An OL Question that I need thoughts on

[isonator07]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

I just wonder if the new o-line coach can fix any of the problems on the line. If so I would be thrilled to be able to address the defensive side (DL and DB's) and maybe RB depth. It would be nice to have some first round talent on the line though.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

Ken Laird is reporting that the Steelers are high on Pouncey for their first-round pick.

I'm not sold on Pouncey. Though he is one of the top-rated centers, I'm not convinced he's really a first-round talent. I'm not sure there's any center in this class that merits the 18th pick. I'd be OK with Tennant later on.

here is more on what Ken Laird said -

Ken Laird, ESPN1250.com, Steelers Blog

Remember last year when two interior offensive linemen the Steelers were interested in (Alex Mack went to Cleveland at 21 and Eric Wood went to Buffalo at 2 went ahead of their #32 pick in the draft? A year later, the Steelers may very well make amends for missing out on an interior mauler. We've known since the NFL Combine that Idaho guard Mike Iupati is highly thought of by the Black and Gold (Iupati has said the Steelers told him in an interview him he was the #1 lineman on their draft board). Now, I'm hearing the Steelers are very high on University of Florida center Maurkice Pouncey (pronounced MAR-keece). Maurkice came out after his junior season, where he won the Rimington Award as the nation's top collegiate center. Pouncey was a part of a national championship team in 2008 (beating Oklahoma) with the Gators, and has 40 starts under his belt. At 6'4, 304 lbs, Pouncey has the size but also packs remarkable quickness, punch, and leverage into a big body. At his pro day last Wednesday (where Mike Tomlin was present), Pouncey did 26 reps on the bench press at 225 lbs, and jumped 27 inches in the vertical. Watching him at the Combine, he showed staggering agility and movement for a big body. As a part of a largely shotgun based offense with Tim Tebow at quarterback the last two seasons, the Steelers would need to groom Maurkice into a more conventional style but he has reportedly shown good ability to snap direct as well. His identical twin brother Mike played right guard for the Gators and will remain at UF this season. The two look so alike they were often were unable to be distinguished even by teammates (one fellow lineman said in an interview he knew Mike because he had a tattoo of flames on his arm that Maurkice didn't have). If he comes to the Steelers with the 18th overall pick in the draft, he'll team with Florida grad Max Starks on the Steelers offensive line. Maurkice also started 11 of 13 games as a true freshman in college at right guard, and with Steelers center Justin Hartwig signed through 2012, there is a possibility they could look at Pouncey at RG in Pittsburgh as well.

[url="http://steelershotline.com/coverstory.html"]http://steelershotline.com/coverstory.html[/url]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

We should draft Maurkice this year, and then his identical twin brother Mike next year! That solves C and RG. We should also draft Devin McCourty, then trade for his identical twin brother Jason, who currently plays for the Titans. That solves CB. Then we should bring in Tiki and Ronde Barber as offensive and defensive assistant coaches. Then we should invite Omar Epps to visit Latrobe for camp. The fans would be all confused.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

here is our new center, can play every OL position EXCEPT tight end...

[Chadman]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

No better place than here to post these stats...

Steelers OL-

QB Sacks Allowed-
Max Starks- 8 (7th in NFL for OT)
Willie Colon- 6 (25th in NFL for OT)
Chris Kemoeatu- 4 (5th in NFL for OG)
Ramon Foster- 0 (74th in NFL for OG)
Trai Essex- 1 (49th in NFL for OG)
Justin Hartwig- 7 (1st in NFL for OC)

QB Hits Allowed-
Max Starks- 8 (18th in NFL for OT)
Willie Colon- 4 (48th in NFL for OT)
Chris Kemoeatu- 3 (37th in NFL for OG)
Ramon Foster- 5 (22nd in NFL for OG)
Trai Essex- 7 (11th in NFL for OG)
Justin Hartwig- 4 (7th in NFL for OC)

