We miss Banner

Zach Banner's knee injury seems like it happened so long ago, but I really do think the offense misses him. He's a much better run blocker than Okorafor, who gets pushed around too often.

Also, he just seems like a really good guy. I thought it was great the way he spoke out about DeSean Jackson's anti-Jewish comments on social media in July. This Tweet is what made me think of him today. For those who don't remember, Tree of Life is the synagogue in Squirrel Hill where the mass shooting happened a couple of years ago. Something no one here would know is that I am a former member of that congregation.

 

It definitely was disappointing to see Banner go down. Was looking forward to see what he could do. At this point I am missing Ramon Foster

 

I'm not sure I'd go that far, but if Dotson's injury keeps him out a while, they may want to give Foster a call.

 

Really hoping Banner comes back next year and makes that RT spot his own with Chuks moving to LT to replace Big Al. I’d agree that Banner won that RT spot in camp on the strength of his run blocking after putting in serious work in the off season, it was devastating to see him go down week 1.

 

Would have been nice to see what the run game looked like with him. He's a huge guy.

 

Banner will be back as well as Chuks and Dodson. Starting the young transition. Depth is paramount.

Feiler and AV are UFA. I can see them possibly resigning Feiler to play right tackle.

Pouncey is signed through 2021 with a large cap hit. Plays it out.

DeCastro is signed through 2021 with a large cap hit. Plays it out.

Center should be on the radar in the draft.

 

Never should have moved Feiler to guard. Dotson should have started at guard. I do hope he is back soon. These two moves would have made the run game better. I agree we need interior players added. Center and another guard. With chuks, Hawkins and banner back next year. Coyle, gray, Walton and jc as some depth. Coyle, gray and Walton and you could add jarron Jones I guess ( surprised he's still here), are all tackles. This leaves us thin on the interior.

 

Foster was Fat and Horrible...And sucked for 2 years!

 

Oh stop lol....He couldn't even get out of his stance last year, and weighed 400 pounds...You don't remember the last game of the year against the Ravens....When we were playing to get into the Playoffs,and the Ravens were playing their 3rd string!

I do....They ran around Foster all game, and you want his Fat Ass back?

 

I should have said almost missing Foster. I was just lamenting the injuries. Thankfully it looks like Dotson may be ok and they signed Danny Isidora.

 

It wasn't a serious suggestion. I've posted a few times myself about how terrible Foster was at the end.

 

Whew...I knew you were smart

 

Who? Lol

 

Did anyone catch the play where the Bills gambled it was a run and blitzed right at the snap of the ball? I ask because one of the Bills knocked Dotson backwards almost rolling him into Ben and I think it shorted out the play as well. It just shows even with a better player in sometimes the guy opposing him gets the better of him.

 

Felt bad when Banner went down. He worked his tail off for that starting spot.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time injuries wrecked this o-line like it has this year. Really wish they would have kept Wisniewski around. They have to address this line in the draft this spring. They need a center, at least one guard, maybe two.

 

IDK why your post brought this memory, Years ago a former D lineman was being interviewed (cannot remember who or for what team). He was asked about Mike Webster and that great Steeler line. He said the trap play was the standard and time after time worked to perfection, but just this once he was going to beat it and stop Franco. At the snap Webster and the 2 guards all hit this gut knocking him on his ass. When he got up he told Mike that was a hell of a scheme. Webster said, sorry man we made a mistake. LMAO The guy said it made you NOT WANT the steelers to make mistakes.

 

I agree on all you said. I think Dotson has a great future, but really need depth and start looking toward the future (and that future is likely sooner than we think)

 

definitely want to see banner back at rt next yr., but chuks should be the backup...… At this point, I think AV needs to be resigned ……. he's been having a real bounce back season, while chuks has been a liability in the run game

 

Good teams build or rebuild from the interior line out. Good interior lines can help hide some warts.

 

Steeler C history...get the right guy for a decade and build from there.

 

Webster, Dawson, Hartings, Pouncey.... I don't think any other NFL team could match that.

 

Mansfield probably belongs in that discussion, too. You are right. I don't know of any team with a history like that at center.