The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/362774
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? injuries from 2011-13 that limited him to 34 of 48 possible game appearances, Woodley saw his sack totals decline to nine, four and five, respectively, leading to a parting of ways with the Steelers and a new home with the Oakland Raiders. "I was a Pittsburgh fan growing up and it was an overall good experience, but there's nothing wrong with a change," Woodley said. "I'm a pass rusher and I feel like the last few years, the rushing opportunities weren't there. I turned into a glorified defensive back in our system, covering receivers more than I was pass rushing. "Everyone thought I was going to sign with Tennessee, but when I looked at the Raiders' defense, it's a bunch of hungry young guys and they're going to allow me to get after the quarterback. If I went to Tennessee, I'd be that 3-4 outside linebacker again like Pittsburgh, and I want to put my hand back in the dirt and start rushing." Woodley knows he has his critics. A faction in Pittsburgh is probably rooting for him to fail so they can justify letting him leave. He's heard it all before — that he benefited playing on a defense with other superstars — and he's motivated to prove he can flourish on his own. "The one thing I learned is someone always tries to find a way to disregard what you do," he said. "My second year, I had 11.5 sacks and six in the playoffs, and they said the only reason LaMarr Woodley did that was because he had James Harrison, and the next year I had 13.5 sacks, and they couldn't say that, and the next year I had 10, and they still found a way to downplay what I was doing. "I never disrespected anyone — Coach Carr taught me that — but they loved James Harrison in the media and they gave him all the credit. Even when he was out, and I had nine sacks, they said, 'Well, without James he's just not as good' like nine sacks is so easy to do. "But people that know football know what I brought to the table, and when I was a free agent, there were plenty of teams that were interested because they believe I can help their team get to the playoffs." The people of Saginaw, especially the youth he has coached at camps, This year, Woodley begins his eighth sea- son in the NFL and first with the Oakland Raiders, after starting at outside line- backer for six seasons (2008-13) with the Pittsburgh Steelers during his seven-year run with the organization. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS