Could the Offensive Line Be Better Than We Think?
There’s been quite a bru-ha-ha over the lack of urgency Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert seem to be showing on behalf of the Steelers offensive and defensive line this offseason - especially the offensive line. While it’s probably true that Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed are valuable weapons that will help the overall offensive arsenal, lots of people are worried that Big Ben will get pummeled this year since there seems to be very little attention given to improving the offensive line. A line that gave up a whopping 96 sacks over 2 years.
Riding that bandwagon as far as they could, all the “experts” have proclaimed for months that the Steelers have to protect Ben better. Specifically, what they meant was that Pittsburgh had to get an offensive lineman in the first round and they had to resign Alan Faneca.
Well, they did neither. All of this has lead me to wonder whether everyone is right and the Steelers front office is really neglecting the obvious or, perhaps, do the Steelers know something we don’t?
Let’s look at free agency. If Pittsburgh isn’t willing to plop down millions to retain Alan Faneca, who could the Steelers have acquired with marginal skill and less wear and tear for a lower price? There are plenty to choose from (still are, too). The Steelers signed Justin Hartwig who will battle for the starting Center position with Sean Mahan (last year’s OL free agent acquisition), but could also be utilized as a guard. AND THAT WAS ALL THEY DID! If the Steelers were desperate they could still pick up any number of players to play on the line. At last count, I saw 48 offensive linemen who were not picked up in free agency by other teams. They’re obviously not desperate, and besides, free agency is just not how Pittsburgh operates.
Now, let’s take a look at the draft. In the first round alone, 7 of the 22 picks before Pittsburgh were offensive linemen (and, by the way, 5 of the remaining 15 were defensive linemen). Many pundits felt that this was a particularly ripe draft for offensive linemen, but that’s a lot of “A” linemen to be taken before the Steelers even had a chance to pick. In fact, only 3 offensive linemen were taken over the next 43 picks! That’s quite a drop off, wouldn’t you say?
In my opinion, the Steelers had to know most of these guys were going to be taken before #23, and you can’t possibly think that this team will act like Cleveland did last year and trade half of their choices away for 1 lineman. This team, like or not, builds through the draft. They want as many picks as they can possibly have.
In addition, the Steelers waited until the 4th round to take an offensive lineman. This tells me that the Steelers front office does not think their offensive line is as bad as we all may have made it out to be. Could this be true?
Below is a table that shows the Steelers starting offensive line since Ben Roethlisberger took over as QB year-by-year. New starters are highlighted in yellow.
|
Year |
LT |
LG |
C |
RG |
RT |
Yds/Run |
Sacks |
|
2004 |
Marvel Smith |
Alan Faneca |
Jeff Hartings |
Keydrick Vincent |
Oliver Ross |
4.0 |
36 |
|
2005 |
Marvel Smith |
Alan Faneca |
Jeff Hartings |
Kendall Simmons |
Max Starks |
4.0 |
32 |
|
2006 |
Marvel Smith |
Alan Faneca |
Jeff Hartings |
Kendall Simmons |
Max Starks |
4.2 |
49 |
|
2007 |
Marvel Smith |
Alan Faneca |
Sean Mahan |
Kendall Simmons |
Willie Colon |
4.2 |
47 |
Not much of a change to this line over the years is there? 2007 saw two new lineman start (Mahan and Colon). Yes Ben was sacked more in the last two years, but the Steelers average yards per rush play improved overall. So what’s causing the sharp decline in the line’s production?
I mentioned at the end of the season that “the only major changes since their Super Bowl season is the loss of two players: Bettis and Hartings (and, yes, the addition of Colon to the starting lineup). Could it be that Bettis’ running style masked a lot of issues with this line? He was able to push the pile so much without a whole lot of help from the line. Maybe they weren’t that powerful to begin with and now it’s been exposed.”
I’m not saying the line isn’t any good, but I tend to think that perhaps their pass blocking hasn’t been all that terrific. Hence, why Ben has to constantly play on the run.
So what can Mike Tomlin and Bruce Arians do? Here’s my 2 part solution:
#1) Hopefully, with the new addition of Mendenhall, his style of running will keep opposing defenses more honest. The Steelers may not have to pass on 3rd and 3 (or shorter) as much as they did last season. Utilize him in tandem with FWP and we should see these stats improve.
#2) With this stockpile of tight ends that Pittsburgh has, couldn’t they keep one of them in to help with blocking support in obvious passing situations to help ease the pressure off of Ben?
Now that I’ve had more tiime to look and think about it, I’m just not so sure that the play of the offensive line was as bad as we all made it out to be. Sure, pass protection was abysmal, but if they do these two things, I think the offense can really keep opposing defenses on their toes.
