The Standard is the Standard-Paging LaMarr Woodley

As Mike Tomlin enters his sixth year as head coach, he has given many Tomlin-isms over the course of his career, but none more infamous than this one;

“The standard is the standard.”

That quote is now a sign affixed outside the Steelers locker room this season, where players will now be reminded of what it really means; the Pittsburgh Steelers way. When fans think of the Steelers, their first thought is usually defense, and for good reason. Over the past two years, they have been the number one overall ranked defensive team. A defense run by Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau, he has earned his reputation in the game for creating a defensive style known for wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and rattling offenses. LeBeau has to credit one key member of that defense, and one who seems to be an irreplaceable member on this team; outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley.

Woodley burst into the limelight in 2008, finding a rhythm and finishing with 11.5 sacks, spending his time on the field instilling paranoia on opposing offenses. He gained notoriety for teaming up with James Harrison as they became one of the most feared linebacker duos in football. But this season Harrison is gone, and Woodley becomes the focal point of LeBeau’s system.

The fact remains that Woodley’s sack count has gone down steadily over the past two years and he will be open to even more criticism since he is one of the key veterans on the defensive side. He blames the style of play that the defense has turned to, but many blame his inability to stay healthy and keep on the field. The past two seasons Woodley has played ten total games in 2011 and thirteen in 2012. Paying someone $61.5 million dollars over six years to stand on the sidelines is not what they Pittsburgh Steelers were thinking of when they handed him one of the biggest contract extensions they have ever offered.

In 2011 after he signed the contract, Woodley noted that such big contracts come with large expectations. While I do not feel he has taken particular note of it in the past two years, I do feel that this year will be different. Woodley argued his ankle injury played a large role in his lack of production, but last season a teammate anonymously blasted him for being out of shape. Woodley noted that this season he has been “getting after it” in terms of a workout schedule and seems to be in good shape according to linebackers coach Keith Butler. If all goes according to plan, a decent season will move Woodley into fifth all time in sacks for the Steelers at 53.5. Whatever he needs to do to get into the shape that allowed him 13.5 sacks in 2009, he needs to figure out.

With the departure of Harrison, questions surrounding Jason Worilds effectiveness and the possible emergence of a guy like Jarvis Jones, all point to the fact this is a “make it or break it” type of season for Woodley. I have full faith in Woodley’s ability to return to the form that has made him great. Players have better years than others, and admitting he worked hard to be in shape this year is almost an admission about the fact that he was not last year. Let’s be honest; The Steelers defense is a much scarier unit when a healthy, in shape LaMarr Woodley is pass rushing a quarterback. The standard is in fact the standard and I hope Woodley rises to the challenge.

by Beth...Follow Beth on Twitter