Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

[SteelCrazy]

Per a site we are not allowed to post links to states during a Spreecast video chat, Gilbert said he was told during an exit meeting with the coaching staff that he'll likely be moved to LT. This means Max Starks will likely be gone in 2012 and Willie Colon will be brought back to play RT. Pouncey will play center, if he stays healthy. So we need a LG and RG. We have Legs, Scott, Foster, Essex and Kemo. I dont know what all this means, but I dont like it either.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

it means that Gilbert and Colon are slated to be our starting OTs and Pouncey of course will start at OC.

Kemo is as good as gone so Legursky and Foster will be given the first shot to be our starting OGs and competition will come from a high draft choice or two and a possible low level FA signing.

[Oviedo]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

While I think Gilbert performed OK, but no way did I see the level of perfomance that would lead me to believe he is ready to play LT and protect Ben's blindside. I don't see anything yet except a slightly more talented Jon Scott. That is not enough to protect a franchise QB.

I'm hoping for Starks to come back.

[phillyesq]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

While I think Gilbert performed OK, but no way did I see the level of perfomance that would lead me to believe he is ready to play LT and protect Ben's blindside. I don't see anything yet except a slightly more talented Jon Scott. That is not enough to protect a franchise QB.

I'm hoping for Starks to come back.

I'd also like to see Starks return, if for no other reason than depth, but with Starks having an ACL injury, who knows how much he'll weigh when the season starts.

Gilbert showed a lot of potential, but he also has room to go. The injury to Starks may allow the Steelers to retain him for the vet minimum, and let Starks, Colon and Gilbert compete.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

Don't forget .. Gilbert didn't have OTA or full training camp and he still did passable. A lot of players make great strides between year 1 and 2.... so it is not out of the question that he could turn into at least as good of a tackle as Starks (especially with his ACL).

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

For some reason, the Steelers hate Starks and love Colon. If they treated Max like they're treating Willie, after Max tore his ACL in the final game, they'd have given him a raise and penciled him in as the starter.

For the life of me, I can't see how Colon > Starks.

[LouSteel]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

Well, it looks like another season of OL musical chairs

I liked Gilbert, but I like him more at RT. Give him the chance to develop and learn a position.

LT at 1.24? I don't follow college ball enough, are there any good projections there?

[pfelix73]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

This has been talked about locally ever since training camp....Why are there still some people surprised by this? Oh well, some just don't get the memo....

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

Well, it looks like another season of OL musical chairs

I liked Gilbert, but I like him more at RT. Give him the chance to develop and learn a position.

LT at 1.24? I don't follow college ball enough, are there any good projections there?

I don't see any legit OT prospects at 1.24. USC's Matt Kalil, Iowa's Riley Reiff, and Stanford's Jonathan Martin will all likely be off the board in the top half of the first round (and therefore out of our reach in round 1). The next tier of OT's (the Florida State pair Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko plus Ohio State's Mike Adams, among others) are likely day two picks.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

I personally think Gilbert will blossom at LT and turn out to be on a "Marvel Smith" level or better. He has some pretty good feet and I like how he can recover because of his body control. He just plays over his feet...That is something you like to have going against speed rushers with some wiggle. You guys don't give him enough credit for what he did as a rookie without a camp. I also know there is alot of Colon haters. However, when healthy, & it appears that will be the case, he is a very good RT. This OL is one OG away from being very good and a second OG (which may be on the roster or in the draft) away from turning that corner and finally being a strength. Bash who you want...But I will take the 3 penciled starters and build.

[Oviedo]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

Well, it looks like another season of OL musical chairs

I liked Gilbert, but I like him more at RT. Give him the chance to develop and learn a position.

LT at 1.24? I don't follow college ball enough, are there any good projections there?

I don't see any legit OT prospects at 1.24. USC's Matt Kalil, Iowa's Riley Reiff, and Stanford's Jonathan Martin will all likely be off the board in the top half of the first round (and therefore out of our reach in round 1). The next tier of OT's (the Florida State pair Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko plus Ohio State's Mike Adams, among others) are likely day two picks.

The player that interests me is Cordy Glenn who could develop into a good OT, maybe even a LT, but would be able to step in immediately at Guard. He will likely be there at 1.24 unless he just blows away teams leading up to the draft.

My non-professional football scout opinion is that Zebrie Sanders is just too light to be a factor in Year 1. Datko and Adams are proably late Round 2 picks at best. I also really like Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin as a Round 2 consideration.

I have no faith that Colon comes back healthy or stays that way so I'm with those who expect another year of the "OL Shuffle"

[ikestops85]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

I personally think Gilbert will blossom at LT and turn out to be on a "Marvel Smith" level or better. He has some pretty good feet and I like how he can recover because of his body control. He just plays over his feet...That is something you like to have going against speed rushers with some wiggle. You guys don't give him enough credit for what he did as a rookie without a camp. I also know there is alot of Colon haters. However, when healthy, & it appears that will be the case, he is a very good RT. This OL is one OG away from being very good and a second OG (which may be on the roster or in the draft) away from turning that corner and finally being a strength. Bash who you want...But I will take the 3 penciled starters and build.

Count me in as one of the Colon haters. Not really a hater but definately a basher. The guy is a walking penalty flag machine. He hasn't played in over two years so it will take him at least a year of playing before he gets back to his mediocre self. I don't know if Ben will last that long. The biggest thing Colon has going for himself is he's Ben's BFF.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

Well, it looks like another season of OL musical chairs

I liked Gilbert, but I like him more at RT. Give him the chance to develop and learn a position.

LT at 1.24? I don't follow college ball enough, are there any good projections there?

I don't see any legit OT prospects at 1.24. USC's Matt Kalil, Iowa's Riley Reiff, and Stanford's Jonathan Martin will all likely be off the board in the top half of the first round (and therefore out of our reach in round 1). The next tier of OT's (the Florida State pair Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko plus Ohio State's Mike Adams, among others) are likely day two picks.

I agree. Not a great OT draft in the middle & end of the 1st. You throw some of these guys in some of the last 3 years of draft classes the scale would widen. There will be teams overdrafting them on need in the late 1st early second and I assume the Steelers won't be one. I don't see the Steelers looking for one early if they feel Colon will be fines & Gilbert will move to LT. Sounds like this will be the case. My gut tells me we won't see and OT inside the 1st three rounds.

Not a good year for OG at the Top but you could land one that may have you shaking your head in a couple of years in the 2nd & 3rd. I want Decastro in the 1st. Only OL I would take if he fell at #24...Which won't happen. Out of the guys early who may be in our range... I Like Washington & Zeitler in the 2nd or Nix in the 3rd. I actually believe all of them will win a starting spot day 1.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

To count on Willie Colon in any capacity after missing the past two seasons due to injury is retarded. Heck, even relying on Pouncey at this point is worrisome considering his ankle history.

[Dee Dub]

Re: Marcus Gilbert says he'll likely be moved to Left Tackle

I don't see any legit OT prospects at 1.24. USC's Matt Kalil, Iowa's Riley Reiff, and Stanford's Jonathan Martin will all likely be off the board in the top half of the first round (and therefore out of our reach in round 1). The next tier of OT's (the Florida State pair Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko plus Ohio State's Mike Adams, among others) are likely day two picks.

This time last year no one thought Marcus Gilbert could come in and start immediately. I think Zebrie Sanders could start and do a solid job at RT. And I know if Cordy Glenn is there at 24 he can start at LT or G and be solid.