End of season grades and next yrs. outlook...... O-line

Unfortunately, it's that time of yr. to look back at the season that was and start looking to the future... Since games are won up front, i'll start with the o-line. These guys took major strides this yr. under coach munchak in allowing the offense to rise up to #2 in the league, narrowly missing the #1 spot. Ben was sacked a career low 33 times and leveon bell led the afc in rushing... That doesn't happen without strong play up front.
Is that to say that the unit as a whole has arrived? By no means. Of course when it mattered most, the line imploded.
We have one pro bowler and one that should've been, but over all, the line was more than the sum of its parts. I believe as a unit, they played well together and understand each other well, and that communication factor is one of the most important parts of strong o-line play. Another part is having the individual talent to get the job done, and while I like most of the guys up front, I do believe that we can do much better... that said, don't be surprised if we use a 2nd or 3rd rd. pick to upgrade certain spots, as the unit continues to grow..
Now on to the grades:

OT:

1. Kelvin Beachum: The little engine that could. Won't overpower anyone at the LT position. He gets by on technique... I'm pretty sure though, that after watching him in the playoffs, that technique alone will not get us to the next level... I love what he brings to the team, and I strongly believe that he should be starting. I just think that in the long run, he should be starting inside. that said, if the team stands pat and doesn't upgrade at LT, then I would have no problem with him there for another yr., or 2 as he is currently our best option.........
Final grade: B-

2. Marcus Gilbert: Last season, he played his way out of my doghouse. At the beginning of the yr., he found his way back there, and then played his way back out all over again, and that sums up his entire season... Up and down/ inconsistent.... At times he would totally justify his new contract, and at times he would have me wondering what the F.O was thinking. More is needed and expected out of Gilbert at this point, and I would think that if he remains inconsistent next yr., then his replacement may be seen in the next draft.
Final grade: C+

3. Mike Adams: Speaking of doghouses, no one was in my doghouse before the season started more than Adams. The LT position was totally over his head, and he was a complete embarrassment, to the low point that he was trucked by shamarko Thomas.. As bad as he was at LT, he stepped up big at times on the other side when Gilbert was injured.. He still had some hiccups, but was clearly more in his element on the right side... that said, I think it's put up, or shut up time for him now.. I think he either steps up and becomes a stud on the right side, or he is relegated to career back up status.
Final Grade: C+

OG:

Dave Decastro: Totally justifying his 1st rd. pick status, and imho, was a pro bowl snub.. Technically sound and excellent movement. This is one that the F.O. hit the jack pot on. I expect him to be recognized next yr., as one of the elite talents at the position.
Final grade: A-

Ramon Foster: Average is about all I can think to say about him at this point. I love the odds he overcame to get to this point, but in the long run, his footwork makes him the weakest link in this particular chain. He would be a valuable back up, but as a long term starter, this is a big problem
Final grade: C-

Chris Hubbard: The coaches kept him, but I don't think they have much faith in him, and at this point neither do I. During the times that Foster wasn't available, it was Cody Wallace that the coaches relied on most, and that just isn't a good sign. Depending on how the draft, or free agency goes, I don't see Hubbard back in Black and Gold.
Final grade: inc.

C:
Maurkice Pouncey: came back from last yrs., injury to return to elite status. The anchor of the line and, along with Decastro, the perfect building block to what could grow into a special line.
Final grade: A

Cody Wallace: Good fill in for Foster at guard this yr., but is definitely better off at C. He is the perfect back up for Pouncey, and I would prefer that he remain that way, rather than fill in at guard, where an injury would leave us horribly thin. Granted, his presence was not needed due to Pouncey's brilliance, but it's never a bad thing to have a good insurance policy.
Final grade: C+ (due to his g work)


Next Up: D-line

 

Beachum led the OL in sacks allowed and penalties for the 2nd year in a row. He's a great backup ... and a subpar starting LT.

 

As I wrote earlier, unless someone is drafted, he's still the best option we have... what other options do you see

 

None.

 

a
agreed, which is the problem, they have to draft for the left side of the line

 

I've heard this is a good draft year for tackles. So we'll probably take a WR or linebacker in the first round.

 

Great write-up as always B&G. I think we definitely need to address the left side of the line. Beachum was just adequate to my eye and Foster is not even that. If we get a premiere left tackle, can Beachum move to left guard? Or do we need both?

