Steelers’ offensive front may see familiar faces leave

[Hawaii 5-0]

Steelers’ offensive front may see familiar faces leave



Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks during practice on the South Side Sept. 5, 2012. Chaz Palla | Tribune Review

By Ralph N. Paulk
Published: Monday, December 31, 2012

The Steelers‘ offensive line wasn‘t exactly an impenetrable front during a season in which it was ridiculed for inconsistency and sometimes decimated by injuries.

Now, it‘s back where it started at the end of last season. Yet it appears the offensive line will be in better shape when the team reconvenes for offseason training activities and minicamp.

Again, Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey will be the anchor of the offensive line in 2013. And the right side likely will consist of guard David DeCastro and tackle Marcus Gilbert, both of whom missed significant time this season with injuries.

Oddly, the only linemen to make all 16 starts this season could be shopping for new teams when the free agent market opens up. Guard Ramon Foster and tackle Max Starks aren‘t considered priorities for a team that will be about $12 million over the salary cap.

Still, Foster and Starks are hoping to be a part of an offensive line that faced inordinate adversity throughout the season, particularly via injuries — including Pouncey and Willie Colon, who moved from tackle to guard this season. Also, it incorporated three rookies — DeCastro, tackle Mike Adams and guard Kelvin Beachum — mostly out of necessity.

On Sunday, guard John Malecki was pressed into duty after spending much of the season on the practice squad. Foster had to man right tackle for the first time in his career after Beachum sustained a concussion when blindsided by Cleveland defensive tackle Phil Taylor.

Foster, of course, creates an interesting dilemma for general manager Kevin Colbert. Are the Steelers willing to risk losing perhaps their most durable offensive lineman, who made 31 starts the past two seasons? If so, it will signal a level of confidence in the oft-injured Colon, who signed a five-year deal in 2011 but missed every game except one in 2010 and 2011.

Colon‘s return, coupled with a healthy DeCastro, Gilbert and Adams, could make Foster expendable.

“I don‘t know how it‘s going to work out,” said Foster, who made $1.2 million this season. “I guess I‘ll really get to see the real business side of the NFL. It‘s really a toss-up whether I‘ll be here or somewhere else.

“I want to go somewhere where I‘ll be appreciated. I played a lot and started a lot. I‘ll see where it goes when free agency opens up whether I get a contract or not.

“Everybody wants a long-term contract, but considering they have a first-rounder in David (DeCastro) and Willie just got paid, it‘s a matter of if I‘m that valuable. Willie is a special guy, so I can‘t see him not coming back next year.”

Foster, whose agent Joel Segal will aggressively seek the highest bidder, said he would rather the process play out quickly, especially if he returns.

“We don‘t want a whole lot of questions about this offensive line during the offseason about what we can and cannot do,” Foster said. “We needed to establish ourselves for next year.”

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#ixzz2GgUxfojn

[SteelersCanada]

I'd rather keep Foster and let Colon go if I'm being completely honest.

[bornaSteelersfan]

Colon is a beast and great in the running game. We can't let him go.

[teegre]

Originally Posted by bornaSteelersfan

Colon is a beast and great in the running game. We can't let him go.

I agree: when The Colon plays, he is a great.

Alas, the operative words are "when he plays."

[SteelersCanada]

Originally Posted by bornaSteelersfan

Colon is a beast and great in the running game. We can't let him go.

Holding - Number 74, Offense. 10 yard penalty, remains third down.

or ...

False Start - Number 74, Offense. 5 yard penalty, remains first down.

I think we can afford to let him go.

[BlacksburgSteeler13]

Originally Posted by SteelersCanada

Holding - Number 74, Offense. 10 yard penalty, remains third down.

or ...

False Start - Number 74, Offense. 5 yard penalty, remains first down.

I think we can afford to let him go.

Don't forget Cursing at an official- Number 74, Offense. 15 yard penalty.

[lloydwoodson]

While I had some funny comments regarding Colon's probable departure I will withhold them out of respect.

As a fan I appreciate the effort every Steeler brings week in and week out.

I will always remember Colon grinding on top of Burfict. One of the funniest things I have seen in football. Can someone post the gif?

I have been a Starks supporter for years. I took a lot of heat last year for wanting him on the team.

No he is not the best LT in the league but he does a pretty damn good job.

Starks is the only veteran on that line and I would prefer to keep him on the team.

As much as Khan is praised for his cap work there is a lot of dead weight on the team that can be cut and will be cut... and very little of it is on the offensive line.

[Hawaii 5-0]

Originally Posted by lloydwoodson

I will always remember Colon grinding on top of Burfict. One of the funniest things I have seen in football. Can someone post the gif?

[ZoneBlitzer]

Ditch Colon. He's incredibly fragile. That's 3 years in a row now that he has been on IR.

[Millers the sh!t]

Keep Starks, Foster... Colon can go. Too many penalties, and injuries.