Back in 2011 LaMarr Woodley was on pace to, at least, be considered for the NFL’s defensive player of the year award. Woodley led the Pittsburgh Steelers roster through eight games with nine sacks including two sacks of Tom Brady in a week 8 match-up.
However, late in the third quarter Woodley came off the edge after Brady and came up lame with a hamstring injury.
In 2012, Woodley battled another hamstring injury as well as other injuries that plagued his entire season and he finished with only four sacks. After the season Woodley was called out by many fans and members of the media as well as an anonymous player/coach on the team.
Heading into the off-season Woodley pledged to work hard and come into training camp ready to go and in better shape to help him stay healthy in 2013. According to multiple reports he has done just that.
#Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley looks great. Didn’t get a chance to talk w/ him yet but definitely shed some pounds, as has Cam Heyward
— Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) June 11, 2013
Also, according to Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Woodley changed his off-season training regimen and linebacker coach Keith Butler has taken notice and likes what he sees.
“Whatever he did, it appears to be right,” Butler said. “The biggest thing is we’ve got to keep him on the field. LaMarr is a prideful man. He understands he has to play at a certain level to fulfill his contract, you might say. He’s working on it.”
There has been a lot of talk over the past two years about JJ Watt, Aldon Smith, Clay Matthews, and Von Miller and there ability to get to the passer and dominate games from the defensive side of the ball. Everyone who watched Woodley during the first half of the 2011 season knows he has the talent and ability to be that type of player.
The only thing holding him back the past two years are those nagging injuries. Hopefully for Woodley, and the Steelers who need Woodley at the top of his game given the absence of James Harrison, 2013 will see him back at the top of his game and he can make a legitimate run at the defensive player of the year award.
