Offensive Line Could Hold Back Pittsburgh Steelers

[BlitzTo7]

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Offensive line could hold back Steelers
September, 16, 2013
By Scott Brown | ESPN.com



Steel City wake-up call: Morning links

The Steelers are almost a touchdown underdog against the Bengals as they try to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2002. But it is the 0-2 start in 1989 that ESPN NFL analyst Merrill Hoge remembers all too well.

Hoge played running back on the team that was outscored 92-10 in its first two games, and he says that coach Chuck Noll’s belief in the players -- and vice versa -- allowed the Steelers to overcome the horrendous start and make the playoffs. Mike Tomlin faces a similar challenge, especially since he is coming off his first non-winning season as the Steelers’ coach.

History suggests that the Steelers can rise above a slow start as they also made the playoffs in 2002. But Hoge says the Steelers have to overcome more than just a bad game if they are going to right themselves.

The Steelers have some glaring deficiencies that opposing teams will try to exploit, especially along the offensive line. That line faces a monumental task Monday in Cincinnati.

Tomlin reiterated his commitment to establishing the run last week.

But that may not be the way to right an offense that managed fewer than 200 total yards of total offense in a season-opening loss, and not just because the Steelers’ line and running backs are suspect.

A look around the NFL shows that it has become a passing league, and the Steelers' best hope on offense is to put the ball in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s hands.

A stout running game is strongly associated with the Steelers’ glorious past. But is the team’s commitment to it keeping the Steelers from moving forward?

Coach speak: Steelers.com catches up with Tomlin, who (surprise, surprise) lavishes praise on the Bengals. One interesting thing the seventh-year coach shares is his take on the Steelers not forcing any turnovers in last week’s 16-9 loss to the Titans.

Double trouble: The Patriots showed how tough it is to defend an offense that has two good tight ends, and the Bengals have two former first-round draft picks at the position in Jermaine Gresham and rookie Tyler Eifert. The two figure to be on the field against the Steelers more often than not, something that could take pressure off Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green.

The next step: Quarterback Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons as a starter. Dalton has set the bar higher for the Bengals -- and for himself. If he is rise to the level of elite quarterback he has to start winning in the postseason as well.

[Oviedo]

Really? We need offensive line help? Glad we addressed that area in the last draft! Ooops...forgot that we didn't think it was worth making another investment in the OL because of our past drafts. How's that working for us?

[Sugar]

Really? We need offensive line help? Glad we addressed that area in the last draft! Ooops...forgot that we didn't think it was worth making another investment in the OL because of our past drafts. How's that working for us?

I'm curious as to who you would have drafted that would have helped the team? There's a lot of high-round talent on the OL, but you can't predict injuries.

[BlitzTo7]

In regards to the OL, a lot of that can be blame on the front office. Yes, the current line has pedigree, but not enough experience. If the team wasn't in such a cap mess they could spend some money on good OL to keep Ben upright.

[feltdizz]

Really? We need offensive line help? Glad we addressed that area in the last draft! Ooops...forgot that we didn't think it was worth making another investment in the OL because of our past drafts. How's that working for us?

wouldn't matter.. we coach our OL down.

[papillon]

I think we'll have a good idea how the evening is going to go after the Steelers first offensive snap and if not the first, after the first three first down snaps. If the Steelers' first three 1st down snaps are runs, we can be pretty certain that it will be a long night. If 2 or 3 of the first 1st down snaps are pass plays, then the Steelers are handing the ball to Ben and saying, win the game. More runs than passes on 1st down and we get the same old, same old, more passes than runs and maybe something sank in and they realize they aren't going to be able to move the Bengal defensive front in the run game.

Pappy

[birtikidis]

Really? We need offensive line help? Glad we addressed that area in the last draft! Ooops...forgot that we didn't think it was worth making another investment in the OL because of our past drafts. How's that working for us?

2 first rounder
2 second rounders
1 undrafted.

That may be the most HIGH picks on an offensive line in the NFL. I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm sure you get the point.

[phillyesq]

I'm curious as to who you would have drafted that would have helped the team? There's a lot of high-round talent on the OL, but you can't predict injuries.

An interesting question. Who would you draft, and who would you give up?

Jarvis Jones looks like a keeper. Do you take an offensive lineman in the second? Hard to go into a season with just the slop the Steelers had at RB (and are trotting out there now). With Sanders a year away from free agency, do you pass on Wheaton? Both safeties are 30+, and we all know Troy's history. Hard to pass on Shmarko. We know that Ovi loves Landry Jones, so he stays. At this point, you are talking about a late round guy.

It's easy to say that the Steelers should draft lineman, but they have. Gilbert played well as a rookie, and Adams played fairly well last year. DD needs to work with the rest of the line better, but individually has played pretty well.

It is easy to say that the line stinks, but harder to find a practical solution.

[Jigawatts]

This is news if you've been in a coma since 2006

[feltdizz]

2 first rounder
2 second rounders
1 undrafted.

That may be the most HIGH picks on an offensive line in the NFL. I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'm sure you get the point.

exactly.. it's not when we draft them. It's who and how we coach them...