O-Line Future.

[ChronoCross]

Smith is garbage and some just do not see it.. Even essex has done a better job at left tackle then Smith only allowing 2 pressures and no sacks for 3 1-/2 quarters after smith already gave up 2 sacks and 3 pressures. Starks plays 3 games allows no pressures, no sacks, anything is worth a try to smith who should remain on the bench are cut are smith should be moved to Right.

Some say well since it was in the mud for that one game is what helped Starks then why couldnt smith stop anyone. Starks came into the Jags game after Smith tweaked his back and Smith already gave up 3 1/2 sacks, Starks come in and does not allow a single pressure are sack. And jags were only rushing 4 all game.

So anything right now is better then Smith. We have a serious issue the past 2 years of to many sacks and it mainly is coming from Bens blind side. So if you want Ben to get hurt keep letting all them sacks come off of Smith who allows 2 to 5 sacks a game, not counting all the pressures. Left side of the line has been horrid.

We just gave ben a huge contract lets do the best we can to protect him and a new left side of the line is the biggest issue. 1 issue is gone in faneca, and thank god the Steelers are already talking about using Starks at Left, at least there seeing the issue at hand on that side.

[Steel Pit]

I'll be happy with any variation of offensive lineman so long as they produce what's taking place in this photo.

[IMG][/IMG]

[paw-n-maul-u]

our line needs reshuffling not revamping.

and I don't think we can spend all three picks on the O-line next year.

Honestly, if we spend our 1st on and O-linemen, I don't want another pick at the position till atleast the 4th.

If we don't then maybe you can spend the second and third on O-line, but I don't think it's a big as need as people make it out to be.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by paw-n-maul-u

our line needs reshuffling not revamping.

and I don't think we can spend all three picks on the O-line next year.

Honestly, if we spend our 1st on and O-linemen, I don't want another pick at the position till atleast the 4th.

If we don't then maybe you can spend the second and third on O-line, but I don't think it's a big as need as people make it out to be.

We have lost one of our starting linemen, the others allowed a HOW MANY sacks last year?

Sorry,

2 of the first 3 picks, perhaps a first and third needs to go to the O line.

Take the 2nd pick and draft a ILB or a WR.

[paw-n-maul-u]

Are you trying to pick on me tonight or something?

out of Colon, Simmons, Kemo, and Mahan (hopefully not), we will have two decent guards.

Smith and Starks, Essex (who was solid when called upon), and a 1st round OT would be plenty enough to manage the year, honestly the line cannot be as bad as last year, it's impossible. And faneca was highly overrated in passprotection.

Center is my only real concern, and Simmons or stapleton could do adequately enough, they couldnt do any worse than mahan is what I mean

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by ChronoCross

Smith is garbage and some just do not see it.. Even essex has done a better job at left tackle then Smith only allowing 2 pressures and no sacks for 3 1-/2 quarters after smith already gave up 2 sacks and 3 pressures. Starks plays 3 games allows no pressures, no sacks, anything is worth a try to smith who should remain on the bench are cut are smith should be moved to Right.

Some say well since it was in the mud for that one game is what helped Starks then why couldnt smith stop anyone. Starks came into the Jags game after Smith tweaked his back and Smith already gave up 3 1/2 sacks, .

Smith is garbage?? Now that is just a joke of a statement. He had back surgery and apparently some people "just dont see it".

The guy is a pro bowler in 2005, has started 103 games in the NFL and didnt give up a sack the first 6 weeks of this season, then gives up a bunch because of a trying to play with a disc problem the next 7 weeks.


Smith has not allowed a sack this season, even though he has faced some of the better pass rushers in the NFL -- Julian Peterson led Seattle with 10 sacks last season and is tied for second in the NFL this year with six; Aaron Schobel led Buffalo last season with 14, three off the NFL lead, and Kamerion Wimbley led Cleveland last season with 11.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07291/826344-66.stm

Why couldnt Smith stop anyone??? He stopped everyone in the first 5 games of the year when he didnt have back issues. Put Starks out on the field with a herniated disc and see how effective he is.

Starks couldnt beat out Colon in preseason and showed no promise in pass protection, but then gets to play because of injuries and everybody thinks he is the next Walter Jones....I dont get it??

Then Starks, who replaced Smith at left tackle on the third series, allowed the other two -- one to Jenkins, the other to Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Bimila. Starks also allowed a sack in last Sunday's 20-7 victory against the New Orleans Saints in the Hall of Fame game, giving him three in two games.

But, in his defense, all three sacks have come while he was at left tackle, a position he hadn't played since college.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07224/808984-66.stm

Smith will play LT this season. If he isnt resigned then the OT we draft this season will play RT for a season before moving to the left side.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by paw-n-maul-u

out of Colon, Simmons, Kemo, and Mahan (hopefully not), we will have two decent guards.

Smith and Starks, Essex (who was solid when called upon), and a 1st round OT would be plenty enough to manage the year, honestly the line cannot be as bad as last year, it's impossible. And faneca was highly overrated in passprotection.

Center is my only real concern, and Simmons or stapleton could do adequately enough, they couldnt do any worse than mahan is what I mean

Great post. I agree that Simmons, Colon, Kemo are good enough guards to start.

Smith will start at LT and if Starks is signed then he plays RT for a season. If not, then Colon is there again and the rookie backs up for a season before playing RT probably, but maybe LT the next season.

There are a few good centers in the 09 draft and that is where the real long term answer for the Steelers is at center.

[RJC]

But, I just think that this whole O-Line issue is truly and easy fix. Actually, simple. To me it's a question of a slight reshuffling of the deck.

LT/Marvel Smith: Hopefully his back is healthy. If so, he stays right where he is.

LG/Chris Kemoeatu: A big bodied dude with a meanstreak. Will be murder in the run game.

C/Kendall Simmons: Our most athletic OL. He should be able to learn to snap the damn ball from not to September. Put him in the middle, and utilize his pulling ability.

RG/Willie Colon: Another brawler. Short arms and slow feet make him an ideal candidate to play in the "phone booth". Slide him 1 spot down.

RT/Max Starks: Get his contract done. He was a starter on a Super Bowl winning team. He was "transitioned" for a reason. He's part of the long term.

Top Backups become Mahan at C/G. Essex at G/T. Then Cappizzi at T.

That's 8 active OL for game day. We don't need to draft another one if we really didn't want to. No one on that unit is old and in dire need of replacement. Use this draft to find replacement players for ageing or broken guys like Hines Ward, Deshea Townsed, Aaron Smith, or Dan Krieder. If they absolutely have to take a OL, they can draft a guy like Heath Benedict in the 3rd to add a little youth.

I honestly think it's that simple.....

[BettisFan]

Big Ben was the most sacked QB last season we need to upgrade our line and fast.