With Willie Colon likely out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, the door has opened for rookie Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers' top draft pick, to step into the starting lineup from Day 1.
That's not exactly the scenario the Steelers wanted with Pouncey, but it's likely what will come to pass.
The big winner will likely be Trai Essex, who started last season at right guard. Essex was expected to be pushed out of the starting lineup at some point by Pouncey. But with Colon out, he'll likely slide over to right tackle.
Colon's injury seriously hurts the Steelers' depth. It's also a tough break for Colon, who is looking toward unrestricted free agency.
23 comments:
Colon always looked overmatched at RT, but seemed to be a favorite of the former OL coach. IIRC, the Steelers only gave Colon a qualifying RFA offer and have shown little apparent interest in signing him to a long term deal. I suspect his days as a Steeler were numbered anyway.
I'd guess Essex would move over, but the Steelers also brough in Jonathon Scott, who played for Kugler last year in Buffalo. I would put Scott and perhaps Foster in the RT muix, too.
As a former Colon hater, I thought he played very well last year. I think this is going to be a big loss.
Dale - any word on whether the Steelers are going to bring in a veteran to compete with Essex/Scott at RT?
Colon sucks at pass protection anyways. QB is safer with Essex in there
Colon started 50 straight games. If the coaches truely beleived the QB was "safer" with Essex in there, my guess is, we would have saw Essex play RT at some point in those 50 games.
Colon is a solid to good RT and there is currently no one as good on the roster.
Its a big loss on a weak part of the team. They will be signing a veteran soon - Willie Anderson, Flozell Adams, etc.
Is Hills totally out of the picture yet?
lol Patricia back
what a tool
Hills isn't out of the picture. But he's more suited to play the left side. He's not the most physical of blockers.
Scott will get a chance there as well, as could Ramon Foster.
As for a vet, I don't see them signing an over-the-hill guy like Anderson or Adams. I could be wrong about that, but it just doesn't seem like something they would do at this juncture.
yeh once again, you anonymous posters, please explain whos a better option at RT?
Chris Scott is injured too? Any details?
forgot about Ramon Foster, he looked good last year
Chris Scott sustained a foot injury of some kind.
Adam Schefter just tweeted that the Steelers are bringing Flozell Adams for a visit.
I like mike gandy. He was great two years ago with the cards. Adams is ok I guess
I hope hills bring something this offeason. If he doesn't he is out. 3 offseason of doing nothing would be too much
sorry dale, no offense, but kind of funny you wrote that as Adams was in route to the Steelers facility. Looks like he'll be the RT. I'm good with that move.
im sure the Steelers will be happy to know that Patrick is good with that move
crazy me, on a blog, sharing an opinion isn't it?
I think if I had my ideal....granted here the word is IDEAL....I would have this:
Starks/Kemo/Pouncey/Urbik/Essex
I don't think this line up would be horrible:
Adams/Kemo/Hartwig/Pouncey/Starks
I like the idea of Starks next to Pouncey.
Our line should be Starks, Kemo, Pouncey, Foster, J.Scott. End of discussion. You dont move more spots just to fill 1 (ie starks to right, adams to left, etc, etc thats BS). Hartwig still isnt 100%, camp is in 4 weeks, thats Pounceys job now. Foster stepped in for Kemo when he was injured; and this was a move by a coach that "doesnt play rookies". Tomlin didnt play Hills, Legursky, Urbik- but did start Foster. Colon has been a 1 yr RFA for the last 3 years. Im tired of this "losing the best olineman"- if he was the best HE would have gotten a deal, not starks. Bye Colon, hello left OT 2011 draft, 1st round. Now, had we moved on Jammal Brown, then we could finally go CB in the 1st round, but noooo, we have to continue to settle for mediocrity. Thats is- until Pouncey. So, to recap, final Oline in week 1 should be Starks, Kemo, Pouncey, Foster, J.Scott.
If they sign Adams - and that's still a big if - it would be to play RT, not LT.
I don't disagree that Adams would be brought in for RT. But its not like Adams has never played LT and Starks has never played RT.
Some people think Starks is better suited to be a RT where he started.
Starks is better suited to play LT, this has already been established. I cant believe anyone would think the opposite.
Starks Kemo Hartwig Pouncey Essex
this will most likely be our starting line at first however I hope Foster or Legursky push Kemo out of the lineup
What Colon's injury means: The Steelers are DOOMED!
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