The O-line going forward

[Steel Maniac]

Steeler George, Ovi, whatever, buzz follow me here..

Since they did not pick up a viable starter at guard I think we can sort of see how this will eventually take shape. I believe Feiler will be the swing guy and will go wherever he is needed most. The most obvious configuration with the most experience will be Al, Decastro, Pouncey, Wisnewski, Feiler. If there is a Tackle injury you have Chucks, Banner and Grey as depth. If there is an inside injury Feiler moves inside and your outside depth kicks in. If somehow one of the Tackles has developed to a starting player they may look at their best five being say a Chucks or Banner at RT and Feiler inside with Wisnewski playing backup at all inside positions. I kinda feel like they will need a third guy on the roster who can snap. Pouncey gets injured fairly often so If he is out you can't have one guy who can snap. Is this how you see it playing out?

[pfelix73]

I would think Wisnewski would start at LG, and the rest in same position. The new Guard backing up. Feiler and Bannon battling it out at RT.

It'll all get sorted in August, but the least amount of turnover the better.

[hawaiiansteel]

but where will we play Prince Tega Wanogho, who you said we should draft in the 2nd round but instead was drafted in the 7th round?

you're obviously as knowledgeable about the OL as you are about everything else...

[Ernie]

it could very well play out like that. I wouldn't say that Dotson is not "Viable" though. He was the top run blocking guard in the draft

[pfelix73]

but where will we play Prince Tega Wanogho, who you said we should draft in the 2nd round but instead was drafted in the 7th round?

you're obviously as knowledgeable about the OL as you are about everything else...

LOL, yea, I used to be a left OT in college many moons ago. Played there many many years. If a coach came to me at beginning of the year and asked me to play RT, I'd have a fit. Totally different positions. Sort of like playing SS instead of 2B.

DeCastro will stay at RG

[NorthCoast]

Biggest worry the Steelers should have is a rapid decline by the veterans on the line. I can't remember which game it was late last year, but the entire OL looked like Swiss cheese. They continually failed to pick up stunts and blitzers, almost like they regressed to their rookie seasons. Yes, the QB play didn't help but honestly, if that is the look this year against better teams, the Steelers will need to accelerate their plans for OL upgrades.

[Steel Maniac]

Biggest worry the Steelers should have is a rapid decline by the veterans on the line. I can't remember which game it was late last year, but the entire OL looked like Swiss cheese. They continually failed to pick up stunts and blitzers, almost like they regressed to their rookie seasons. Yes, the QB play didn't help but honestly, if that is the look this year against better teams, the Steelers will need to accelerate their plans for OL upgrades.

Too late for all that. We are what we are. If the line fizzles out like what your saying, then we know what will have to be done in
next year's draft with more urgency.

[Steel Maniac]

it could very well play out like that. I wouldn't say that Dotson is not "Viable" though. He was the top run blocking guard in the draft

I was reading this about Dotson as well. It would be something if he became a real contributor in the second half of the season. But hey, maybe he can surprise us all at camp and beast out. Which would give management something to think about to start the season.

[steeler_george]

Why does this behavior continue, keep ruining these threads taking shots at each other. Learn to agree to disagree and discuss...

You know this site is going to sh@T, can't even have a discussion without finger pointing and etc...

makes me want to leave this forum after 12 years or so...

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Wisenski isn't going to start at G, even in emergency now with Dotson aboard. Wisenski he is now full time back up center and you dont risk injury to him. Even if you have Wisen starting at G what if he get hurt, then Pouncey gets hurt... your screwed who plays center?

The days of having a swing OL player are over, due to the new rule have to dress 9(?) OL players on every game day. Versitlity is nice to get your best 5 out there, but it lost its value of saving active players on gameday.

As for Dotson, there was even talk of letting him compete for LG.

[whisper]

it could very well play out like that. I wouldn't say that Dotson is not "Viable" though. He was the top run blocking guard in the draft

He was?!?!?!?

[Oviedo]

Biggest worry the Steelers should have is a rapid decline by the veterans on the line. I can't remember which game it was late last year, but the entire OL looked like Swiss cheese. They continually failed to pick up stunts and blitzers, almost like they regressed to their rookie seasons. Yes, the QB play didn't help but honestly, if that is the look this year against better teams, the Steelers will need to accelerate their plans for OL upgrades.

Last year was not a good indicators because teams knew the QB couldn't make them pay for stunts, blitzes, etc. The OL was always 5 trying to block 7

[SteelerMaine83]

Last year was not a good indicators because teams knew the QB couldn't make them pay for stunts, blitzes, etc. The OL was always 5 trying to block 7

This.

Last years offense was not a good indicator of almost anything that may come this year, except that DJ has talent and our backup QBs are just that (if even that).

I look at 2018 as my barometer for what the offense could be like this year, with a few added weapons.

[Buzz]

I would think Wisnewski would start at LG, and the rest in same position. The new Guard backing up. Feiler and Bannon battling it out at RT.

It'll all get sorted in August, but the least amount of turnover the better.

This is what I think, too.

[Ernie]

He was?!?!?!?

Thats what the announcers said....and what i read in multiple articles about him.... top ranked run blocking guard in the draft... Also an All American... his family is legit Steelers nation...and he worked as a bouncer in his spare time.

In one interview he stated that he would tell the guy across from him the play... when asked why.. he stated if you can beat the guy when he knows its coming... it sort of hurts his morale lol.

[Captain Lemming]

He was?!?!?!?

Pro Football Focus comments on him.
They ranked him 25...in the entire draft.
Yes he is a beastly run blocker....they have the numbers to prove it:

25. KEVIN DOTSON, OG, LOUISIANA
As the nation’s highest-graded guard by a long shot, no other guard came close to the production Dotson had in 2019. He finished the year with a 92.1 overall grade, with the next highest-graded guard finishing at 85.4 overall. Dotson allowed all of three total pressures on his 411 pass-blocking snaps; he was called for just three penalties, and he also had the nation’s highest run-blocking grade by a wide margin. Dotson was his best in the run game, for sure, and routinely paved wide-open lanes for the Ragin’ Cajuns’ rushing attack. When rushing behind Dotson, Louisiana running backs averaged a whopping 8.7 yards per carry and 4.1 yards before contact — he was that good.