View topic - This season's offensive line?

[hschultz Profile]

LT - FA/Draft
LG - Kemo
C - Hartwig
RG - Colon
RT - Starks

Things have become much clearer in the past 24 hours. We pick up a stud LT in the first round (or heaven forbid pick up Khalif Barnes) and now we can go for a CB or DL in the second/third. Of course we still need some depth at OL, but with Essex, Stapleton, etc., we at least have some road grader back-ups that know our system.

[Snockered Pedestrian Profile]

We won't know until after the draft, provided the FO does better than they have
so far. I'd have franchised BMac and let Starks and Kemo walk. Barnes was getting
Garrard killed; would show no improvement under Zierlein.
I would hope that the FO shows more creativity with their draft board than
with their decision-making regarding FAs. The only decision that has been the correct
one was cashiering Gatemouth Smith. Is it too much to ask for an old-fashioned trade
or three?

[darthsteel Profile]

lt starks rt colon lg hartwig, rg stapleton, center alex mack

since kemo was just signed, I guess its now lg kemo rg hartwig center mack and garbage on bens right and left flank.

same offense as last yr , no better , no worse unless ben gets a serious injury .....

kemo sucks , basically another simmons who shows alot of promise in camp and then sucks durring the season,20 million down the drain there....
starks is a backup nfl tackle, colon a journeymen calibre linemen, hartwig a journeymen center... oh well same shit for the next several yrs at least...
.

[McLovin Profile]

No way Starks is not the starting LT next year!!!

LT Starks
LG Kemo
C Hartwig
RG-Rookie like Mack, Wood, Caldwell that will eventually replace Hartwig
RT Colon-unfortunately

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Under the circumstances did the FO do so bad?

First of all, even if we pick a OL in the first round. Do we want him starting day 1? I saw one draft board that had Kemo,starks, simmons leaving and we draft OL in the first two rounds. On one in the NFL starts two rooks on the OL.

Second look at the facts. Is Kemo Pro Bowl material (hell no). However, he was rated as one of the top guards available. Having Colon for one year lets you bring in a rookie to see what they can do. Plus it should light a fire under Hills to get his shit together. Along with capable backups in Stapleton/Essex (if he resigns).

Also, 5 lineman who have never played together do not gel in a couple of weeks. I am not delusional enough to think we have a top line. I do think we have one that will get better.

Plus it gives the FO to draft best available between OL, DL, CB in April.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

Maybe it is time to move Colon to RG

[Snockered Pedestrian Profile]

Methinks Kemo will man the right side.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Snockered:

Interesting. If Kemo moves to the right who is your thought for LG?

Essex, rookie, etc. I doubt Stapleton would move over there.

[hschultz Profile]

I've gotta think my scenario:

TBD/Britton?
Kemo
Hartwig
Colon
Starks

is the most likely, with Essex/Stapleton et al as back-ups. I can also see us drafting an OL (outside of Britton/1st rounder) for depth, but the recent signings make obtaining 2 starting OL this off-season much less of a reality.

Now I think we go OL in the first and CB or DL in the 2nd and 3rd. I think Starks plays better on the right side, and we'd be well served moving Colon inside. This isn't the greatest OL in the NFL, but again, given the current constraints/staff available, I have to think that this is the best line-up we'll be able to field.

[McLovin Profile]

From everything I've heard and read so far about Britton post combine he is better suited to play RT. He's limited athletically and is far better run blocker than pass. I really think Starks is your LT next season. Much better chance of Kemo moving to RG. Rumor Thursday night was Brian Waters wanted out of KC. He's still in his prime at 32 and would be a nice LG. But maybe with the Cassell trade Waters has decided to stick around KC. Look for the Steelers to take the best center prospect left in the 2nd round and move him to guard until Hartwig's contract is up. I used to think that was Eric Wood but he won't last until pick 64.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

Lets hope they move Colon to Guard so he knows where to lineup before the snap.

I also think Starks remains at LT and I would be shocked to see a rookie start at Left unless we were drafting the top 3 LT in the draft.

LT Starks
LG Kemo
C Hartwig
RG Colon
RT Draft Pick/Essex

Seems like Essex performed well when stepping in for Marvel Smith a few years back. Wish that form was true enough that he would have developed to a starter at RT. I don't see him play enough to make that call but obvioulsy the coaching staff does.

[Nel Profile]

I will be shocked to see any rookie start on the OL, unless he is god-like.

[McLovin Profile]

I will be shocked to see any rookie start on the OL, unless he is god-like.

It won't take a "god-like" rookie to replace Stapleton

[steelcitymetal Profile]

I will be shocked to see any rookie start on the OL, unless he is god-like.

It won't take a "god-like" rookie to replace Stapleton

lol

[#58 Profile]

The O-line will look the same as it did at the end of last season.

LT- Max Starks
LG- Chris Kemoeatu
C- Justin Hartwig
RG- Darnell Stapleton
RT- Willie Colon

I think we'll draft a (C) in the middle rounds (Jonathan Luigs)

[IronCity__Man Profile]

In all of our musings, hopes, wants - I think #58 actually hit it on the head with the above post.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

The O-line will look the same as it did at the end of last season.

LT- Max Starks
LG- Chris Kemoeatu
C- Justin Hartwig
RG- Darnell Stapleton
RT- Willie Colon

I think we'll draft a (C) in the middle rounds (Jonathan Luigs)

Maybe on opening day (which will make me vomit.)
But it better have some new blood taking over by mid season.