Big Al having problems

Former Pittsburgh Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva Reportedly Struggling at Baltimore Ravens Camp - Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Steelers News, Analysis and More

Villanueva has "struggled at times" at camp, specifically against first-round rookie Odafe Oweh. Villanueva, who made the switch to right tackle in Baltimore, has had trouble with Oweh's "speed and power combination."

Should I have asked you all to sit down before dropping that bomb on you? I know you're as shocked as I am. I like Al, but I can't help but giggle a little bit. Somewhere, Highsmith is smiling and drooling just a tiny bit.

EDIT: I didn't pay attention to him switching sides. I'm aware that he's going up against TJ if he's lining up as RT.

 

Big Al is playing RT for the Ravens, so he'll be facing TJ Watt or Melvin Ingram.

 

Newsflash that’s TJ’s side

 

Nice catch. I didn't pay attention to that.

So isn't that even more incentive for TJ to get back to practice? Oh man, Al is screwed.

 

Yep. I whiffed on that one. I think of Al and just see him on the left side. My bad.

 

Either way it sounds like big Al may be in big trouble.

 

TJ's sack total in 2021 just jumped. Once his extension gets done, it goes up more. 4 gift sacks by virtue of Alejandro. See? I knew I liked that guy. He's playing for the Ravens and he's STILL helping us.

 

Speaking of which any chance they switch with Dupree gone?

 

I always liked AV but thought it was time to move on...devils advocate - maybe he's still adjusting to the move to the right side, heck he played on the left for a good number of years

 

Do I see a scenario where TJ lines up on the other side for a play here or there? Yes.

Switch? No. That implies an indefinite change. That ain't happening. Highsmith isn't switching sides and Ingram can line up either. TJ is a fixture.

 

I was thinking the same thing when I realized I hadn't noticed the switch. He was shaky at his natural position. Switching him? Seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

Who?

 

Yeah, Villy isn't what he was 4-5 years ago, but he's probably better than any tackle the Steelers currently have. Check out the practice reports - all of our tackles are having problems. One projected starter still has fewer than 100 snaps as a starter and he's 27.

 

I'm good with Banner and Chuks over AV, these young guys can't be any worse than AV in the run game.

 

Who cares about AV, he chose to leave. He is a Raven problem now. They can over pay him.

 

No surprise that Al is struggling on a new team and new system. He has some time to get things right and I’d agree with others that he was nowhere near as bad as some people were trying to make out last season. The whole line was collectively bad and teams were running downhill at them towards the end of the season to stop the run and cut out the short passes. They were the most blitzed team in football the previous year with Duck and Mason as well. Once opposing D’s know you are not going to throw the ball down the field the Olines job becomes much harder.

If this new offence is going to work they have to get a vertical passing game going. I hope Ben’s arm is up to it.

 

You just really hate to see it

 

I don't know. While I may have doubts if Chuks is better than AV, I don't think AV at this point in his career would count as an upgrade.

I suspect we'll see a rotation of people at the position then draft a new guy next year if nobody jumps out. Kind of like we did at C before Pouncey.

 

I love Big Al as a person but we are going to retire that man.

 

Seriously people jumping on Big Al struggling. Just wait until you see the Steelers two tackles who all appear to be getting abused everyday of training camp.

 

moore played pretty well in the game. if most didn't notice the guy came clear across the formation and made a block to the right side on at least one run play. that's some range. we have some pretty good OLB's too these guys are going against in camp. most tackles would struggle, not just ours. chuks hasn't even practiced much and banner is coming off of an acl tear. haeg didn't look that bad either in the game. long way to go before buffalo. let it play out before we put the offense in the grave.

 

Al should have retired. Stick a fork in him.

Should have been in General Football Talk. He is a crow.

As far as struggles that's what camp is all about. Hopefully work out the kinks. It's a new system under Canada.

The line needs to gel and unfortunately their have been several minor injuries in camp plus Banner coming back from a major knee injury. It won't be pretty at first be after the seas legs I feel the O Line will gel. Use Freiermuth for max protect as well as Watt. Harris can pick up the blitz as well.

 

Love your avatar - except for Troy, only possible with CGI.

 

Well their two starting tackles haven't practiced together that much.