Larry Foote is doing his best to hold onto his job at inside linebacker, where he's started the past four seasons. Reality, though, is staring him in the back because Lawrence Timmons is breathing down his neck.
Timmons, the team's first-round draft choice in 2007 and Mike Tomlin's first as a head coach, is trying to take Foote's job from him and Foote believes he will.
"I don't think it's competition," Foote said rather candidly. "I really think it's just a matter of time until they throw him in there, just because of the politics of the game -- and it looks like he can play."
Timmons played mostly on special teams last season and managed only a few snaps on defense. His athletic ability, his quickness and speed are obvious. As long as he picks up the defense, he should have no trouble playing in it.
Tomlin has been excited ever since Timmons was drafted 15th in 2007 and remains so. He believes he can have an impact on his defense. Timmons missed virtually all of his first spring with the Steelers last year because of a hamstring injury. He has missed no time this spring.
"He's healthy, for one," Farrior said. "And I think this offseason gave him some time to reflect and look back on the defense and try to really understand it. I think he's coming along just fine."
Foote has been solid as the mack inside linebacker, starting all 64 games the past four years. He led Pittsburgh with 123 tackles in 2005, even though he does not play on passing downs. Timmons has the kind of ability that he may eventually move to the buck linebacker spot that Farrior plays so well, but Farrior is 33 and in the final year of his contract.
"My time might be winding down at that position," Foote said. "It's just a matter of when the coaches throw him in there. "My whole career has been up and down. I've been in this spot before. You can't worry about that stuff. When they feel like he's ready, I'm quite sure he's going to be in there."
Only one of Pittsburgh's first-round draft choices did not become a regular starter by at least his second season since Bill Cowher became their coach in 1992. Offensive tackle Jamain Stephens did not become a regular until his third - and last - season with the Steelers in 1998.
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