Boosting The Odds: Steelers Need To Bring In Offensive Free Agents For Training Camp

With Mike Adams’ recovery uncertain at this time, the Steelers should bring in a couple of veteran lineman as an extra look for some backup. Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Training camp is quickly approaching for our heros in Black & Gold, and the Steelers have an opportunity to bring in a few free agents still on the market who could, at the very least, add some much needed competition on the offensive side of the ball.  ‘Why not the defensive side too?’ you ask.  Well, quite frankly, the current veterans and young guys have rotted enough as it is on the bench in LeBeau’s ‘You can’t date until your 25’ system of developing defensemen.  Bringing in more veterans for the sake of talented veterans will only confuse the issue in camp and hurt the defense in the long term.  Get those kids out on the field and show what they’ve got.  So let’s just focus on the offense.

Jammal Brown OT, 32 years old

November 6, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tackle Jammal Brown (77) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs (96) at FedEx Field. The 49ers won 19-11. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Things looked swell for the Steelers offensive line during the early months of the offseason.  During the first set of OTA’s it appeared the team had found a formula for a lineup that could get the running game going and keep Ben Roethlisberger well protected.  However, the stabbing of Mike Adams not only brought forth a collective gasp from Steeler Nation, but also left a rather large question mark at the right tackle position.  The Steelers since signed Guy Whimper, a very average lineman who (as Nick pointed out) has numerous technique flaws that could put Big Ben and running backs at risk.

Offensive tackle Jammal Brown is still looking for a home and is a bit better than Whimper by being slightly above average.  His pass protection has become suspect since joining the Redskins in 2010, but any and all competition should be welcomed in Latrobe when it comes to the offensive line.  Brown has stayed healthy for most of his career except for the 2009 season when he was out all season long with injury.  Brown is on the lighter side of 300 and would fit well in the zone blocking defense.  Bring’em in if he seems healthy enough.