BTSC Steelers Daily Six-Pack: Troy Polamalu's Injury Was Much Worse Than We Thought Edition
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 4, 2010 2:38 PM EDT
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PrintIX-Teams in the National Football League are notoriously secretive regarding injury situations and some teams much more so than others. (Think the New England Patriots under the Bill Bellicheck regime). The Pittsburgh Steelers under Mike Tomlin have been what you could categorize as secretive much of Mike Tomlin's era and at a minimum you could categorize them as being "vague" regarding players injuries. (Think the mysterious Limas Sweed "non-football" related issue last season.) So, while is shouldn't be surprising to read the Pittsburgh Tribune's article on Troy Polamalu's knee injury last season, it was actually incredibly surprising and scary. Troy's qoutes in the article are very troubling including the following quote:
"If it didn't heal correctly, I guess maybe I would have needed surgery, and if I would have needed surgery, it would have been career-threatening."
X-After the Steelers signed former Virginia Tech defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor and listed him as a fullback many of us BTSC'ers were quite confused especially considering that no evidence could be found that Taylor ever was a fullback or had any experience at the position. Well luckily the Pittsburgh Post Gazette shed some light on the situation with a short profile on Demetrius and the fullback position as it is currently used in Pittsburgh. I have sincere doubts that Taylor will end up on the active roster, but he could be an interesting player at 6 foot, 270 pounds lining up in the backfield.
XIII-Michael mentioned this morning that he is very lucky to have Dale Lolley aboard for his 2nd annual Maple Street Press "Pittsburgh Steelers Annual." Lolley seems to have his pulse to the Steeler organzation as well as Ed Bouchette and Jim Wexell many times and tends to be a bit more candid, certainly more so than Bouchette. His blog NFL from the Sideline is one of my favorites especially during off-season workouts and training camps. He also takes the time to answer many of the comments posted on his blogs and multiple times the information he relays in those comments is more insightful than anything you will be able to get in the Post Gazette or Tribune Review. Anyways, here is a link to his initial mini-camp thoughts.
XIV-It's never a bad time for a video of someone getting tasered; especially when it is a Philadelphia fan. (I guess we can all wish it was a Baltimore Raven's Fan (Cough, Cough: Mr. Malor). Here is an article on the incident; and video after the jump. Any thoughts on whether the staff should of tased the intruding fan?
XL-Ken Laird of ESPN 1250 took a look at the roster battles after the first mini-camp concluded this weekend and some surprise players could be on the outside looking in according Laird including special teams aces Anthony Madison, Patrick Bailey, and Andre Frazier along with an uphill battle for younger players like Kraig Urbik, Tony Hills, and all-pro world beater Isaac Redman.
XLIII-Our friends over at Bleeding Green Nation, the SBNation site for the Philadelphia Eagles has an interesting discussion on the state of the Dallas Cowboy's offensive line, specifically related to their age. In their breakdown they go over the entire starting offensive lines for all 32 teams and the Steelers have the 10th youngest line in the NFL (this is assuming that Maurkice Pouncy gets the start this season). It's an interesting tid-bit for a line that has long-been criticized considering they looked much improved last season and could certainly be a highlight in the 2010 season if they can play well together under new O-Line coach Sean Kugler.
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Funny
I remember somebody reporting similar information about Troy’s injury last year. Hmmm
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
who was that?
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 4, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't remember but I know him very well
and he looks like Carlton Banks
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 4, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Still the ONLY dance I can do really good.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
I knew that was coming
even though I can’t see it
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
That someone said he would definitely be having surgery though
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 4, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Were those the actact words?
and besides quit bringing up counterpoints. :)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Its what I am good at though!
I shoulda been a lawyer, except I hate endless studying
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 4, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
My daughter is going to be one
Anyhow…I believe I said most likely he would need surgery and I may have even said that if he does have surgery that’s not good because it could be his demise. PCL’s are no joke. Shawne Merriman is the latest example, He had surgery and he’s actually one of the better stories from post PCL surgery. I think he had LCL problems too but…..
