LaMarr Woodley

Linebacker-Michigan

2nd Round — 46th Overall

 

Talk about making the transition from a defensive end to an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

 

No big deal at all. I have the linebacking blood in me. It's just something that I know I can do, going from my freshman year into my sophomore year I changed positions, and I got into it right away. I don't think it's a big deal at all.

 

Coach Butler said that the Michigan defense was patterned after the Steelers defense.  Were you aware of that, and will it help with your transition?

 

Yes. Some of the schemes that we used with our defense were similar to Pittsburgh. I was mainly down at end, but I had the opportunity to learn some of the linebacking position. At our school, we ran those schemes.

 

You can also play special teams, correct?

 

Oh yeah. I can do it all. I love special teams. 

 

Can you compare yourself with any linebackers that we'd be familiar with?

 

I think my game, from the defensive end standpoint, is kind of patterned like Sean Merriman's. I'm constantly getting after the quarterback, constantly making plays behind the line of scrimmage.  You have to know where I am at all times.

 

After your pro day, we got the sense that the Steelers were impressed. Keith Butler just said that he was impressed with your pro day. What happened at that pro day with the Steelers?

 

Before that day, no one knew what LaMarr Woodley had. I had to put all of my eggs in one basket and show everybody what I can do. I knew I'd be asked to do some linebacker drills and some defensive line drills. I said, "I'm going to go out here, and I'm going to give my all on this day," and that's what I did.

 

Were you disappointed to be drafted in the second round? 

 

Everything happens for a reason. If that's what happened, that's what happened. I'm going to make the best of the opportunity that I have. I'm not going to complain about it. I'm going to go out here, and I'm going to compete every game like I would if I was a first-rounder.

 

Do you see yourself getting playing time as a rookie?

 

Oh yeah.  I can come in, and I can contribute because I'm going to come in and work hard right away.

 

Are you familiar with the Steelers' situation, losing Joey Porter, and taking that first-round outside linebacker pick?

 

It's going to be a lot of competition going on right away.  A lot of guys want to be out there on that field. I know I'm going to have to come in and compete with some of the guys that are already there, compete with draft picks, and I'm willing to come in and do just that.

 

Were you able to get to the Super Bowl [XL] at Ford Field?

 

No, I did not get a chance to get to Ford Field.

 

Are you satisfied going to a team that's going to use you in a 4-3 or would you rather play your normal way at [defensive] end?

 

Oh, I'll play whatever they [the Steelers] want. I'm just excited to be on that defense, especially since I was a Steelers fan growing up. I had always rooted for the Steelers. The Steelers were my favorite team.

 

Why did you root for the Steelers?

 

When I was playing when I was younger, I decided to put on the [uniform number] 36, and I called myself "The Bus," and ever since then, I've been rolling.

 

You know, the Steelers play with an attitude on defense. Do you bring that attitude?

 

Oh, I bring attitude to the game. I bring attitude, and I bring a lot of leadership to the game. That's what you're going to get out of me. You're going to get a hard-working guy who's going to come out there and compete every play—a guy who hates to lose. When a guy hates to lose—like me—he definitely has an attitude.

 

Are you a vocal guy and a demonstrative guy like Joey Porter, or are you more of the quiet type like we understand Lawrence Timmons is?

 

I talk here and there, but I'm more of a quiet type because, when you go out there and make a big play, you don't have to say much. What you just did just spoke for everything. So, that's me.

 

Ryan Mundy said to tell you "What's up?"

 

Hey, I just talked to Ryan. He said "Dreams do come true. Don't they?"