Pittsburgh Steelers in the trenches: Line up for a quarter
Offensive Line
We realize that injuries are a part of the game and the Steelers have had their fair share in this first quarter of football. Marcus Gilbert, Dave DeCastro and Ramon Foster, in particular, have been dinged causing them to miss games as well as fractions of others.
When all world guard DeCastro misses games, the line has serious struggles. Stat line 2018; 25th in run blocking and 11th in pass protection, 19 rushing yards in an entire game, age 30 and over, chemistry, countless pressures on Big Ben. Only 14 points in an entire game, under 300 yds. passing in a game with rules favoring the offenses. Trench warfare is being overrun by the enemy and its time to take back our land.
After being sacked only 21 times in 2017 with the protection of three pro bowlers, (DeCastro, Pouncey, and Villanueva), Big Ben has starred in “Rush Hour 2 & 3”. LeVeon Bell ran wild and caught passes to boot because of how effective the offensive line performed last year.
Losing Hubbard to Cleveland may be understated, additionally, Jerald Hawkins going on Injured Reserve, Chukwuma Okorafor & Joseph Cheek are the future, could it be the undrafted linemen are in over their heads, Antonio Browns numbers down, chemistry, penalties. James Connors numbers way down after a torrid start, offensive numbers down across the board. Chemistry. The offensive line was much better in 2017 but somehow 2018 has not netted the same type of results. Did I say Chemistry?
When the offensive line is doing their job it helps the entire team through a time of possession, scoring more and of course, by keeping the Steelers still developing defense off the field. The opportunity to play smash mouth football will require each linemen to win at the point of attack which they have shown that they can do well.
So when it comes time to light up the skies with Big Bens bombs, the other team’s defense won’t be able to focus on just one aspect of the offense. Another part that is a direct correlation to the overall offensive problems, is the growth of Randy Fichtner as the new offensive coordinator.
Even though he has history as Big Bens Quarterbacks Coach, game planning and play calling are the very foundations of the offense. Execution is a by-product from that, therefore, its importance cannot be overstated. I don’t see the same fluidity in the play calling and it is taking some time (at the risk of losing games) for Fichtner to find his rhythm. But the O-line has got to win in the trenches in order for the Steelers to win their quarters.