The O-Line Issue

The conversation has been littered throughout all threads but I'm curious, on a player specific level, who will be the bright spot and who may be the down fall.

I know there are some questions at Center and Guard but I think it's safe to assume Green at center (eventually). Id pencil in Trai Turner at this point but definitely could be adjusted via that No 2 eraser.

Who is your stud and dud.

Stud - Banner
I think he'll get a nice pay day after this year.

Dud - low hanging fruit is whoever is playing RG but I'll say BJ or JC at center. I don't think either of them can anchor well enough.

 

Stud-Dotson, dud-Okorafor.

 

I’m not so sure it’s as simple as studs and duds. OLine play is all about unity of purpose, familiarity, confidence, and having no weak links. I really don’t know if that can be achieved quickly with so many new players. Communication errors are going to happen, young players will make mistakes and miss assignments etc. Im worried about the line as a whole rather than any specific player.

This day was always coming. When you have the same core of players in one unit for nearly a decade it is most likely going to come apart quickly as well.

 

I think the strength will be center-left with Greene being the surprise at center and Dotson mauling guys at LG.

I wouldn't call a player dud but I don't think Chuks makes it out of camp at LT and without a real opportunity in preseason to show he is worthy of the spot and his gentle giant streak continues relegating him to swing tackle status.

I think the biggest surprise will be TE2 spot where they use Ebron as a decoy at TE 1 and use dual TE sets where PF lines up at FB motions to outside the LT and helps chip while sliding into the zone for a PA pass. I think they will really work those misdirection plays a lot more than in years past for Ben

 

This won't be kind but if Hassenaur is our center we're in trouble. So Green is the hero or the goat.

 

Interior will be a strength should it gel early. Bookend Tackles will be the lines shortcomings UNLESS Banner and Chuks truly ball out early. Between the two, while I understand the concerns with Chuks, Banner is just as much as unknown as anyone as he really did not play after the first game and is coming back from a serious injury.

 

We are doomed.

 

Sure, but hey let's get you off that fence.
At the end of the year there will, inevitably, be one that preforms better than other and one that preforms less.

All I'm asking is who would stand out, for better and worse.

 

Love this!

Let us not forget in some spots those TE and FBs and swing T may come into play.

 

Maybe it's Banners neck pad but I like the cut of his jib(?)!

I don't know im not a sailor

 

I think I’d be most worried about Chuks and Turner, not sure either of them will be there in 2022. Maybe a light goes on for Chuks this year? Turner had ‘stop gap’ written all over him.

I have high hopes for Dotson, Green and Banner, but it’s not based on anything I’ve seen on the field save for the 200 or so snaps that Dotson took last year. By all accounts Banner was the best lineman at camp last year so hopefully he comes back strong and can make his mark.

My original point stand though, OLine play is all about coaching, consistency and execution rather than star power. The Steelers were able to integrate undrafted guys like Villanueva and Feiler because they had great coaching under Munchak and there were veteran players like DD and Pouncey to mentor less experienced guys. They don’t have any of that now.

 

as i said before, don't under estimate what chris morgan will bring as a coach as well. he may not be munchak but he's been pretty good as an o-line coach. two heads are better then one scenario. pouncey and DD didn't teach AV and feiler how to play tackle.

 

Coaching staff has promise but is unproven. Hopefully they turn out to be great, coaching is going to have to be a huge part of the solution. The Steelers are a good organisation and I believe they’ll figure this out.

I never said Pouncey or DD coached or taught anybody, but they provided veteran leadership. That’s hugely valuable. Who is the leader on this current line? I don’t see one

 

turner. okrafor isn't brand new, banner isn't brand new, haeg, coward, finney. haeg should be sporting a SB ring. morgan isn't unproven either. this is year 12 in the league. he easily could have been the head o-line coach. he will be a huge help. vet leadership is all over this team.

 

Hope you are right

 

I will say Chuks will be a stud this year. Banner will be a dud.

I think Chuks played well last year. I think he takes the next step now that he will be playing on his natural side of the line.

I am not sold on Banner. I think he could end up being a disaster at LT.

 

Too many question marks on the O-line. It's gonna be a long 17 game season.

 

The questions on the line won't be answered in any way, shape or form until preseason, when they start live in game hitting.....
Right now, I think we're better on paper than most people think.... Individually, we're better at certain positions, but a line can only really be assessed by how they play as a unit.... If coach klem has them playing together, than this could be a major team strength

 

You're definitely on to something here. Add to your points, leadership. I'd like to see a leader emerge on the line to set the tone for the rest. Even with the line working together as a unit, it needs a personality. And if there's a nasty s.o.b. leading the charge, the rest will follow suit. In time, I think Green could be that guy. Unfortunately, I don't see us developing a personality this season on the OL. And JC at center doesn't excite me. Like @Roonatic said, Green is going to need to be the straw that stirs this drink.

 

I'm terrified about both tackles, think we'll be OK up the middle.

 

I think Chuks will be an OK at LT, I don't think you will see a huge drop off from AL V to Chuks at the spot.
I think Dotson is going to be a stud Pro-Bowl guard, and I don't believe this crap about the Steelers coaches being upset with him about not being in shape one bit. Guy looks fit to me.

Kenderick Green has to ball out and just down right take that Center job. Not sold on JC Hassaunhauer at all, he can be a back up, but he's not a 17 game starter.

BJ Finney is good for depth at either guard spot and can also play Center if need be. But, the whole Free Agency thing with him at Seattle and Cincy has me worried.

Banner needs to play above average and not get hurt.

I don't think the Steelers have the best line in the NFL, but I think they will be better off than the trash can they are being considered as.

 

I am sure 90% of the NFL teams are having this same discussion. Like the Emperor use to say
football is really not that difficult you block and tackle. Can you beat that guy in front of you? It is really
that simple.

 

Stud : Greene ( right out da gate ) / Dotson

Dud : Finney/ Okorafor

 

Not to pick but banner will be at RT, no?

 

Chuks left. Zach right. Call it a combination of illiteracy and stupidity. Lol. I actually knew what I meant. It's just that no one else did. Happens to me all the time.