Pittsburgh Steelers Director of Player Personnel Kevin Colbert is really earning his money. Hours after signing a five year extension himself, Colbert inked 2010 second rounder linebacker Jason Worilds to a four year deal. Yesterday, he brought in Dallas Cowboys reject Flozell Adams to shore up an offensive line in shambles. Adams signed a two year $7.5 million contract with no signing bonus and neither year is guaranteed which translates to “He was desperate to find a job.” The Hotel is going to man the right tackle spot left vacant due to the season ending injury to Willie Colon.
The final piece of the O-line puzzle was put in place yesterday with the signing of first round pick Maurkice Pouncey to a five year deal. Pouncey is one of the players I’m most excited about seeing this year. A center/guard while at Florida, he’ll compete with Trai Essex for the starting right guard position. Long term, the team expects him to be the next in a line of legendary Steelers centers. I wouldn’t even rule that switch coming this season as Justin Hartwig was horrible last year and if he continues to struggle this year, I can foresee a fed-up Mike Tomlin inserting Essex at RG and moving Pouncey over to center.
After years of sufferring from poor offensive line play, it looks like change is finally upon us. Whether it’ll be a change for the better remains to be seen. Honestly, though, it cannot possibly be much worse.