What do you guys think? Any other suggestions? Let’s hear ‘em!
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
It seems to me that Tomlin threw out a smoke screen before the draft, declaring that we need to beef-up the OL and DL. It’s not surprising, then, that other teams paid heavily in the first round to take a “top-tier” OL — Carolina, Atlanta — before we could snag one at #23. Even the Duane Brown pick was exepensive.
I agree that Tomlin and Colbert do not feel that the existing OL and DL are that bad. If they did, they would definitely have traded-up to address them, just like they traded-up to take Santonio and traded-up to take Sepulveda.
Now… whether Tomlin’s and Colbert’s assessments are actually correct remains to be seen. I, for one, do believe that our OL sucks. After all the beatings that Ben took last year, preceeded by Tomlin playing musical chairs with the starting five all the way up ’till Week 1, tells me that the OL is really that bad. What really bites is that in 2007, picks like Joe Staley, Tony Ugo, Ben Grubbs, Justin Blaylock, Ryan Kahlil, and Samson Satelle were all within our reach. Yes, we need to take LBs, especially after Joey Porter left, but Timmons and Woodley still haven’t done anything, regardless of how promising they look, while all of these rookie OLs are starters for their respective teams.
People say Ben holds the ball too long. I don’t know about that, since the TV cameramen only focus on the ball and not on any action away from it. What I have seen is that Ben often got hit before he was able to complete his drop-back. I’ve also seen FWP get stuff before he even reached the line of scrimage.
So… I hope Colbert and Tomlin are right, though I don’t think they are. We’re gonna live or die by this OL. It’ll be like Tom Brady… can you nail him before he hits Wes Welker? That’ll be the deal with Ben… can opposing defenses get to him before he finds Santonio/Hines/Heath/Limas? We face some pretty good pass rushers this season — Osi, Strahan, Mario Willians, Freeney, etc. If Tomlin is going to play musical chairs again, all these pass rushers will be licking their chops.
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I agree with most of your analysis; I think one of the reasons Big Ben was sacked as much was his inability to know when to throw the (BLEEP) ball away! Yes! He is a great QB when he scrambles, but sometimes he has to know when to give up and live for another down. Take a look at the three games he has played at home in the play-offs; he has been completely terrible! He needs to throw the ball away and stop taking those sacks, yes, the O/L did play pretty bad as well. However, I will contribute most of that to Sean Mahan, the guy is not a Center, give up on it already Mike Tomlin.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Mahan was a turnstill at center last year. Remember, a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. I think the improvement at center (with Hartiwg) will offset the drop in performance at left guard. They led the league in rushing until Willie went down. Agreed, that this isn’t the best OL in the business, but I don’t think they’re as bad as everyone else does. The transition tag on Starks still has me scratching my head though.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
This line will be average at best. The steelers line has never been a great pass blocking line, and it will struggle again this year. Teams may be less likely to blitz, but they will still be able to get good pressure with just sending 4. The interior line is definitely our weak spot, and if I were Ben I’d be afraid, very afraid. Faneca’s strength was not pass blocking, but he was easily our best one, except perhaps Smith. From what I’ve seen from Hartwig, I’m not impressed, and it is by no means automatic that he’ll be our starting center. Our season will hinge on young guys stepping up, like Hill, but that’s usually a very bad omen.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
HAVENO FEAR MY STEELERS COMRADES, WE USUALLY FOLLOW A NONPLAYOFF YEAR AFTER A PLAYOFF YEAR! THINGS WILL LOOK BRIGHT IN 09, STILL I FIND IT HARD WITH WHAT HAS GONE ON IN THE AFC NORTH THIS YEAR WHICH TEAM WILL PRESS THE STEELERS FOR THE NORTH TITLE. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHICH TEAM THAT COULD BE! PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME WHICH TEAM THAT COULD BE! …………………….. I THOUGHT SO, THERE IS NO REAL LIGIT TEAM WHO CAN AT THIS POINT, GIVEN THE STATE OF THE BENGALS, AND THE NEW DIRECTION THE RAVENS HAVE TAKEN, WITH THE BROWNS DOING BETTER THAN MOST THOUGHT LAST YEAR THE BROWNIES WOULD HAVE TO SHOW MORE CONSISTENTLY THAT THEY CAN PUT BACT TO BACK WINNING SEASONS TOGETHER.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:05 pm
STEELERS WIN THE NORTH BY 4 GAMES IN 08′
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
The problem with the OL last year was the center, which for decades has been the anchor of the Steelers OL. Hartwig will improve this and coupled with Mendenhall and Sweed, the offense should be back on track. I do agree that The Bus hid the OL weaknesses, especially during the Super Bowl year. Mendenhall should again help to cover those weaknesses, assisted by Big Ben’s uncanny pocket presence. Steelers will win the AFC North in 08 and go deep into the AFC playoffs. With any luck, they will meet Dallas in the Super Bowl for the fourth time. Remember, you heard it here first!
