HELP MUNCHAK... Why is BJ Finney out of the starting lineup?

Finney has always been there when needed at guard or center, so why the bums rush out of the starting lineup? We are blessed to have a backup like Finney when we need him.

I thought he showed up and had a good game against the colts.

They really think Okorafor at tackle will be an improvement? And when is the last time Feiler played guard?


Where is Munchak when you need him.

 

As Mike Tomlin indicated this week,
Steelers are losing the LOS battles on
both sides of the ball. Hence 27th in the league
in rushing.

 

I think they're moving him out because of the move at LT and he's the only guy they have that's ready to back-up Pouncey (who played hurt last week).

They shuffled the lines and are going to go with Feiler in Foster's place at LG and Chuks at RT so they can have Finney who can play either position in case Pouncey ends up aggravating what he was dealing with last week, without having to shuffle guys in-game against Donald and company. Also, doing it this early lets them get practice in at those positions.

When you look at it that way it makes perfect sense.

 

Puts our strongest lineman inside to help with Donald and keep him out of masons face. Banner can help chuks.

 

Finney and Feiler are both free agents in 2020 as it happens, and Fosters contract makes him a prime cut candidate given he has been really struggling. They need to start rebuilding that line ASAP. It would be a huge boost if Chuks turns out to be starter quality at tackle.

 

Loosing Munch has hurt big time.

 

Injuries hurt more. Munch hasn't been able to turn Denvers oline into any special up to this point.

 

Indeed, Denver’s protection is among the worst in the league, Flacco was being beaten up bad until he went on IR.

Have they missed Munchak in the running game though? Supposedly he was very involved in the run scheme. Steelers are snakebit with injuries in this group too so I guess it is hard to say.

 

Remember our line before Munch?

 

We weren't a good run blocking team when Munchak was here. LB covered up a lot of run blocking warts.

 

Conner was putting up good numbers throughout 2018 until he got hurt so I don’t know if I fully buy that. I think a lot of the issue is teams putting eight in the box and the OLine just regressing in general.

 

It is just a hunch but to piggy back off of what Mac Daddyo stated, Matt Feiler is best suited for that Guard role. The more interesting aspect is that Chuks will finally see some action at the Right Tackle spot should that be the case. I would imagine they continue to use Banner as the "Tackle Eligible" player to assist Chuks in the game in the run.



Now, what does this all mean assuming this is the plan Sunday?! I believe we are going to see a "Dress Rehearsal" of sorts for the 2020 Steelers Offensive Line as Ramon and Finney are likely out of here. In addition, given the fact that they did spend a Third Round Pick of Chuks; some analysts stating that he would have been a First Round Pick had he gone to a college like Alabama or LSU, I assume the time is now to see what Chuks can do now.

 

I don't know if its the loss of Munchak or a different scheme in the running game. Our Oline has never been the road grader types that blow people off the ball, they have had more success when they are pulling DD or Pouncy. They seem better suited to blocking in space.

It doesn't help when they load the left side with Banner and then hand off going left, " They will never guess we are going to the left."

On defense coverage helps pressure and pressure helps coverage.
On offense a running game helps the passing game and a passing game helps the run game.
We do not have a passing game that scares anybody so they load the box to stuff the run.
When we do pass there are so many dump offs and short passes again they load the box.
The passing game is drawing the defense in close and ruining the running game, way to go Fitch nice plan.

 

LB averaged 4 ypc

 

I just don't think the loss of Munch is as earth shattering as some seem to believe. The Oline is still doing a pretty good job pass blocking. They were never a good unit consistently blowing people off the ball in the run game.

 

You are correct but they went from subpar run blocking to abysmal

 

I heard on SNR they might be doing this because they don't want their backup center to start.

 

I heard on TSF.com that Fitchner & Tomlin & Ben & the O'Line are out to get Mason.

 

Well if it's true Pouncy is playing injured I think you have to go with keeping your backup center off the field

 

Finney has always been rock solid in his start at center and guard; Okorafor has lost his job again and again. Okorafor is playing out his rookie contract and then he is gone.

If Pouncey is injured then this would all make since as you would need Finney at center.