The most underrated Steeler, 2016



. .. and before then

The Pro Bowl nominations were announced yesterday, and while five Steelers made the team, one whom I think is deserving did not.

That is linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who leads the Steelers with 98 tackles, 65 of them solo.

His 98 total is about 30 more than the next person on the list, his 65 about 22 more than anyone else.

Why didn't Timmons make the roster? Probably because the defense on which he plays stinks. Yes, it has been better the last few weeks since the Steelers' schedule is so weak. Yet, we all know that even if they get into the playoffs, Tom Brady will pick them apart and the Pats' defense will make Roethlisberger look like he usually does in the postseason: inept [check out the postseason numbers on pro-football-reference.com]

In addition, Timmons is not one of those guys who blows his own horn. He is not a darling of the media, which is how people become stars.

He is just a damn good inside linebackers.

Timmons' resume

Timmons was drafted in the first round of the 2007 draft, and he became a starter shortly after that. He recorded 65 tackles in 2008 and 78 in 2009. He then became the Steelers' leader with 135 in 2010, and he has been one of the top tacklers since that time.

Timmons never misses a game, unlike a guy who tries to line up beside him, yet the Steelers are going to cut him after the season is over because he is making more than $10 million a year, $11 million guaranteed.

So, if you eliminate Jarvis Jones and Mike Mitchell from the defense, which they will for ineptitude, and James Harrison because he set the sack record, that would give the front office some cap room without killing Timmons. In fact, they could probably restructure Timmons' contract for a year.

Vince Williams is supposed to be his replacement, and he has been decent as he has had to replace Ryan Shazier on many occasions, including four games this year. However, Williams is a sixth rounder for a reason. He is just not a great regular-rotation guy.

Nevertheless, Timmons is the man, and he has some gas left in the tank. They should try to narrow down his contract a little and try to keep him around for another season.

Timmons will not make the Hall of Fame, nor will any of his defensive teammates. Nevertheless, he has made a major contribution to their defenses over ten years and was a member of the Super Bowl team that defeated the Cardinals.

Congratulations, and thank you, Lawrence. You have been a great role model for young players, unlike most of those players who are in the Pro Bowl.

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