Speaking of facts and figures, when I think about Woodley, I cannot help but think about the book "The Phantom Tollbooth." It is a story about a misguided youth (Milo) and his cohorts (Tock, Humbug) who are sent on a journey by two feuding brothers (King Azaz: Ruler of Dictionopolis; and The Mathmagician: Overseer of the Number-Mines of Digitopolis) to rescue their twin sisters: Rhyme & Reason. Essentially, it is a story about valuing both numbers and words. In other words, delving into this analogy, Woodley is both mathematically and visually an all-star.
KING AZAZ & THE MATHMAGICIAN
Think about it this way. If one were to add up all of Woodley's plays from last season (including the playoffs), it would only total about a game and a half...roughly eighty snaps of the ball. In that short amount of time, Woodley recorded six sacks. If one were to project those numbers onto an entire season, Woodley would have recorded over sixty sacks. Mind you, I am well aware that not only did Woodley play mostly on passing downs, but he also came into the game with fresh legs. But, even if one were to cut that projected sack total in half, Woodley would still be on pace for thirty sacks.
More importantly, it is not just the numbers. Using the eye test, it appeared that Woodley was on the field a whole heck of a lot more than eighty snaps...because, when he was out there, he was making plays. In other words, despite only playing eighty snaps, he had more "impact plays" than players who were on the field for several hundred more snaps than him; a greater proportion of Woodley's plays were "highlight worthy."
In other words, just as King Azaz & The Mathmagician came to realize: it is not just the numbers or just the facts...it is both. Woodley looks like a whirling dervish...and has the numbers to back up it up.
TOCK, THE "WATCH"-DOG
Alas, my completely & utterly obsessive brain can not rid itself of these "Tollbooth" analogies. All aspects of that book have crept into my brain, tinting my viewpoints. Take for instance, Tock the watch-dog (a watch with a dog's head & legs) is constantly worried about time...which every Steelers fan should be, as well. Time for Ben to throw the ball; time that opposing quarterbacks have to find receivers; and, time that is running out for some of the older players on the team. (Note: I will talk about the first two aspects of time later on; for now, I will only focus on the third element: age.)
Pittsburgh's offensive and defensive lines are getting older every year. And, try as they might, the young players have yet to prove that they can carry the torch. For example, an eventual replacement for Aaron Smith has been drafted in each of the last four drafts. Yet, not a single one of those young players looks ready to supplant Aaron when he retires. Mind you, Aaron is the best defender on the Steelers...but, he is not getting any younger. Similarly, Deshea Townsend is the team's most solid & reliable defensive back. And likewise, his replacement has been drafted for four years running, as well. Yet, Deshea is still starting...and like Aaron, Deshea will hit the proverbial "wall" all too soon.
Thankfully Pittsburgh made an effort to replace its aging linebacking corps, by drafting Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley last year. But, despite all of the glowing reviews that the coaches have given Timmons, the front office resigned James Farrior to a four year extension...and James is just as old as Aaron & Deshea. In other words, Kevin Colbert can say all the delightful things that he wants to about Timmons, Farrior's re-signing implies a different story.
Speaking of resigning players, after this season, five offensive linemen will be free-agents: three starters (Willie Colon, Chris Kemoeatu, & Marvel Smith) and two immediate back-ups (Max Starks & Trai Essex). In other words, come this time next year, the Steelers could be starting three rookies on their offensive line...with rookies backing up those rookies. In short, while the skill players on the Steelers are young & talented (e.g. Ben Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes), the core of the team is aging rapidly.
Tick...tock...
