Up Close With The Pittsburgh Sports Report
Steelers Rookie Lawrence Timmons

On April 28, 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers took Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons in the first round of the NFL Draft, making him the first linebacker selected by the team in the first round since 1991.

Despite never starting game on defense before his junior season, Timmons was named the ninth best outside linebacker in college by ESPN prior to the 2006 season. In his first two seasons with the Seminoles, Timmons saw time mostly on special teams and in coverage units as he toiled behind All-American Ernie Sims.

Timmons took over the strong-side outside linebacker duties his junior season and made the most of it, compiling 79 tackles, five sacks, two pressures, and started all 13 games. As a result, he made the All-American third-team and All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team.

Pittsburgh Sports Report Editor Tony DeFazio caught up with Timmons at mini-camp:

PSR: What were the first thoughts that ran through your head when the Steelers called your name?

Timmons: It was a great feeling just to get drafted. I thought and hoped I would go top 15, so it was a great honor when it happened. I was pretty familiar with the Steelers, I mean they won the Super Bowl just a few years back, and I know about the dynasty, and it's just a great team to be a part of. They run a 3-4 and they like to rush the passer, and that's great for me.

PSR: What kind of challenge is it for a rookie to possibly replace an All-Pro like Joey Porter?

LT: I don't know if I'll really be just stepping in. This is a complex defense here, so you know, I still have to fully learn the defense and I'll just be taking things one day at a time right now.

PSR: Alonzo Jackson is a Florida State graduate who was drafted in the second round by the Steelers, but was never able to make the transition from defensive end to linebacker. Is his situation something you're familiar with?

LT: He was before my team. I came to Florida State after he was already gone, so I don't know too much about him.

PSR: There are a couple guys on this team that you did play with at FSU: Willie Reid, Bryant McFadden and Marcello Church. It is easier having those ex-Noles around?

LT: Yeah those guys were all there with me. They gave me a lot of info on what to expect, just advice and telling me to just be myself and things will be alright.

PSR: You only started for one year at Florida State. It's early, but how has the transition been so far?

LT: No, I'm just going to do what got me here. That's what I did when I was playing at Florida State. Sometimes everybody wants to try different techniques and all kids of different stuff, but I'm just gonna do what got me here, man.

PSR: Does the scheme matter much to you? Are you more comfortable as an outside backer in a 3-4 or a 4-3?

LT: It doesn't matter because I played both of them. It's been pretty much all 3-4 so far though.

PSR: Have the coaches talked to you at all about lining up with your hand on the ground in certain situations?

LT: I don't know, but it doesn't matter. You're always going to get the opportunity to rush the passer here, and rushing is rushing.

PSR: Do you plan to compete for a starting job?

LT: I've got to learn the defense first before I start to talk about competing for anything.

PSR: Have you been frustrated by the injury you sustained in mini-camp? You got sidetracked before you were really able to get started.

LT: I don't really see it as frustrating, it's just a little injury. You're going to get injured in this game. There's not a player here who's not been injured. You're going to go through them. I've just looked at it as an opportunity to sit back and learn the defense.

PSR: This has traditionally been a defense-first team. Does Mike Tomlin impress you a defense-first kind of coach?

LT: I just know that if he came here after a coach like Bill Cowher, then he's got to be a good coach. He'll do a good job.

PSR: You've probably heard that the fans here are crazy about their Steelers, but they sort of shift into overdrive when it gets cold and when the snow starts falling. You grew up in South Carolina and played college ball in Tallahassee - think you're ready for those 20 degree December games?

LT: Yeah. I played in the snow before though, in South Carolina, so I've done it before. It's just football. In high school it snowed in South Carolina - we have mountains in South Carolina. Blue Ridge Mountains, Sassafras Mountain. It snows there.

PSR: How long will Bobby Bowden hang around?

LT: It was great playing for him. He's a living legend, more power to him, and he'll coach for however long the good Lord will let him. He's too dedicated.