Steelers fully committed to Gilbert

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

I wish they would be fully committed to Ziggy Hood. Or maybe Cameron Heyward.

IMO that wish will be granted - apparently Smith is already injured - usually Smith makes it out of September before breaking down but perhaps not this year - what a waste of $5 million in cap space

[tburhans]

Its apparent that no d-linemen with the exception of hampton made any plays sunday. i believe its time for the youth movement to take place on both sides of the ball in the trenches. Gilbert will get his shot at RT this week and imo hood should start at d-end rest of the year with smith backing him up and us parting ways with him after this season, and if Colon is just going to get injured for the next 4 years that isnt doing us any good. I hope Gilbert is successful so we will have 1 pro bowl linemen in pouncey and 2 decent ones in Gilbert and Kemo. And Heyward saw some reps sunday but didnt see too much out of him in the game and preseason, lets hope hes getting better by the day and turns out to be another stud

[Steeldude]

Originally Posted by Dodens Grav

I don't think this would have been the case at all. They drafted Gilbert because they liked him a lot and they wanted him to be the LT of the future. They cut both of their starting tackles. Had Colon not gone down, I'm pretty sure Gilbert would have been allowed to compete for the LT spot during the season, and would most likely have been the starting LT next season. Now it's even more likely that he'll be the starting LT next season since he'll be getting playing time already.

As far as the whole Colon to G crap goes, I don't see the point of moving a player that is quality at his position to a position that he's never played. Colon is a slightly above average RT. There's no need to move him. And Gilbert would have been at LT next year regardless, so moving Colon would mean that you still need a RT. With Gilbert and Colon at the tackle spots and Pouncey at guard, those positions should be set for at least a few years. What is needed is two guards. I don't think Kemoeatu will survive the salary cap next year. Frankly, I hope he doesn't. If the Steelers can draft a guard in the first 3 rounds that is quality and then sign a competent free agent to take the other guard position, I would be pretty content with the o-line.

T to G is an easy transition they say. i agree, colon is slightly better than average. his short arms hinder him from the quick jab to a defender. he isn't that tall for a tackle either. most teams saw him as a G.

the way i look at is what's available when they pick in 2012. if a choice T is there then move colon. if a choice G is there then leave colon where he is and move gilbert to LT.

i hope kemo goes too. such a physical presence, but dumb as a stump. well, i hope he goes if they have someone to take his spot. i think 2012 is his last year of the contract.

IMO, the steelers let this snowball. they have been getting by with journeymen and low draft picks. i am guessing next year's draft will either be OL, NT or CB

[effyou515]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

IMO that wish will be granted - apparently Smith is already injured - usually Smith makes it out of September before breaking down but perhaps not this year - what a waste of $5 million in cap space

Well atleast this is the last year on Smith's contract but Keisel is signed though 2013 so Hayward has 2 more years to sit on the bench.

[effyou515]

1st round

Kelechi Osemele OG 6'5" 335lbs Iowa St
or
David DeCastro OG 6'5" 307

2nd

Bobby Massie OT 6'6" 327lbs Mississippi
or
Nate Potter OT 6'6" 298lbs Boise St

a few o-line men the Steelers could land in the 2012 draft

add them with Pouncey and Gilbert and the o-line is fixed with young talent.

[Dodens Grav]

Not necessarily. I think Heyward has a pretty good chance of starting along with Hood next year. Keisel does not warrant the same kind of loyalty that Smith does. He's only been a starter for the past few years, and he was never at the same talent level either, although he was obviously good enough last year to get a Pro Bowl nod despite missing a few games.

[truesteelerfan]

Originally Posted by effyou515

1st round

Kelechi Osemele OG 6'5" 335lbs Iowa St
or
David DeCastro OG 6'5" 307

2nd

Bobby Massie OT 6'6" 327lbs Mississippi
or
Nate Potter OT 6'6" 298lbs Boise St

a few o-line men the Steelers could land in the 2012 draft

add them with Pouncey and Gilbert and the o-line is fixed with young talent.

I don't know much about DeCastro or Massie, but I agree....add a couple high picks for OL talent and we can go a long ways....Where else have been weak for so long?

[pancake]

I think that Gilbert and Colon will be our starting OT next year, with our only new starter being at RG.

I think our first two picks next year are NT and OG.

[pete74]

Originally Posted by pancake

I think that Gilbert and Colon will be our starting OT next year, with our only new starter being at RG.

I think our first two picks next year are NT and OG.

agreed

[Steel4ever95]

Hopefully Gilbert can show everybody something. At least he should get a good tune up game in against the Seahawks on Sunday. Pouncey played right along with him at Florida to and had some high remarks for him, I'm rooting for him to make a name for himself, god knows the Steelers line needs the help.