o-line still not settled?

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/08/kelvin-beachum-marcus-gilbert-right-tackle-battle/

there has been some talk about this lately. and all the coaches are saying is don't read much into it. they said that about adams taking gilberts spot too, and it seems he has.

they also talk about the best combination will start. to me this isn't a ringing endorsement of gilbert being the best we have at that spot for the offense they want to run. could he become our swing man instead? is his mobility becoming a factor?

 

I agree, but it is interesting that they've placed Adams in at LT in the latest updated depth chart. I want to see Adams eventually take over the LT position but i'm just not sure he's ready for that roll as a starter there quite yet. Then again, i'm not 100% sure Gilbert is ready yet either. :?

 

Adams, Gilbert, Beachum, and DeCastro are all very young and inexperienced (Pouncey is just as young, but has experience). At this point, they all must prove themselves.

 

The key to success begins and ends with Gilbert. How many OL teammates will he take out during the preseason games? Will he be outplayed by Beachum? Once the Gilbert question is answered, the discussion is who will be the back ups.

 

Has Gilbert given anybody any confidence that he can handle
either tackle position on a consistent basis? Cmon now
lets be honest with ourselves. The Steelers in there own division have QB career enders that could be lining up across from him. Get rid of it quick Ben.

 

He has proven more than either other option, Mike Adams and Kelvin Beachum. I'm not saying I dislike those guys, but it sounds like you're looking for a track record, and Gilbert has the best.

 

We have 4 guys who have basically proved nothing, yet we are counting on at least 3 of them. In addition, we have basically ZERO experienced depth.

Adams: 10 Games, 6 Starts
Beachum: 7 Games, 5 Starts
DeCastro: 4 Games, 3 Starts
Gilbert: 19 Games, 18 Starts

We are counting on these 4...

 

it's better then no starts at all. everyone in the nfl started with zero at some point, at least they have some starts under their belts, so it's not brand new. it's still football.

 

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/08/mike-tomlin-mike-adams-left-tackle-giants-depth-chart/

here's the latest on the flip-flop.

 

I totally agree. My point was not that I didn't think they could do the job only that they hadn't proved anything yet. Any of them.

 

at least there's not much film on them to watch.

 

no worries
I just hope they all get set before the snap

should be interesting tho

 

Take the eyeball test people, you shall see. He is NOT a starting NFL caliber player . according to Mac's post he couldn't handle possibly a third stringer in Al Woods.
Unfortunatley Adams is not ready for prime time either as a pass protector, so you have a franchise QB trying to make plays under duress all the time knowing that neither tackle has a chance against a good pass rusher.
Not a good situation to be in. GET RID OF IT QUICK BEN.

 

According to SCI.net Woods handled Gilbert on 2 out of 3 reps but also stated that was really the only time the DL got the better of the OL. So it sounds like Gilbert is definitely the weak link in the group. On the other hand it's good to hear our OL is finally holding their own. After the drills coach Mitchell was heard saying "Way to go O. You beat our ass."

Other good news coming from the OL side is about backup C/G John Malecki. A reporter was asking NT Fangupo about his 40 inch calves and if they help him power up centers and guards and the conversation turned to Malecki. Here's a snippet from the article about it.

"It's good and bad," he said. "It's good for strength, but I cramp up one time every year. It usually happens during training camp, and it's a big one. So the training staff has been working with me to prevent that."

Early in camp, Fangupo used his "hump move" to take rookie center Joe Madsen for a ride. "Reggie White," Fangupo said with a smile. But I continued and asked him why his Reggie White-like hump move didn't work on John Malecki.

"I couldn't do it with him. I can't do anything with him," Fangupo said. "He's not that aggressive. He just sits back there and swats my hands away. He's frustrating to go against."

Malecki, by the way, remains undefeated in one-on-one drills and has become a lock to make the team as a back-up center/guard.

 

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/08/steelers-2013-training-camp-day-fourteen-recap/

sounds like gilbert's continuing to struggle. he was replaced in practice again by beachum.

I mentioned malecki last year and the year before that about his ability at center.

it was easy to not notice him at center at that point when the games were in progress, and other spots on the o-line were breaking down. most noticed that and not the guys doing their assignments, but malecki held up really well at center going back that far.

I have no problem with him being the backup. not flashy but gets the job done. he's much quicker then legs also.

it may become easier with the emergence of malecki at the center spot to make beachum the starter and gilbert the swing tackle, if they decide to go that route. i'm curious to see gilbert this year and what he's doing or not doing. joe long also.

I think adams gets plenty of help as did starks a lot of the time with a TE or RB or FB. they won't leave ben exposed like that, if they can help it.

 

D. Lolley started talking about Beachum as a starter over Gilbert a few days ago, the first one I saw mention it, and I thought it was very remote, but I think it is looking more and more likely. That being said, at this point last year Beachum wouldn't have made the roster and look at him now. I am willing to give Gilbert some more time to turn it around, but he better raise his game or else he will be on the sidelines looking in.

 

Watch Gilberts footwork, it is just not there.

 

he needs to lean down some. he's a big dude. to get out running with these faster defensive guys like they are being asked to do is not something he's to good at. I really hope he drops some body fat for a leaner body type and he could be a good player.

for now maybe the backup role would give him a kick in the pants.

I like Bicknell so far. we'll see what he decides. i'm sure he and MT are looking into the best guys for the job.