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
My daughter has two more classed and then the bar exam.
I tried to get her to go into something a bit more respectable like bank robbery or auto sales but she is determined to be a blood sucking shyster. I don’t know where I went wrong.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
DOH!
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Depends what kind of law she practices
My dad is a retired Patent lawyer. Even he hates lawyers.
I love being the most-hated guy here. I love beating them while [their fans] are flicking me off. --Hines Ward
Do you know the difference between a Carp and a Lawyer?
One is a scum sucking bottom feeder and the other is a fish.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
If you can't catch 'em
tase ’em
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on May 4, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions
don't taze me bro
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"It's a great day to be a mountaineer, where ever you may be" Tony Caridi
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
my aim sucks
so yer safe from me
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick. (By the way, Hines was a 3rd round draft pick)
by kick him in the head on May 4, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Shouldn't that be 23rd oldest?
Or 10th youngest probably sounds the best. Too bad the Ravens are younger than ours.
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
I loved this quote
“You can point your fingers at a lot of things, but we were still one game away from the playoffs last year,” Polamalu said. “We still lost (all) seven games by seven points or less. We didn’t have that bad of a year.”
I love the optimism.
Philly kid getting tazed? I watched it 3 times. Please taze him bro!
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
No the staff shouldn't have tazed him though.
They should have just let Silver Back deal with him.
You didn’t see it, but I love how Ryan Howard was cracking up watching the whole thing.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
When it comes to losing
It seems you can sell both sides. On one hand losing close games makes us think we were close to winning. But on the other hand, a loss is a loss. Be it by 3 pts or 17 points, it’s still not winning.
I can’t really get behind the idea of police electrocuting the citizenry for … what.. trespassing? delay of game? Seems just a tad out of kilter with the crime. Even putting aside the fact that people keep on dying from tazers, how was this kid a threat to anyone? If they didn’t have a tazer, were they going to shoot him? because that’s how tasers were originally marketed.
by MadBlackAndGold on May 4, 2010 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I completely disagree
Look at the crazy bat shit things a couple fans have done: Monica Seles got stabbed int he back which basically ruined her career, that ump got attacked by that father and son, and didn’t another tennis player get stabbed a year or so ago? It is kind of scary when you consider how low the security is between fans and players, especially considering how fanatical fans can get. There is nothing to stop them from getting on the field. Maybe this kid was not a threat, but they never know. All it takes is one crazy guy with a weapon, no taser, and an unsuspecting player/ref and you have big problem.
A taser is not a big deal. It stings for like 5 seconds and just leaves you stunned. I think he had it coming for being a (probably) drunken buffoon.
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 4, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
He was 17
I don’t think he was drunk. Not saying that rules it out, I’m just saying I think he’s an idiot, nothing more really.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
Do you think they were running after him asking him his age?
Or just running around trying to take him down because they were concerned for the player’s health?
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 4, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
No I think he should have been.
I’m just pointing out that he probably wasn’t drunk, which makes it worse in my opinion. I could sympathize with pounding to many at a game and doing something belligerent. Just doing it because you think it’s funny and you’re in your normal state of mind? Just stupid.
Bungles Tank Stupidly like Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
Do you know he doesn’t have a knife or a gun? Do you know that he isn’t hopped up on PCP or cocaine or another drug that makes him temporarily immune to pain?
The man was out on the field in a place that he KNOWS he shouldn’t be running around presenting a possible danger to the players, coaches, and the fans. Is the security guard supposed to make a judgment call on whether he is a danger or is he supposed to neutralize the danger as quickly as possible? Probably the reason he was given a taser was to use it in case someone comes on the field and will not surrender when asked to do so.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 4, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
judgement call
Is the security guard supposed to make a judgment call on whether he is a danger . . .
Good Lord, Yes! Do you really want every rent-a-cop or actual police for that matter to take a shoot-electricity now, ask questions later attitude? There have been many many cases of fatalities from taser shock. How many cases are there of lunatics running on the field with an intent to injure? one? two?
