View topic - Who can we get to replace Darnell Stapleton?

[SteelBeach Profile]

I haven't been following who's available out there, but I don't think Essex is a permanent solution. I'd hate to see our SB hopes dashed by a weakness in our O-line.

[Pump-N-Iron Profile]

Prior to the 53 man cut down... this is what we have to work with

Justin Hartwig C
Doug Legursky C
A.Q. Shipley C
Chris Kemoeatu G
Kraig Urbik G
Jason Capizzi OT
Willie Colon OT
Trai Essex OT
Ramon Foster OT
Tony Hills OT
Jeremy Parquet OT
Max Starks OT

The starters (Hartwig, Kemo, Starks, Colon, and Essex) are hardly outstanding and mired in mediocrity. Beyond them, I have been totally unimpressed with Legursky, Shipley needs at least a year on the P Squad, and Urbik hasn't made anyone's radar yet, which is sad for someone with his pedigree. The combined talents and blocking prowess of Capizzi, Foster, Parquet and Hills couldn't build a good case of hemorrhoids. In fact, I am still amazed that Hills has a job after that wretched performance against Washington. Tomlin should have cut his dead weight ass the next day to send a message.

Unless we make some crazy waiver wire moves after the cut, we had better pray for the 5 starters to remain healthy.

[lloydgreene Profile]

And I am awash in befuddlement at how our line is one of the HIGHEST PAID in the league. Our front office usually does good work, but the line that won the super bowl allowed our $100 million QB to get knocked on his ass 46 times last year. So we reward them (see Starks) with Pro Bowl caliber contracts. JEEEEEEEZZZZ..

I put it at 60/40 that Big Ben plays all 16 games this year. Bruce Arians would not be crap if it weren't for Ben's ability to squirt around and make some miracle plays out of the ineffective playcalls that Arians makes.

What would our record have been last year if Ben had to sit out 3 or 4 games? Would we have even made the playoffs? Batch can throw the ball, but he can't singlehandedly win games for us.

On a positive note, if that all happens BA gets fired and we get an offensive coordinater who knows how to coordinate an offense.

[toomuchmerrilhoge Profile]

Trai Essex is more than adequate. The best runs against the Bills first team D were on the right side, where Essex is playing guard. His pass blocking is adequate. I actually think it's an upgrade since Stapleton is on IR. I'm more worried about Kemo on the left than Essex.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Justin Hartwig C
Doug Legursky C
A.Q. Shipley C
Chris Kemoeatu G
Kraig Urbik G
Jason Capizzi OT
Willie Colon OT
Trai Essex OT
Ramon Foster OT
Tony Hills OT
Jeremy Parquet OT
Max Starks OT

Wow, that is ugly.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Who is available?
Kendral Simmons
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced they have released OG Sean Mahan.

[lloydgreene Profile]

I haven't been following who's available out there, but I don't think Essex is a permanent solution. I'd hate to see our SB hopes dashed by a weakness in our O-line.

OUR ENTIRE O LINE IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION WITH A LONG-TERM CONTRACT!

[SteelCityFan Profile]

How much blame should our offensive line coach take in our current situation? Are these guys so bad that even good coaching can't help them or are they teachable but without a good coach? Seriously, this problem needs to get fixed. I've been begging for a top o-linemen in the draft for 3 years now. Between not drafting a top o-linemen, what appears to be sub par o-line coaching, and totally ineffective / incompetent play calling we could be headed for a tough time. What if Ben goes down for a significant part of the season? We don't have a dominating run game to fall back on. Charlie Batch has seen better days. I'm scared.......hold me!

[SteelHawkeye Profile]

The coaching may not be stellar, but the larger issue is a lack of talent which is the fault of the front office. Just to give you an idea, compare the draft position of the heralded offensive line of the 2005 Super Bowl versus the 2008 Super Bowl which we brought back for this year.

2005
Marvell Smith--2nd Round
Alan Faneca--1st Round
Justin Hartwig--1st Round (Free Agent)
Kendal Simmons--1st Round
Max Starks--3rd Round

2008/9
Max Starks--3rd Round
Chris Kemo--6th Round
Justin Hartwig--6th Round (Free Agent)
Darnell Stapleton--Undrafed Free Agent--Replaced by Trai Essex--3rd Round Tackle
Willie Colon--4th Round

I am not happy with our offensive line, but the unfortunate fact is they aren't good enough to be even an average unit let alone an elite unit like 2005. If the front office is the main culprit here. Pathetic.

[Pump-N-Iron Profile]

For the 2005 Center, I think you meant Jeff Hartings... but I agree with the post.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

UGH.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995239-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml

Our vets talk with more spin than most politicians

[SteelHawkeye Profile]

[quote="Pump-N-Iron"]For the 2005 Center, I think you meant Jeff Hartings... but I agree with the post.


Thanks for the catch. I feel bad mixing Hartings up with Hartwig. Sorry Jeff!