Steelers' offensive line could be better

[revefsreleets]

Things are very complex in the NFL. Someone on the OL is designated the "QB of the line", and they examine the defense and call the blocking assignments out.

It's almost always the C, but I wondered if maybe Faneca did the job last year...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I think Mahan was calling the signals for the O line. The only thing is that Coach Z may want to block things one way, while Grimm another and that is what Faneca didnt like.....change.

For instance, one may choose for the LG and C to block down on a NT, leave the LT on the RDE and have the TE block down on the OLB to execute a toss left.

The other may choose to have the C reach block the NT, send the LG to the LB at the 2nd level and either double the DE or let the TE find the SS.

There's a saying of blocking big on big, small on small. But others may like to use some of their big guys to get to the 2nd level. Coach Z from what I undersand is more particular about technique, hand placement, footwork and helmet placement, while Grimm was more of a "git er done" kind of guy. I think that's the old dog new tricks issue.

[revefsreleets]

Curiouser and curiouser...

The poor performance of last years line is becoming less and less of a mystery as more info leaks out.

[Steeldude]

i am reading not so good things about the steelers' O-line. neither mahan or hartwig could handle hoke in practice. hills has been reported as looking too slow to play tackle. also, starks and colon aren't doing so well. kemoeatu is bothered by the injury bug again(placed on PUP list). there are rumors about lecharles bentley coming in to tryout for guard.

it's just the beginning of camp, but what if it continues into the season? will the steelers neglect the O-line in the draft again? how many years has it been now?

on a different position, bruce davis is said to be looking rather weak so far. which isn't a surprise.

sweed has been having a very good camp.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Steeldude, should check out the post in the training camp section. Hartwig sounded like he performed OK.

Play #7: Hartwig picks up the blitz in the middle beautifully, and Baker makes a sweet catch on a 10 yard crossing pattern four feet over his head.

Eason tries to bull rush Hartwig, but Hartwig gets under his pads and stands him up.

Hartwig stones Ryan McBean. Doesn’t even give an inch. I’m not sure even Hartings was ever this perfect at technique. Wish Hampton was here to give Harwig a real test.

There is more there saying that Woodley handled both Starks and Colon pretty easily and yes, Hills is a project. I said that after watching the kids technique on tape. He doesnt use his hands and reach well, but that is coach Z's job to work with him.

Hear anything about Marvel Smith or Kendall Simmons yet?

[GeneralRobinson]

Steelers' offensive line 'pretty well set'
By ERIC KNOPSNYDER
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
July 30, 2008 12:30 pm

LATROBE — One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest questions marks of training camp might already be settled on just the third day at St. Vincent College.

Offensive line coach Larry Zierlein was asked after this morning's practice if he would like to know which players are going to be on the starting unit sooner rather than later.

“We’re pretty well set,” he said of the line, which gave up 53 sacks in 17 games last season and lost Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to free agency. “We’ll see what happens with the center thing once we get into preseason, but I’d say we’re pretty well set.”

One of the biggest topics heading into camp was what to do with Max Starks. The Steelers designated Starks as their transition player and are paying him $6.9 million this season, but it looks like he could end up backing up Willie Colon at right tackle and Marvel Smith at left tackle.

Zierlein was then asked if his comment that the Steelers were “pretty well set” meant that Colon would be the starter at right tackle.

“Willie’s looking pretty good,” Zierlein said. “Willie’s pretty good in the run game. He just keeps working on his protections and he’ll get better. He’s a competitor.”

That could mean that the only real position not settle yet is center. Sean Mahan started there last season, but could be replaced by Justin Hartwig, who started 15 games for Carolina a year ago.

Smith seems set at left tackle and Kendall Simmons is entrenched at right guard. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu is on the physically unable to perform list with an injured triceps and has been replaced thus far by Trai Essex.

Zierlein also downplayed the notion that Colon raised earlier in the camp, that some players didn’t know whether to follow the lead of Faneca last season or Zierlein, who was in his first season with the team.

“It has nothing to do with any individual, it has to do with the second year – talking the same language, knowing each other,” he said of the line coming together this year. “It has nothing to do with anybody that’s left or anybody that’s come. It has to do with continuity and timing.”

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/spor...212123055.html

[tony hipchest]

ben and mahan were both calling out blocking assignments for the first time in their careers last year.

couple that with the grizzled veteran guard (who may have turned his back on teammates -especially the young ones- when he said he no longer wanted to be captain) and the brand new old man coach (who may have lost a bit of credibility with his embarrasing porn e-mail gaffe -especially amongst the veterans-) not seeing eye to eye and it just reeks of "too many cooks in the kitchen".

i do not know to what degree coach zeirlien was taken seriously, but i can imagine all his players snickering behind his back. remember when the dodgers lasorda fell down alongside the 3rd base line, or when the yankees zimmer got the beatdown from pedro? it was hard to take either of them seriously after that and they seemed to quickly fade away.

with all that in the rear view mirror, justin hartwig has said that he always called out the blocking assignments in carolina and tennessee, and is more than ready and capable of doing the same in pittsburgh. he also took neil o'donnel's advice as a youngster and studied dermontti dawson. thats gotta be worth something

[Steeldude]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

.

Hear anything about Marvel Smith or Kendall Simmons yet?

just that smith's back is healthy. i haven't heard anything on simmons. perhaps 2008 will be the year he shows something

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Yeah, Simmons play has always been up and down like a toilet seat.

I hope the Kemo triceps is just a minor thing and he can show his value. Got high hopes for him, but healthy O line is always gonna be a question mark.