Steelers OL, only NFL team

[NJ-STEELER]

without a player drafted in the first 2 rounds

[pfelix73]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

So.........doubt they are the only one, but maybe they are... again.... so what?

[skyhawk]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

They suck.

[feltdizz]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

It would be nice if we got a guy we could plug in early and not spend 2 years coaching them up.

[Chadman]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

So they are unique? Excellent! Chadman always knew it was cool to be a Steelers fan...

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

maybe its a reason why the offense struggles with the running game and has trouble in pass protection.


the top round guys on the OL are the ones with the good size-speed-movement ratios

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

I don't know.

I've spent a lot of time on Steelers forums over the last five years bemoaning the state of the OL and two things have remained as constant as my complaints: the fact that the FO did nothing to add anyone of greater value than a 3rd round pick to the line and that the Steelers have won two SBs in the last 5 years.

If there really is a problem, it's evident that the FO is rationalizing the state of the OL because of the success of the team as a whole. Perhaps Ben has also had the ear of the FO and said flatly that whatever is wrong it's still manageable.

The Steelers have many needs. Maybe none ring out any louder than the others. But there are areas of concern, to be sure, when the team missed the playoffs the way they did. You blow 5 4th quarter leads and there is a fairly fine line between 9-7 and 14-2.

I imagine that, as Benjamin grows longer in the tooth, perhaps the discussions start on beefing up his protection. After all, the types of injuries he has sustained over the last four years should be more than a small concern.

On the other hand, what do I know? Every time I see Benjamin running for his life, I have to wonder how much longer he'll be able to do that on his own and how much would it have mattered if the FO cared enough to protect him adequately in the first place? If it isn't a concern, however, then I'm willing to sink or swim with the line exactly as it is.

If Benjamin sees no problem, then there's no problem. Case closed.

[Jooser]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

Hoppy, Ben also used to think it's ok to ride one of the world's fastest production crotch rockets with no helmet. My point is that while he thinks he can handle pressure and abuse, perhaps he in fact cannot. Your point that the injuries are piling up has much merit. Also, Mendy's success this year was due largely to the fact that he doesn't usually go down when the first guy takes a shot at him. Rarely are there open running lanes for him. This OL will continue to struggle IMO.

[steelblood]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

This says a couple of things.

1. Colbert put this line together from the scrap heap. And, it turned out to be a useful junker. They certainly don't dominate, but they have found a way to be successful. The oline was NOT the reason we sucked this year. Sure, they didn't win it for us, but they certainly didn't lose it.

2. The Oline is an investment in Ben's health. Ben won't survive 50 sacks a season for much longer. Don't be surprised this year when we draft a guy like Trent Williams in round 1. He could play either tackle, and even if Colon stays, we desperately need some quality depth. If Starks goes down next year, so does Ben imo. In a year in which most pundits will have us taking defensive players in the first 2 or 3 rounds, we could (as we usually do) take the BPA.

[feltdizz]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

I agree Ben probably thinks he can get away with this OL for a few more years. He even reminded us how bad they were labeled during the SB victory speech. I think Ben having Faneca and Hartings and still getting sacked 46 times puts the OL upgrade in limbo. Regardless of the OL talent, Ben will take sacks. Now when it comes to the run game... who knows. I think we keep it cheap and build with the young guys.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

without a player drafted in the first 2 rounds

Interesting .. but a couple of years ago they had 3 or 4 (Faneca, Marvel, Simmons) and I think Hartwig was.

[pfelix73]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

Hartwig was drafted in the 6th round. Unless you are thinking of Hartings. He was picked in the 1st round.

[feltdizz]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

without a player drafted in the first 2 rounds

Interesting .. but a couple of years ago they had 3 or 4 (Faneca, Marvel, Simmons) and I think Hartwig was.

We could run... but the sack total was still very high based on attempts most years with Ben.

[Oviedo]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

without a player drafted in the first 2 rounds

Interesting .. but a couple of years ago they had 3 or 4 (Faneca, Marvel, Simmons) and I think Hartwig was.

We could run... but the sack total was still very high based on attempts most years with Ben.

We could run because we had the best "big" back in the history of the NFL and who will be in the Hall Of Fame in a few years. Bettis made the OL look very good because he had a unique physical combination of quick feet and massive size.

[pfelix73]

Re: Steelers OL, only NFL team

AND we had Jon Whitman, Tim Lester, or Dan Kreider leading the way- AND 36 would follow them!

The one year we went to a one back set with the same OL, Tommy Gun, and Famous Amos leading the way instead of Jerome and we went 6-10...