Farrior, Foote....Sly?

Steeler fans might have noticed a time or two on Sunday that James Farrior was replaced in the lineup by Larry Foote. This was not due to injury but was by design. Mike Tomlin sighted a great camp and preseason of Larry Foote for the playing time, I must have been watching a different set of preseason games.

With the substitutions that took place, it opened up a whole new debate about the middle linebacker spot. The Steelers looked slow and rather old in their Sunday beat down from the Baltimore Ravens. The defense did not pick up releasing tight ends or running backs coming out of the back field, why? Maybe the reaction time is not there.

Stevenson Sylvester, aka Sly, has been a highly touted player since signing as an undrafted free agent before last season. Sly is a hard hitter, smart player and very quick to the ball. Sly finished his four year career at Utah with 262 tackles, 142 assisted and 120 solo with 9 sacks, two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns and four forced fumbles.

During Sly's rookie campaign he played sparingly on defense but made a huge impact on special teams. Sly had 14 tackles and a forced fumble, but it was the intangibles that really made him stood out. Sylvester has a knack for the ball and is extremely physical.

Sly seems to have an extremely great attitude as well. I have met the man multiple times, both as an undrafted rookie and as a second year pro. He loves the game of football and really respects the tradition of being a Steelers linebacker.

You don't just make the Steelers roster as a linebacker, you earn that spot. If the Steelers are going to experiment with linebackers maybe its time to give the young guy a shot.