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I think the Steelers are pinning some hopes on young draft picks like Darnell Stapleton(OL) and Ryan McBean(DL).They build throught the draft and these are their guys.Hartwig will be miles better than Mahan and the center keeps the line together,at least 10 sacks less.Ben,by necessity,and more weapons,will bring the sack total down even further thus keeping drives alive and keeping the D fresh.Sepulveda will be more consistent in year 2 keeping us on the right side of field position.Tomlin will learn from his mistakes and year 2 will be more of what kind of coach he TRULY is.I know I’m off the subject but I can’t help it,needed to be said.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 am
The first 2 draft picks were great after that everything seemed to spiral down. We draft guys with broken legs and torn acls. We did not draft a DE or DT, and just one OL. Ben holds on to the ball way too long , he is only good out of the pocket. I think he has trouble reading defenses. This offensive line scares me and if anyone on the defensive line gets hurt we are in big trouble. And this kid, free agent from Purdue fails his physical after all these steeler fans say he is going to be a good pick up. What is up with that !I would like to see the steelers keep the two kids as back up quarterbacks and let Batch go , he failed against the ravens last year in the last game. Line backers will have no depth either , I have a feeling Timmons will get hurt again …..Troy does not look the same anymore ……. LeBeau and his blitz packages are being picked up all over the league , I really think its time to switch off………. I hope tomlin learned from all his mistakes as a rookie coach. His pick of Mahan was a bust , thought this guy knew players ?His calls in the playoff were rookie …….. Hey I love the steelers but I dont see this team makingh the playoffs and if they do by some reason they will not go past the first round . This seems to be what to expect from steeler teams until they address their needs and draft smartly . I hope colbert dosent become the littlefield of football…….
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
The O-Line could pan out in many ways. First off, Hartwig could win the starting center job, opening up Mahan to play guard. Maybe Max Starks will show up to play and win back the starting right tackle job letting us move Colon to his true position, guard. Many other things could happen, but I don’t like to talk until I’ve seen performance.
May 4th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Steelers new that they needed a up grade at center before they signed Mahan and they should of drafted a center or signed one in FA which they did not. Hartwig will be a good fill in but he is not the guy they will have to draft a center next year. Max Starks is a LT how the coaching staff missed this one is a mystery to me. He played great when he filled in for Smith and should get more playing time at LT so Smith can play the whole season with out getting hurt. Kendall Simmons is not the Simmons that played in the super bowl or maybe because Hartings is not playing beside him but this guy just needs to play better. Last season he just was pushed all over the field they need to up grade at LG. Every one wants to move Willie Colon to LG but he is the best OT on the field when Smith is not hurt so they have to leave him at RT. With the change at center and the up grade at LG Faneca did not have a great season, Starks playing more at LT, Willie Parker running the ball a long with Mendenhall also Ben will still have to roll out to pass the ball which he does very well I look for them to be in the playoff. Steelers have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball it is just getting them to play better will be the goal for this season
May 7th, 2008 at 7:44 am
All this talk about the O-Line and not one mention of Kemoeatu, from all accounts he will step in at LG nicely and develop into either just as good as Faneca or maybe better in the years to come. I would have to say, relax guys, the Steelers know what they are doing. Just because the media emphasises a point of perceived weakness doesn’t mean its actually the case. What I saw of last year was an injured LT in Smith, a declining Faneca(yes I believe its true and I think the Steelers do as well), a C in Mahan that was definitely not a Steelers C, and a new starter in Colon over at RT. To date, Smith is recovered and feeling great, Kemoeatu is going to get his shot, Mahan is out, Hartwig is in, and Colon has one year of starting under his belt. Seems like the Steelers had some improvement on the line without having to waste draft picks. Thank goodness they were aggressive and selected some nice skill guys in the draft, I am always jealous when other teams draft skill players and we draft some OL that is to fill some “need.” I think the Steelers are going to be the team to beat in the AFC this year, considering New England should be on probation for a few years after what the NFL will find out about them.
June 28th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
all the good o-line men were gone by the time the steelers pick came around none were worthy of a first round pick
July 14th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Great blog, subscribed to your rss feed. Thanks.