Timmons A ‘1960s Linebacker’

Posted Nov 22, 2006 by Aaron Knox

Updated Nov 22, 2006 at 09:10 AM

If you don’t know much about Florida State junior linebacker Lawrence Timmons, other than for what he does on the field, that’s because he prefers to keep a low profile. Timmons is having a monster season for the ‘Noles, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference with 18 tackles for losses. He also is starting to face questions about whether he plans to remain at FSU for his senior season or enter his name in the NFL Draft.

“I’m staying here,’’ Timmons said earlier this week. “We are going to have a great team next year.’‘

FSU coach Bobby Bowden is praying Timmons sticks to his word. As good as Timmons has been this season, he is often overshadowed by his more boisterous and outgoing fellow linebacker, senior Buster Davis. Like Timmons, Davis is having an excellent season and is considered a solid NFL prospect. As injuries devastated the rest of the defense this season, Timmons and Davis have been the unit’s heart and soul.

Whereas Davis is considered a bit undersized for the NFL, which will probably hurt his NFL draft status some, Timmons is the kind of explosive, athletic linebacker that makes NFL scouts drool on their notepads.

“If he stays healthy, he’s going to be a millionaire someday,’’ FSU linebackers coach Kevin Steele said. Steele should know since he spent four seasons in the NFL as linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers. Steele said for a player who was a wide receiver in high school, Timmons has yet to scratch the surface in how good he can be as a linebacker. That should scare running backs as they see Timmons come their way.

But what impresses Steele the most about Timmons is the way he goes about his job.

“Lawrence is not a rah-rah kind of guy,’’ Steele said. “I call him a 1960s linebacker. He’s old-school. He loves to play football. That’s what drives him. He isn’t in it for all the hoopla that comes with being a great player.’‘

So, next time you see Timmons return an interception for a touchdown the way he did last week against Western Michigan, or knock a quarterback silly the way he has all season, don’t expect him to mug for the cameras.

That’s not his style.