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You have to enjoy a little strife among Cincinnati's intra-divisional opponents. The Baltimore Ravens have to resolve Joe Flacco's contract situation, while celebrating the departure of Ray Lewis and possibly Ed Reed. Pittsburgh has significant cap issues to resolve with internal issues involving one of the team's best linebackers -- at least when he faces the Cincinnati Bengals.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an annomous teammate shredded LaMarr Woodley for not being in shape, which has led to slow recovery to injuries in the past two years.
"He was awful," one teammate said of Woodley's performance last season.
"He tells us he works out, but we didn't see it. He wasn't in shape. That has to be a reason why he was always hurt."
Ron Cook with the Post-Gazette writes:
It's easy to say Woodley got fat -- literally and figuratively -- after he agreed to a six-year, $61.5 million contract before the 2011 season, including a $22.5 million signing bonus. But that would mean ignoring those nine sacks in the first eight games of 2011. He was in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year conversation before his hamstring injury.
The crew at Behind The Steel Curtain have noticed it too, with some fans even supporting Pittsburgh releasing Woodley during the offseason.