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Re: State of OL going into 2012
There appears to be a disconnect on this board between what the fans think of the OL and what the Steelers management thinks of the OL.
Colbert has said multiple times, he drafted Gilbert to be our left tackle of the future. That is probably what's going down. Regardless of what we the fans might think of his foot speed, Colbert is going into this year's draft with the mindset that he has his left tackle of the future. That's what he did with Starks, and Marvel Smith before him.
What about right tackle? The coaches have shown us on multiple occasions (including contract negotiations) they feel Colon is a near pro bowl caliber right tackle. They do NOT view him as a guard. They have had many opportunities to slide him inside and they are not biting. Foster was a college OT and they moved him inside to OG. Chris Scott was a college OT and they moved him inside to OG. Essex was a college OT and they moved him inside to OG. They are not moving Colon. The problem is Colon may not be able to stay on the field due to injuries. So they may look to draft another OT for depth. Probably a big RT who could flex down to RG. These can be found regularly in the middle rounds.
The one position the fans and front office appear to agree on is LG. The coaches have shuffled around different starters there from day one this past season and they still don't have a solution. Look for them to draft a high round starting LG this April. Glenn, Konz, even trading up for DeCastro, are all 1st round possibilities so far. We'll have to wait and see which juniors declare.
Also, let's not discount the possibility of bringing in a veteran FA at either OT or OG. Brian Waters was available for cheap this last year and had a pro bowl season.
There appears to be a disconnect on this board between what the fans think of the OL and what the Steelers management thinks of the OL.
Colbert has said multiple times, he drafted Gilbert to be our left tackle of the future. That is probably what's going down. Regardless of what we the fans might think of his foot speed, Colbert is going into this year's draft with the mindset that he has his left tackle of the future. That's what he did with Starks, and Marvel Smith before him.
What about right tackle? The coaches have shown us on multiple occasions (including contract negotiations) they feel Colon is a near pro bowl caliber right tackle. They do NOT view him as a guard. They have had many opportunities to slide him inside and they are not biting. Foster was a college OT and they moved him inside to OG. Chris Scott was a college OT and they moved him inside to OG. Essex was a college OT and they moved him inside to OG. They are not moving Colon. The problem is Colon may not be able to stay on the field due to injuries. So they may look to draft another OT for depth. Probably a big RT who could flex down to RG. These can be found regularly in the middle rounds.
The one position the fans and front office appear to agree on is LG. The coaches have shuffled around different starters there from day one this past season and they still don't have a solution. Look for them to draft a high round starting LG this April. Glenn, Konz, even trading up for DeCastro, are all 1st round possibilities so far. We'll have to wait and see which juniors declare.
Also, let's not discount the possibility of bringing in a veteran FA at either OT or OG. Brian Waters was available for cheap this last year and had a pro bowl season.
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