacks.
St. Louis: Chris Long. Long is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dreadful season for the winless Rams. He is tied for the NFL rookie lead in sacks with two through four games.
Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: October 9, 2008
