PITTSBURGH - Chalk up another honor for one of the Steelers linebacking corps. A day after James Harrison was named to the Pro Bowl, teammate LaMarr Woodley was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his play in the Steelers 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on Sunday.
Woodley finished the game with two sacks, a forced fumble, 10 tackles and one pass defensed.
Woodley sacked Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco twice on their final drive of the game, the second one culminating in a forced fumble that Ziggy Hood recovered to seal the victory.
The third-year linebacker leads the Steelers with 11.5 sacks this season and set a Steelers record by recording at least a half-sack in seven consecutive games. The old record of six was set by Greg Lloyd in 1994.
"LaMarr is relentless. Even in college he was one of those guys that you had to put two guys on, block and know where he was at all times," Miami quarterback Chad Henne said. "Obviously with James on the other side you have to be wary of both of them."
Woodley, who was named a Pro Bowl alternate also isn't afraid to speak his heart.
"Some people said I started off slow this year, but it really doesn't matter, its a popularity contest to me," he said of being snubbed as a starter. " Maybe next year I'll get 20 sacks."
He also wasn't afraid to talk about the post-season. To make the playoffs, the Steelers need help from two AFC foes, the Patriots and Bengals.
"Cincinnati is probably going to go into New York and lay down for the Jets and not play them hard just because they're not going to want to see Pittsburgh in it. All of them lay down," Woodley said "No one wants to see Pittsburgh in it. That's just how it is. Everybody knows we're a dangerous team once we get into the playoffs, no matter how we played the whole year. Once we get into the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a playoff team."
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