 

I do believe that beachum can and should be our starting left guard... he has the feet and hand technique to be a really good one

 

I'm waiting to see alajandro villaneueva hit the field for us at LT. I read he is up to 330 lbs. and he still has those TE feet and that army ranger work ethic. I think the kid will be a good one under munch.

adams and gilbert I'm still not sold on. gilbert still gets pushed back and knocked on his arse way too much for my liking. one should go between the two.

I agree beachum could be a good LG for us.

he also does some things with his athleticism that gilbert and adams just can't at tackle. I've seen him do plenty of good things out in space and save sacks too for all the ridicule he gets on here.

foster doesn't help him over on that side at all. his mobility is really lacking which hurts beachum at the tackle spot too. fill that void and he could look much better. if AV works out we will be in much better shape then. 33 sacks for the group is still a lot better than prior years. scheme and bell helped but they did improve by leaps and bounds.

 

The Army guy on the practice squad I am praying for a miracle . I also think Adams can be a true road grader maybe we should kick him down to Guard at Fosters spot . I know I am crazy , but would like a bigger Center Pouncey gets mauled by true NT'S. Still would like him at Guard as well , but it will never happen.

 

Probably a ILB followed by a WR. And then in the 3rd. we will give up our 4th. to move up and get a Punter .

 

The O-line gets a F for the way they played in the playoff game.

 

I think we can live with Beachum. I think we can win a Superbowl with Beachum given the right circumstances.

I don't like Gilbert, and I don't like Adams. I was hopeful that Rookie we lost off the Practice squad would outperform both of them next year and become the starter. Either way I hope we find a stud right tackle to oust both of the current ones.

Foster is VERY average. He is kind of the leader on the line though since he is the oldest and I don't suspect the staff wants to disrupt that. But just think if we had someone big time right there? Really wish we could upgrade him, but doubtful we will.

 

Thanks for the effort and write-up B&G..... We have similar thoughts with a few exceptions. Beechum is not the prototypical LT but he wins with technique. He has good feet and long arms but I don't want him @ LG. He's quicker than stout so keep him @OT, He's our best option at LT and if we get a better player there I'd move him to RT. Maybe then move Gilbert to LG...

Beechum gave up more sacks because @ LT he faces the league's premiere pass rushers.

Foster is serviceable but an upgrade wouldn't hurt. DD is not the beast we were hoping for but he's good. He may never make All-Pro but he should get a few probowls under his belt before he calls it quits.

Still pissed poor roster management cost us Wesley and even more upset poor drafting didn't get Hurst in here with a lowly late RD pick.

All in all they were much improved and I expect Munch to continue working his magic.

Cajun

 

I gotta say, I've been thinking, and can't figure out for the life of me how Gilbert and Adams wound up with the same grade. I'd have Gilbert at least one grade higher than Adams. Maybe like a B- and a C- or something. If C is really average, maybe Adams should be more in the D+ range.

 

you're thinking in terms of adams at LT, and if he had stayed there, then his grade would be a resounding F- (he could even be unemployed)....
on the right side though, the difference between adams and gilbert is negligible..... I really didn't see much difference between the 2

 

I sure did. A few bad games here and there, especially early on, but I thought Gilbert was much more reliable.

 

his pass protection is still not good though. not terrible run blocking but getting walked back into the pocket and knocked on his arse way too much still for a guy his size isn't good. it's the same knock on him as always. we can do better at that spot.

 

I think Gilbert, Adams, Foster, Pouncy, Jones and Shazier should never leave the weight room until next season. Still have problems with the trainer of these guys. I just remember when the Steelers were always the dominate team in strength and always more physical. This shows when you play teams in the north division.

 

Yeah, I don't expect you to ever approve of Gilbert. I'm not a huge fan of his myself. He's no A student. He never will be perfect. He might not even be "very good." But I think this season was a big step in the right direction for him, just like it was for Beachum. I know you don't think a player should need a good coach to play well, as if good play somehow means less to the team if it took a good coach to get it, but I think giving him a good coach made a big difference, and we'll continue to see him make strides next year.

I was speaking specifically about comparing him to Adams, because I think equating them at this point is just an insult to Gilbert. We could do better at a lot of places, because we have the best player in the league at only two positions. But we just signed this guy to a long contract, and he's playing the best ball of his career, and his arrow is pointing up. He might only be a B or B+ guy for the rest of his career, but that's not a bad thing. For me, at this point upgrading OT would be like upgrading NT. We could probably do it, but why, when we are so desperate at other positions?