Steelers linebacker James Farrior admitted he struggled on the field at times in 2009, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Farrior, who has led the Steelers in tackles each of the last five seasons, said, “I left a lot of plays out on the field. There were some situations I could have played a lot better.” He seemed to struggle mainly in pass coverage but is hopeful he can bounce back and not be taken off the field in passing situations this year. It appears as though the Steelers brought back Larry Foote not only to add familiarity and depth to the linebackers, but also as an insurance policy should Farrior’s play decline.
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DrGeorge
July 21, 2010 at 10:32 am
James Farrior is and ought to be remembered as one of the great Steelers linebackers of all time. I saw him play in college and have been a fan of his since then. However, he is also human and subject to the same decline of physical skills as any other athlete. The truth is he isn’t as fast as he once was and struggles in covering tight ends and backs coming out of the backfield on short crossing routes. On obvious passing downs, Farrior must be replaced with a speedier LB or the defensive scheme must be adjusted (I can’t imagine how) to accommodate for his reduced speed. Many of our top defensive players are pushing the last years of their careers and the torch must be passed, probably sooner rather than later in Farrior’s case. Farrior didn’t “leave a lot of plays on the field” last year because he lacks the will or the knowledge; he simply doesn’t have the speed any more. The coaching staff has addressed this by drafting speed at LB, but the development of those rookies will take a year or two. Larry Foote is a stop gap measure until the younger LBs learn to play at NFL speed.
jay
July 21, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I agree, Doc….James Farrior cannot play LB anymore PERIOD!!!! He cannot cover anyone!