Offensive line looked good

[casteeler]

The Offensive line was excellent and it really helped make last nights game feel like the 2005 Steelers!

[teegre]

Here is why I think that they are playing well:

Starks can usually take on his guy. The Colon can eeesily take on his guy. Pouncey (or Legursky) can take on their guy. Leaving Foster to help out Adams.

It leaves no DL unaccounted for.

Whereas, Pouncey used to have to cover for Kemo and/or for Foster (who has improved).

NOTE: Did anyone notice that a lot of times, Heath would help Adams by lining up in the backfield, taking away the inside move of the DE. (And, at other times, Foster would help). In other words, it seems like Adams does well against the outside rush, but is having trouble with the inside moves.

[steelfury02]

yes, noticed that, which IMO, is an experience issue - give it time I say

[teegre]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

yes, noticed that, which IMO, is an experience issue - give it time I say

Agreed.

My point is that it was a smart solution. Instead of "only" helping on the outside, the Steelers gave him help where Adams needed it most.

[steelers33]

Colon played at an all-pro level drive blocking last night. It was incredible, Kemo could never do that. If he can just be more consistent and cut down on the penalties (and I think it will come with more time at the guard position) then he will be a very good player at the guard position. And if we get Pouncey and DeCastro healthy later in the year we can have a potential elite interior line. As for our tackles, Mike Adams is still developing, Marcus Gilbert seems like an average tackle to me maybe he'll get better. And Max Starks is still decent, but he still probably struggles against speed rushers.

[Rotorhead]

Starks doesnt struggle at all, he has been our most consistant OL and rarely gets beat (as all OL do occasionally). We need to long term Starks, he has earned it.

[FrancoLambert]

I've been ragging on this unit just about every chance I could.
But today they deserve big time credit.
Legs is a very good backup center, so-so as a guard but his play at guard has helped him as a center.
Adams had help, (good coaching!) but still did a good job overall considering what he had put on tape.
I think Willie played his best game to date. ATTITUDE!!
Foster was steady as was Starks.
The run yardage says it all. Could this unit be jelling? Add DD?

[teegre]

Originally Posted by FrancoLambert

The run yardage says it all. Could this unit be jelling? Add DD?

THAT^^^

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by teegre

Here is why I think that they are playing well:

Starks can usually take on his guy. The Colon can eeesily take on his guy. Pouncey (or Legursky) can take on their guy. Leaving Foster to help out Adams.

It leaves no DL unaccounted for.

Whereas, Pouncey used to have to cover for Kemo and/or for Foster (who has improved).

NOTE: Did anyone notice that a lot of times, Heath would help Adams by lining up in the backfield, taking away the inside move of the DE. (And, at other times, Foster would help). In other words, it seems like Adams does well against the outside rush, but is having trouble with the inside moves.

I agree with some of your assessment, but Pouncey has never "covered" for Colon or Foster. In pass protection, Pouncey has made poor reads in the past, and Kemo was terrible at recognizing line stunts.

In run blocking the Steelers have been fine, but either had no committment to the run in the Arians era, or not had a RB that will effectively pick the correct hole until Mendenhall came back.

Guys hack on Foster, but he is a mauler in the run game and an average pass protector. Adams still looks like he lacks a strong pass set and punch in pass protection. Starks is looking like a dependable guy one week and a guy that gets caught lunging with poor technique the following week. Colon still got his hands outside the defenders frame a couple times on Sunday but didnt get caught.

The O line has all the makings of a solid unit, but its been Haleys quick strike offense and insistance on at least having a run game that has kept Ben off the injury list this far into the season.

[steelfury02]

very true, the quick(er) decision making and limiting negative plays as Tomlin puts it, has a great chance of paying off later in the season.

If Ben continues to stay upright for the most part against good pass-rushing teams, just think what a more healthier Ben can do down the stretch

I will say this - I think the jury is still out on this team, and I'm not going to get overly-excited because of 1 win on the road, I EXPECT a good Steelers team to win. They can build on this.

I will also say this - I was saying to my wife after we were watching N.F.L. A.M. this morning - can you imagine if we get Troy and Decastro back, if the running back stable gets healthier, Ben continues to go fairly unscathed, and they can consistently play like they did in the 2nd half? I kiss her goodbye one minute later, walk into my car, turn the key, and RENEGADE was on the radio. Just sayin . . .A sign perhaps?