http://www.espn.com/blog/afcnorth/p...-down-fast-food-to-stay-youthful-for-steelers
Lawrence Timmons put down fast food to 'stay youthful' for Steelers
6:00 AM CT
Jeremy Fowler
PITTSBURGH -- Chick-fil-A. Krispy Kreme 12-packs. Chocolate milk.
Lawrence Timmons is an equal opportunity consumer.
"I love [Popeye's] spicy chicken there with the honey and the biscuits," the 10th-year Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker said. "That's terrible, bro. But I love it."
During the offseason, however, Timmons prioritized an appetite for playmaking over his off-field cravings, which might have revitalized his career in Pittsburgh.
Timmons, 30, cites a slimmer physique for his recent production with the Steelers' defense, which has him on the field for nearly every snap.
Losing 5 to 10 pounds by cutting down fast food during the offseason has Timmons feeling "like I'm 25 again," he said.
That's good timing, since the stage appeared set for a subtle phaseout. First, in late 2015, the Steelers started taking Timmons off the field on nickel-package downs. Then, the Steelers let Timmons -- whose $15.1 million salary-cap hit goes off the books after the season -- enter a contract year without a new deal. Then they signed top reserve Vince Williams to a three-year contract.
But Timmons' playmaking has sparked the Steelers during a seven-game winning streak. Timmons isn't as explosive as linebacker Ryan Shazier, but he's looked more reliable in pass coverage, resulting in two interceptions in his past five games.
"I have to stay youthful out there," said Timmons, who has 114 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the year. "When you're 30, [your body] is not the same. I can't just go out there and be the way I was."
That means adding an extra 30 minutes of cardio to Timmons' workdays, either before or after practice. Timmons cheats with every postgame meal, opting for wings and burgers and cupcakes. But the drive-through trips are far less frequent and the milk is no longer whole.
Timmons acknowledges a contract year was motivation to "be on your best behavior." But he wanted to make the changes for himself and the team.
He's not bitter about the team not re-signing him and considers himself fortunate to finish out a six-year contract he signed in 2011 that paid out almost $50 million. He's hopeful younger players get theirs now.
If Timmons continues what he calls a "utility guy" role -- playing the run, rushing the passer and staying in coverage -- then his chances of finishing his career in Pittsburgh could be good. Timmons, head coach Mike Tomlin's first draft pick, very much wants that to happen.
"Everybody has their time. This is their time," Timmons said about younger Steelers such as Le'Veon Bell and others. "I had my big contract. It is what it is. I can't be mad. I can't complain. I'm happy. ... I don't make any top-level decisions, but I would love to stay here."
And Timmons isn't about to label his play as anything more than "all right." The standard of Steelers linebacker greats before him won't allow overconfidence.
"You can't be any other NFL linebacker when you're a Pittsburgh Steeler," he said. "I feel I'm an unfinished product."
Lawrence Timmons put down fast food to 'stay youthful' for Steelers
6:00 AM CT
Jeremy Fowler
PITTSBURGH -- Chick-fil-A. Krispy Kreme 12-packs. Chocolate milk.
Lawrence Timmons is an equal opportunity consumer.
"I love [Popeye's] spicy chicken there with the honey and the biscuits," the 10th-year Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker said. "That's terrible, bro. But I love it."
During the offseason, however, Timmons prioritized an appetite for playmaking over his off-field cravings, which might have revitalized his career in Pittsburgh.
Timmons, 30, cites a slimmer physique for his recent production with the Steelers' defense, which has him on the field for nearly every snap.
Losing 5 to 10 pounds by cutting down fast food during the offseason has Timmons feeling "like I'm 25 again," he said.
That's good timing, since the stage appeared set for a subtle phaseout. First, in late 2015, the Steelers started taking Timmons off the field on nickel-package downs. Then, the Steelers let Timmons -- whose $15.1 million salary-cap hit goes off the books after the season -- enter a contract year without a new deal. Then they signed top reserve Vince Williams to a three-year contract.
But Timmons' playmaking has sparked the Steelers during a seven-game winning streak. Timmons isn't as explosive as linebacker Ryan Shazier, but he's looked more reliable in pass coverage, resulting in two interceptions in his past five games.
"I have to stay youthful out there," said Timmons, who has 114 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble on the year. "When you're 30, [your body] is not the same. I can't just go out there and be the way I was."
That means adding an extra 30 minutes of cardio to Timmons' workdays, either before or after practice. Timmons cheats with every postgame meal, opting for wings and burgers and cupcakes. But the drive-through trips are far less frequent and the milk is no longer whole.
Timmons acknowledges a contract year was motivation to "be on your best behavior." But he wanted to make the changes for himself and the team.
He's not bitter about the team not re-signing him and considers himself fortunate to finish out a six-year contract he signed in 2011 that paid out almost $50 million. He's hopeful younger players get theirs now.
If Timmons continues what he calls a "utility guy" role -- playing the run, rushing the passer and staying in coverage -- then his chances of finishing his career in Pittsburgh could be good. Timmons, head coach Mike Tomlin's first draft pick, very much wants that to happen.
"Everybody has their time. This is their time," Timmons said about younger Steelers such as Le'Veon Bell and others. "I had my big contract. It is what it is. I can't be mad. I can't complain. I'm happy. ... I don't make any top-level decisions, but I would love to stay here."
And Timmons isn't about to label his play as anything more than "all right." The standard of Steelers linebacker greats before him won't allow overconfidence.
"You can't be any other NFL linebacker when you're a Pittsburgh Steeler," he said. "I feel I'm an unfinished product."
I like that popeye's spicy chicken too, Lawrence. Glad you're a Pittsburgh Steeler
