Current Steelers offensive line offers insight into the future

[hawaiiansteel]

Current Steelers offensive line offers insight into the future

by Steel City Retro
Dec 19



Far be it from me to look ahead to 2013 for the Steelers, since they are still right in the thick of the playoff chase, but some things are coming into focus nonetheless. It’s funny how things work out sometimes in the NFL, but it’s also not exactly an odd ball occurrence either. Players get injured, underachieve, or the front office makes decisions mid season that carry over into future years.

For the Steelers, the Offensive Line started out with Max Starks, Willie Colon, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, and Marcus Gilbert. Over the weeks it’s transformed, mainly due to injuries, and might be giving us an indication of what’s to come later on.

David DeCastro is now the starting RG and will remain there since coming back from injury and Willie Colon being placed on IR, and former RG Ramon Foster now moved to LG. Marcus Gilbert went on Injured Reserve at the end of November and was replaced previously by Mike Adams, who is set to return possibly this weekend when the Bengals come to town. Max Starks is still his reliable self, holding down the fort at LT, but he is an unrestricted free agent again in 2013.

With Starks, the nine year veteran has been off and on the Steelers roster the last two seasons. The team brought him back after a rash of injuries early in 2011 in an effort to try and save what was left of Sean Kugler’s group and solidify the musical chairs ensemble that Pittsburgh was dealing with. It would seem that Starks would likely be available again should the Steelers need him next year, however his performance this season could make a target in free agency for teams looking for a veteran LT.

Speaking of free agents, Ramon Foster has nearly 40 starts in his young NFL career and is still making the league minimum of $1.26 million. His stock will rise significantly next season and if the Steelers want to keep him they would be wise to lock him up before free agency starts if possible. While he may not garner top dollar he will certainly be looking for a much bigger payday.

Willie Colon is in the middle of a 5 yr, $29 million dollar contract that he signed in June 2011, but is not on Injured Reserve again for the 3rd season in a row. The Steelers restructured his deal this past offseason to save cap room but it may be time to move on from the oft injured lineman and go with the youth movement.

The young talent invested in the line over the last 2 seasons in particular will need to start taking a prominent role for what’s left of 2012 and certainly in future years. That’s as it should be and we should expect the Steelers front office to give them a chance to take over their respective starting jobs and move forward with what could be an elite blocking line for years to come.

Even with Starks still at LT for this season yet, and doing a fine job at that, don’t be surprised if your 2013 line looks like:

LT – Marcus Gilbert
LG – Ramon Foster
C – Maurkice Pouncey
RG – David DeCastro
RT – Mike Adams

Perhaps Gilbert and Adams switch positions, as both have experience on either side of the line, but either way they look to be the bookends of the future. Combined with youth and toughness in the middle there is much to look forward to the remainder of this season and in the future.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/current_steelers_offensive_line_offers_insight_int o_the_future/12470677[/URL]

[flippy]

I think we could be alright with Gilbert, Colon, Pouncey, DD, Adams. I think we may be stuck with Colon and should probably try and bring Max back. If we cut ties with Colon, I'd try to bring Foster back too and move DD to the Left next year. I would be all for drafting another G in next years draft either way. Colon's injury prone and Foster's limited in capability.

[skyhawk]

Starks is the unsung solid hero of this year's dim offense.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I would leave DD at right guard, cut colon, and resign foster and max if I could.

let gilbert and adams battle it out for the right side with beachum being the swing guard and back up RT.

[BigRob]

I think we could be alright with Gilbert, Colon, Pouncey, DD, Adams. I think we may be stuck with Colon and should probably try and bring Max back. If we cut ties with Colon, I'd try to bring Foster back too and move DD to the Left next year. I would be all for drafting another G in next years draft either way. Colon's injury prone and Foster's limited in capability.

Not unless Gilbert pulls his head out of his azz. He was terrible this year and was a one man wrecking crew against his own team.

[Slapstick]

Not unless Gilbert pulls his head out of his azz. He was terrible this year and was a one man wrecking crew against his own team.

Perhaps the new OL coach can work with him...

[BigRob]

Perhaps the new OL coach can work with him...

Agreed, he had a good rookie year. I think he loses focus too easy and I don't think he worked very hard in the off-season. I am hoping for an above average O-line coaching hire.

[flippy]

Not unless Gilbert pulls his head out of his azz. He was terrible this year and was a one man wrecking crew against his own team.

I like him better on the left from what little we've seen of him there. I also like Adams on the right and would keep him more focused on run blocking. That's why I'd like to get DD over to the left so we can run right behind Adams, RG, and DD.

I think Adams and Foster did ok together and we ran well their way with Colon pulling.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

I like him better on the left from what little we've seen of him there. I also like Adams on the right and would keep him more focused on run blocking. That's why I'd like to get DD over to the left so we can run right behind Adams, RG, and DD.

I think Adams and Foster did ok together and we ran well their way with Colon pulling.

with DDs ability to pull, I think he is much more valuable at RG.

[Oviedo]

Adams or Gilbert at LT = Ben Injured and missing games. Neither has shown even a glimpse of being able to play the hardest position in the NFL. The team would be delusional going forward with one of them at LT.