QB Pressures Allowed-
Max Starks- 15 (48th in NFL for OT)
Willie Colon- 5 (75th in NFL for OT)
Chris Kemoeatu- 9 (52nd in NFL for OG)
Ramon Foster- 10 (43rd in NFL for OG)
Trai Essex- 27 (1st in NFL for OG)
Justin Hartwig- 15 (2nd in NFL for OC)

Run Block Ratings using Pro Football Focus formula (not going to pretend to know how they figure this out)-
Max Starks- 3.8 (20th in NFL for OT)
Willie Colon- 3.3 (25th in NFL for OT)
Chris Kemoeatu- 1.1 (35th in NFL for OG)
Ramon Foster- -1.4 (52nd in NFL for OG)
Trai Essex- -16.4 (82nd in NFL for OG)
Justin Hartwig- -11.7 (32nd in NFL for OC)

[Chadman]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

Chadman used the green colour to highlight "good stats" & the red colour to highlight "bad stats".

Ramon Foster's stats need to be viewed slightly differently (same with Kemo really) as both played less snaps than the other players mentioned.

Of particular concern is that Justin Hartwig is at the top, or near the top, of every catagory for "bad stats" for the Center position in the NFL.

That said, Trai Essex didn't fair much better at OG.

Interestingly enough- our OT's were neither great or bad in most stats. Willie Colon graded out 3rd overall for OT's on this site in the NFL. Maybe the FO are right in their assessment of Willie?

[url="http://www.profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=C& stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1"]http://www.profootballfocus.com/by_posi ... numgames=1[/url]

[pfelix73]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

Now we're back at looking at stats. OK. Those can be thrown out- IMO. The QB was to blame for the 60% or so of those sacks. And I'm not complaining about it. This has been a topic for discussion for many years now and it won't go away. Where is MSM? OR do those stats not include those that are the responsibility of say- the QB, or a blown OL play call, etc. I say put in a freaking FB, one that actually is a FB and NOT a TE and see what happens then. The blocking will improve and the running game will too. I just hope Tomlin has enough guts to tell BA this, or it won't get any better.

Here's reality- We already have enough OL on the team as it is. There is plenty of competition there for camp. Yes, you can say the same for the secondary, but on the defensive side, we need more play makers, so to me, the CB spot needs upgrading and is the #1 priority for the 1st round.

I'll withhold judgment on using a high round pick on a C until after next year. I'd like to see Legursky get a fair shot at replacing Hartwig. Whenever that will be.

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

Why does every mock have us taking Guards when we seem stacked with interior linemen (Kemo, Hartwig, Essex, Urbik, Legursky, Foster) and we have nothing at OT (Starks, Colon, Hills and the new guy from Buffalo)?

I would think if we are going OL it would make sense that it would be an OT and not more interior linemen. Yet all the mocks have us taking guys like Iupati, Jerry, etc.

I know there was talk that Iupati might have the athleticism to develop into and OT but just cant wrap my mind around why everyone has us taking Guards.

Thoughts?

Unless the G or C prospect can come in a start immediately for us, there's really no reason to go there in the 1st Round. It's not out of the realm of possibility that either Iupati or Pouncey could come in a stake a claim to a starting spot next year.

*Note: for those who doubt the mediocrity of the Steelers OL, look at the stats Chadman put up.*

There is no player on this line who should feel comfortable about their starting job if the Steelers pull a miracle out of their hats and draft an OL player in either the 1st or 2nd Round.

OTOH, I'll believe it when I see it... the Steelers WILL NOT be drafting for the OL in Rounds 1 or 2... put that projection in the bank.

*Additional Note to Ovie: your remarks on Pouncey are duly noted. I'd have to say that I'm in agreement.*

[birtikidis]

Re: An OL Question that I need thoughts on

I think we could use an interior lineman. I think that Hartwig is the second worst player on the team (he must be traumatized by all the times he's been sexually assaulted by big ben). but i don't think we go center in the first round. maybe tenant at some point. I like Pouncey but think that our issues with age at other positions is what is important.