Consider some shifting

by C-Mac on Nov 12, 2008 10:54 AM EST Comment 15 comments

Now I know the offensive line has improved to some degree. But here's my idea about some shifting when Marvel Smith returns to the battle field.

Have Marvel return to his current roster spot (if proven worthy) let Starks move to Colon's position and keep the guards where they are. I think this was similar to the 05' team. I just think you have experience on both sides protecting Ben and and playoff tested knowledge.

Keep Colon as a almost reliable reserve.

Your thoughts?

Go Steelers!

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I can live with that lineup!

I think Max has earned an opportunity to stay in the starting lineup while Big Willie’s play has been sporadic IMO.

by Steeler Ric on Nov 12, 2008 11:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It should have been this way from the beginning

This is a trend under Tomlin (although Cowher fell victim to it too i.e. the Amos Zereoue experiment) where he misjudges his talent and installs the inferior player as a starter. For instance, McFadden was behind Deshea on the depth chart at the beginning of the season. Also, Stapleton has played at least as well as Simmons since starting and he has about 87 fewer penalties then Kemoeatu. Maybe this is all just part of a diabolical scheme to keep the best players healthy for a playoff run by limiting their exposure early, although it hasn’t worked that way.

Anyway, they obviously think Starks is a quality player or they wouldn’t have tagged him and given him the requisite payday. I don’t know why Willie Anus has been starting at RT. In fact, I think Starks has played as well at LT as Marvel was playing before he was hurt. Starks needs to start opposite Marvel when he’s healthy and the line will be in decent shape.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Nov 12, 2008 11:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Max

Max was good enough to be the starting RT on the XL team. Either Arians and Zeirlien are totally misjudging the talent and that’s why he sits instead of Colon, or Zeirlien and Arians are such lame teachers that he has completely digressed under them.
I think it’s a battle between the FO which values Starks (they transitioned him and pay him $7 mil) and the Coaching staff which doesn’t.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 12, 2008 12:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Colon and Starks have show what they are made up the last few weeks. Starks has gotten beat plenty and is apparently afraid of a football falling on him, but Colon is absolutely miserable at all facets of playing football. It was barely understandable that they didn’t want to shake up the line more than they had to, but now that Starks is starting it would be an absolute disgrace if he sat instead of Colon.

And now we don’t have to worry about the experiment of moving Colon to guard and seeing how that works out, seeing as there’s no way he beats out Stapleton. Maybe if the staff thinks he’ll be a decent guard they can let the ever inconsistent Kemo go in the off-season and let Colon sit at left guard? We still need an off-season acquisition either through FA or 1st round draft at tackle, and then we’d need to convince Starks he wants to stay which we’ll be tricky. But I’d roll with this lineup if we got some rookies waiting to take over.

by steelguy99 on Nov 12, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here’s my thoughts on that 99, Starks got 7 million for one year here. Basically no one offered him a long term contract for that much or close. They could probably franchise him or come to some agreement for around 7 million for another year. He could play LT or RT while a #1 is learning. Agree about that INT that bounced off him. He looked pretty pathetic on that play especially in slo mo.

Hadn’t thought about Colon for Kemo but that is a definite possibility despite the coaches statements that Colon is not a G. Liked Stapleton his first pre season game when he pancaked a couple DL before getting hurt and sitting out. Would keep Kemo if he came cheap.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 12, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Kemo should be easy to hold on to for cheap. He had a few great games early in the season but has suffered since then and looked elementary. His off-season value should be low unless he thinks too highly of himself. That said, I’d like to see some competition for his spot between him/colon or him/rookieGorC no matter what.

Money speaks, and $7 million is awfully tempting. I would tend to think that players play better when they have a little more loyalty from their team though. I don’t want anyone playing for us that doesn’t want to be here. Obviously the $7 mil should speak for itself…

We absolutely need a tackle on either side in the FA or draft, and another linemen in the middle of the draft or in FA. Our depth is awful and our hope for the future is minimal, though not as bad as the D-lines “future”.

Note I haven’t mentioned Simmons. BM and I shot that around for awhile, we’ll just have to wait and see how Simmons plays out. I don’t want to see him in any more than a backup role next year though, and he won’t be a cheap one.

by steelguy99 on Nov 12, 2008 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Need to get at least one if not two big bad lineman on day 1. Forget best athlete available. Use some of your extra picks to move up in 1 & 2 and get some serious ass kickers for the O line with those picks (see Timmons & Woodley)

Simmons has a pretty serious injury no? He may not even make it back in a back up role. He had the diabetes thing and now this. It’s going to be a tough climb for such a marginal #1.

D line is not getting any younger but has performed admirably. Starting 3 is stellar. Hoke could start. Eason looks more comfortable in the D. Happy with 90 and Roye. Maybe some second day depth for the D line on draft day? Will need a CB too on day 1 if McFadden walks.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 12, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like a pretty good gameplan to me. I’m on bored with Simmons, I think he’s out.

by steelguy99 on Nov 12, 2008 7:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are we a little to hard on colon (ok, get the jokes out of the way right there)

Its not like he was a 1st round draft guy. He was 4th round and I typically believe that Starters only really come from the first 3 rounds (except the occasional diamond in the rough), if that. I don’t know if he has ever come out and demanded to be a starter but I don’t believe he has. Hes obviously not starter quality but don’t hate him for that.

All that being said though I agree with this lineup. Smith, Kemo, Hartwig, Stapelton (I have been very impressed by him), and Starks. With Colon as a quality back-up. He may not be starter quality but as a back-up he is good. I’m wary of Smith and Starks because both are very inconsistent, Smith especially. However, I don’t think it could hurt us any worse to mix up the o-line a little.

by shleeve on Nov 12, 2008 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs