The O-Line ... changes in store

[ikestops85]

No, our running game deteriorted when we had a Hall of Fame RB retire who probably made our OL look much better than they were. IMO Bettis made Cowher look prettty good. If Cowher tried to have the offense he had with any RB other than Bettis he would have been a very average coach.

We were lucky to have a once in a generation talent in Bettis who combined size and agility like he did.

Granted we were lucky to have a talent like Bettis play for us but you can't discount the O-line we had his last 2 years. The O-line in 2004 was one of the best run blocking lines we have had in Pittsburgh. They used Ben to help get a lead and then we would run, run, and run some more. Opponents knew we were going to run but they still couldn't stop us. That was the amazing thing about them. Staley was having an excellent year until he got hurt. Remember Bettis was just the short yardage back that year. Even the next year we started Parker and Bettis was the change of pace back we had a very good running game. Even in 2006 with Bettis retired Parker ran for close to 1500 yards and 13 TDs.

Then in 2007 Larry Zierlein was hired and he tried to institute a zone blocking scheme. Faneca didn't like it so I think they kept a lot of man blocking for that year and we ran okay. The next year with Faneca gone and the zone blocking scheme in place our run game started spiralling downhill and has not recovered.

[BigRob]

According to Wexell, Steelers have incorporated zone reads into their scheme for years. The biggest difference, and one I like, is the type of o-linemen we have utilized lately.

I'm all for more athletic 0-linemen. The top running teams in the league have the athletic o-linemen. You also have to have the right running back. This leads me to believe we will take one that fits this scheme better. Randle from OK. State perhaps?

[Chadman]

According to Wexell, Steelers have incorporated zone reads into their scheme for years. The biggest difference, and one I like, is the type of o-linemen we have utilized lately.

I'm all for more athletic 0-linemen. The top running teams in the league have the athletic o-linemen. You also have to have the right running back. This leads me to believe we will take one that fits this scheme better. Randle from OK. State perhaps?

Randle looks very promising, Ellington looks damn fine too.

Larry Z tried to incorporate a ZBS with an OL designed to block for Jerome Bettis. If there is 1 critisism of Tomlin that Chadman can lay at his feet, it's that they should have known right away that the big fat maulers that were leftovers from Cowher, were not ZBS Olinemen. There's nothing wrong with a ZBS, there's nothing wrong with a Man Block system. You just have to have ther right guys to run it.

Looks like the Steelers will lose Mendenhall at the wrong time- the way he runs, a good ZBS would probably make him more effective. Man Blocking schemes are generally designed to build a power run heavy offense. Mendenhall simply isn't that type of RB, and would flourish if allowed to run outside of the "Inside Zone" more often.

Concerningly though... if Mendy leaves, and Redman & Dwyer are RBs 1 & 2...they are power runners... and more suited to Man Blocking...

[BigRob]

Randle looks very promising, Ellington looks damn fine too.

Larry Z tried to incorporate a ZBS with an OL designed to block for Jerome Bettis. If there is 1 critisism of Tomlin that Chadman can lay at his feet, it's that they should have known right away that the big fat maulers that were leftovers from Cowher, were not ZBS Olinemen. There's nothing wrong with a ZBS, there's nothing wrong with a Man Block system. You just have to have ther right guys to run it.

Looks like the Steelers will lose Mendenhall at the wrong time- the way he runs, a good ZBS would probably make him more effective. Man Blocking schemes are generally designed to build a power run heavy offense. Mendenhall simply isn't that type of RB, and would flourish if allowed to run outside of the "Inside Zone" more often.

Concerningly though... if Mendy leaves, and Redman & Dwyer are RBs 1 & 2...they are power runners... and more suited to Man Blocking...

Apparently they still ran some zone concepts with Kugler. It will be interesting to see if they can actually develop a decent o-line.

I think they have to be more concerned with run blocking because Roethlisberger is not going to allow you a great pass blocking line.

The good news is that a vicious play action game (ala a successful running game) would make Big Ben lethal.

[calmkiller]

The only change that needs to take place on the Oline is for it be healthy and stay healthy. We have 4 top picks on the line and every single one of them missed time last year due to injury.

[Slapstick]

The Steelers incorporated zone blocking concepts back when Duce Staley joined the team because he liked running behind zone blocking....they changed the scheme to fit the player and were successful until he was injured...

They never fully moved away from it...

The run blocking was fine with Zierlein...Willie Parker was leading the league and Mendenhall also had good seasons....

