Munchak Mourners

[Starlifter]

I am one of those who thought the loss of Munch would hurt us and during last year I thought I was right. The o-line last year was not very good. Now, not having Ben was surely a part of that but I don't think that accounted for how bad they were in the run game. I'm pleasantly surprised with how well they are playing this year. Especially the young guys. Now I'm thinking that Foster had declined so much last year and he really hurt the line play. With him gone the cohesion of the line seems to be much better.

When there’s little threat of passing and teams stack up to stop the run - it’s hard to achieve success.

[ikestops85]

When there’s little threat of passing and teams stack up to stop the run - it’s hard to achieve success.

Excellent point

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

It's actually pretty impressive when you take a longer term look at some of our Olinemen.

UDFAs
AV (converted from DL)
Foster
Legursky
Feiler
BJ Finney
Hubbard


Late rounders
Banner 4th
Dotson 4th
Derwin Gray 7th
Beachum 7th
Colon 4th

And more....The Steelers have gotten good value vs. draft position from the OL over the years.

[Northern_Blitz]

I read somewhere on the Internet (so it must be true) that Ben has one of the fastest if not fastest release in the NFL. If true this helps the OL, although I agree Feiher, Chuks, and Dotson have been great additions. Also Ramon Foster may have been kept a year or 2 too long.

I don't know about release time, but I think he was among the shortest intended air yards in the league in his last full season.

He's developed into Alex Smith, except that he still throws bombs when he gets single coverage to keep the D honest...sometimes on 3rd and 1 just to piss off some people on line

Very different from young Ben: Drop back. Shrug off a DE. Then a LB (maybe sustain a broken nose). Bomb it deep because all the DBs assume he's been sacked at least twice already.

[NorthCoast]

I see DeCastro returned to practice today. Do you put him in or ride with Dotson??

[hawaiiansteel]

I see DeCastro returned to practice today. Do you put him in or ride with Dotson??

easy decision, you put DeCastro back in.

[NorthCoast]

easy decision, you put DeCastro back in.

Not so quick. Dotson is one of the highest rated OL according to PFF.

[hawaiiansteel]

Not so quick. Dotson is one of the highest rated OL according to PFF.

I love what I've seen from Dotson so far, but to me it's a no-brainer to play DeCastro if he's healthy and I'm pretty sure Tomlin agrees with me.

[whisper]

easy decision, you put DeCastro back in.

Especially considering what they are paying him.

[NorthCoast]

Especially considering what they are paying him.

I don't think the Steelers typically put money in front of performance. But, they do have a longstanding policy about not losing your starting job due to injury. DeCastro's decline could be fairly rapid though considering he is often asked to pull on runs and you got to have the quicks to do it.

[The Man of Steel]

It's actually pretty impressive when you take a longer term look at some of our Olinemen.

UDFAs
AV (converted from DL)
Foster
Legursky
Feiler
BJ Finney
Hubbard


Late rounders
Banner 4th
Dotson 4th
Derwin Gray 7th
Beachum 7th
Colon 4th

And more....The Steelers have gotten good value vs. draft position from the OL over the years.

I just read an article today that the Steelers should make a trade with the Seahawks to get BJ Finney back. Not sure how realistic and necessary that would be.

[feltdizz]

Not so quick. Dotson is one of the highest rated OL according to PFF.

no way we don’t put DD back in if he has a helmet

[Steel Maniac]

no way we don’t put DD back in if he has a helmet

Well all have our eye on DD closely; let's see what he has in the tank.