Steelers hire Jack Bicknell Jr. as O-line coach per Labriola

Insightful article, especially in regards to who they may or may not target in the draft and their decision-making with regards to the free agents.

Great article but not sure they have the talent to do what they say the want to do. If they accurately describe the type of lineman they are looking for then Warmack probably is unlikely. However, his teammate Barrett Jones would fit the bill.

That was a good read. Pouncey, DD and Adams all seem to fit the mold. Gilbert seems to be more of a Max Starks type than an athletic OT. Beachum has the athleticism but needs to get stronger. Legursky is adequate at center but does not get the job done at OG - he has been given the opportunity but doesn't cut it.

I think the Steelers will need to add at least one G if Foster walks and Colon is cut.

Dwyer and Redman are not well suited for a ZBS, I would hope that means that they try to resign Mendy.

[QUOTE=focosteeler;548592]Dwyer and Redman are not well suited for a ZBS, I would hope that means that they try to resign Mendy.[/QUOTE]

Doesn't Paul Johnson's option offense in Ga. Tech use zone blocking? Isn't it just a zone-read variation?

Why couldn't Dwyer succeed in a ZBS?

[QUOTE=Slapstick;548597]Doesn't Paul Johnson's option offense in Ga. Tech use zone blocking? Isn't it just a zone-read variation?

Why couldn't Dwyer succeed in a ZBS?[/QUOTE]

I have no idea what they use. I was just going off of the article stating that dwyer and redman are not well suited for a ZBS. I do remember when Mendy was coming out of college people said he would be most effective in a ZBS.

I don't know if ZBS will be any better than man. They try to make this more complicated than it is, you either make the block or don't period.
Getting lighter O-lineman isn't going to make things any better, they may even get pushed around more with huge D-linemen in front of them.

Here is the 95 Dallas Cowboys Offensive line.

Eric Williams 324

Nate Newton 318

Ray Donaldson 311

Larry Allen 325

Georger Hagamin 331


Thats a lot of beef up there and Emmitt found all the holes, lets get a feature back and leave things alone. The blocking will develope when we have the same 5 starters playing on a consistent basis. Getting smaller on the line is just a go ahead for D-linemen to get to Ben even more pushing them around like rag dolls.

Anyone know how well Zone does vs AFCN defenses? These teams all have some big boys in the middle of the field and if somehow you can get those big boys moving sideways, that might be the trick to running against them.

However, if those big boys could just as easily drive linemen backward and totally disrupt a Zone.

Thinking back to the XL run, Casey saw a couple of very small/athletic centers during the playoff run that he ate alive.

I'm a little torn on what the right way to go here is. With guys like Ngata and Atkins, I think you still need some size in the interior of your line.

[QUOTE=Slapstick;548597]Doesn't Paul Johnson's option offense in Ga. Tech use zone blocking? Isn't it just a zone-read variation?

Why couldn't Dwyer succeed in a ZBS?[/QUOTE]

Wonder if this puts a guy like Omoregie Uzzi on the radar as a mid round draft pick? A bit light in the trunk, but explosive & agile- and played for Georgia Tech, so is familiar with ZBS.

As for Dwyer- wasn't his role in the Ga. Tech offense weird? While he might have fit that offense, not sure if the ZBS suits him, or if he was just a good fit for the role they had him in. Still, there's no reason Chadman can see to say he won't be able to succeed.

[QUOTE=flippy;548627]Anyone know how well Zone does vs AFCN defenses? These teams all have some big boys in the middle of the field and if somehow you can get those big boys moving sideways, that might be the trick to running against them.

However, if those big boys could just as easily drive linemen backward and totally disrupt a Zone.[/QUOTE]

Last year, the Chiefs (when Bicknell was O-Line Coach) rushed for 120 yards or more against each AFCN team...