[feltdizz]

The only change that needs to take place on the Oline is for it be healthy and stay healthy. We have 4 top picks on the line and every single one of them missed time last year due to injury.

This^^^

If Gilbert doesn't fall on people and realizes the difference between hurt and injured we should be fine. Better yet..keep him on the sideline.

I actually liked the OL when Pouncey moved to G and Legs was the C.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers talk with Foster’s agent before free agency opens

March 9th, 2013
Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review



Steelers guard Ramon Foster is an unrestricted free agent.

The Steelers had contract discussions with Ramon Foster’s agent, Joel Segal, on Thursday and will eventually make the unrestricted free agent offensive lineman an offer once the organization gets a better grasp on their current finances, said a source with knowledge of the meeting.

However, that offer may come too late and significantly under market value in order to retain Foster. Arizona, Chicago and Tennessee have shown interest in the 27-year-old guard. The N.Y. Giants could also be a potential suitor if they can’t re-sign Kevin Boothe.

Because of a new rule, agents are allowed to start formal talks with other teams starting three days before the start of the new NFL calendar year (12:01 a.m. Saturday) which is set for 4 p.m. Tuesday.

No signing can be announced until the opening of free agency if a deal is reached.

The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Foster has been a regular on the Steelers offensive line since being an undrafted rookie out of Tennessee in 2009.

Foster started 30 consecutive games at guard and 42 of 44 including Super Bowl XLV since being inserted into the lineup for a Week 10 game against the Patriots in 2010.

Foster has been extremely durable at a position that’s been injury prone for the Steelers in recent years. Foster missed only the second half of the season-opener against Denver with a severe headache before playing the final 966 snaps of the year at right guard.

According to ProFootballFocus, Foster allowed only two sacks the entire season – the least of all Steelers starters.

Foster signed a 1-year tender for $1.26 million last year as a restricted free agent after not getting much interest on the open market. He became expendable when the Steelers used a first round draft pick on right guard David DeCastro and decided to move Willie Colon and his recently signed 5-year, $29 million contract to left guard within a month of each other.

However, Foster started all 16 games last year when DeCastro was injured during the preseason.

[URL]http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2013/03/09/steelers-talk-with-fosters-agent-before-free-agency-opens/#.UTqsheHnmOc.twitter[/URL]

[flippy]

This is where I think everyone fits except Gliby. Could possibly move Adams to LT and Beachum at RT and find a LG. But I don't think Adams is a fit at LT either.

Ultimately this is why I can see the Steelers taking a look at LTs in this draft. Usually you've gotta be in the top 10 if you want a premiere LT and we're not usually this close. And there's a couple of good potential LTs. I think one could fall.

[BigRob]

K.C. and Haley had Jamaal Charles at RB, makes a big difference.

He also had Thomas Jones who ran very well behind the same line.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

so foster allowed only 2 sacks in 16 games playing 2 different positions.

I would say that's outstanding value for a 1.27 million dollar investment. Just a shame some here won't give this kid some credit. I hoe he goes elsewhere so the "experts" can find someone else to blame when the offense stinks.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

so foster allowed only 2 sacks in 16 games playing 2 different positions.

I would say that's outstanding value for a 1.27 million dollar investment. Just a shame some here won't give this kid some credit. I hoe he goes elsewhere so the "experts" can find someone else to blame when the offense stinks.

I hope he stays. The way we lose O-linemen to injury, we'd better have a lot of bodies who can play.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Could any of these guys surprise us?

72 Cheadle, Justin OG 6-2 290 23 R California
71 Long, Joe T 6-5 304 23 R Wayne State (MI)
62 Malecki, John OG 6-2 298 24 1 Pittsburgh

[supersteeler]

Could any of these guys surprise us?

72 Cheadle, Justin OG 6-2 290 23 R California
71 Long, Joe T 6-5 304 23 R Wayne State (MI)
62 Malecki, John OG 6-2 298 24 1 Pittsburgh

Possibly, but with no snaps or not enough of them we'll never know. When camp breaks that will be the time for these guys to show the coaches what they can do in combination of the pre-season. Sometimes you could have a diamond in the rough sitting on the bench...play em and lets see.

If it wasn't for the injuries Beachum might not of had a chance to show what he can do, now he at least showed he could compete for a starting role and worse be a decent backup

[lloydroid]

This^^^

If Gilbert doesn't fall on people and realizes the difference between hurt and injured we should be fine. Better yet..keep him on the sideline.

I actually liked the OL when Pouncey moved to G and Legs was the C.

If they would start hitting free weights, instead of just using wussy machines, they would fair much better on the injury front.