Furthermore, if you suspect a person of being under the influence of narcotics that’s a reason not to electrocute them, as they are at an increase risk of a heart attack.
Reading about this incident online really makes one realize that we haven’t come very far since we (humans that is) threw Christians into the ring with lions for entertainment purposes.
by MadBlackAndGold on May 4, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
well there arent exactly lunatics running around with intent to injure on sports fields every day
they werent going to risk it. besides, running from police is a perfectly acceptable reason for getting tased. and how can you compare using a device specially designed for NOT killing somebody, to killing for entertainment?
Don't know about security guards
But cops are trained to think quickly and logically. My Dad is one so I should know. My dad could type on his laptop talk on the cell while driving down the road. Every where he drives he is always think where he would go if something went wrong. Yes my Dad carries a taser. He also has been tased and every time he uses it he has to report it.
If your doing durgs and die from being tased(which is rather rare) It’s your own fault for getting hooked.
The guard didn’t know the kids age, wheter he had a gun, knife, or anything. He just knew the kid was breaking the law and could be possibly dangerous, so he acted to end the threat and should commended for his quick action.
Now who is going to jump onto the field fully knowing there is a guard willing to tase that person? Not very many
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
So you think the police get to be judge, jury, and executioner (351 deaths and counting) on anyone they deem at their sole discretion to be a buffoon. I guess we’ll just have to disagree on that.
by MadBlackAndGold on May 4, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
351 deaths since 2001, with absolutely no background information on those situations What is the break down of deaths per year? Is it increasing or decreasing since 2001? How many of these were an effect of drugs in the persons system? Etc, etc. Talk about a completely misleading statistic.
It says in just Houston last year that a taser was used 1400 times since 2004. That is Houston alone. So 12,000 police officers using tasers, that would make approximately 12,000*1,000 (under estimating for you) making 12,000,000 uses of a taser since 2004. We can extrapolate that back to 2001 making it over 18,000,000 uses and 351 deaths, or 1 in over 50,000 tases or 0.02%. Not too add taser technology has increased significantly since they began using them in 2001 and I am sure the majority of those deaths are back weighted.
That’s quite the overreaction there.
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 4, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s quite the overreaction there.
Hey, I’m not the one electrocuting a 17 year old for delay of game. I think taser use is justified in a small handful of cases where people are in danger. I just don’t think police should be so flippant in using what basically amount to torture devices for simple non-compliance or even for the crime of running on a particular stretch of grass that he was prohibited from running on.
by MadBlackAndGold on May 4, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Tell that to this guy. That was a father and a 15 year old.
Or this guy
Or Monica Seles.
Or the whole Ron Artest thing.
Etc.
Rules exist for the players and fans well-being. You are breaking the law when you break rules inside a ball park and you should be treated like a criminal.
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 4, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Or, you could defend the use of tasers to the 351 families of those who have been killed by them. The kid is being charged with trasspassing not assault. He didn’t threaten any one player on the field. His presence is not an automatic threat against the players.
Furthermore, these tasers sere supposed to be used as non-lethal alternatives to firearms. Which is not what happened in this case or a number of other cases across the country. I’m not against the taser. Just it’s abuse.
Put on your dancin' shoes.
The kid is not being tasered because he ran on the field. He’s getting tasered for running from a police officer. If he ran on the field and stopped, he wouldn’t get tasered.
Or, you could defend the use of tasers to the 351 families of those who have been killed by them.
Death is obviously an unfortunate rare occurrence with tasers, but those people were breaking the law and/or resiting arrest. Several of my very good friends are police officers and they put their lives at risk every day for our security. If they fear their life at any point and feel the need to use a taser, I stand by that. I do not feel sympathetic to the criminal.
He didn’t threaten any one player on the field. His presence is not an automatic threat against the players.
Yes he did. The second he entered the field he was a threat to everyone on the field, because of events like Monica Seles and Tom Gamboa. Once a person enters the field you have absolutely no idea what their intentions are. All you know if they could do anything and they should be taken down immediately for everyone’s well being.
Except for some 0.02% of cases, tasers are non lethal. And I would assume that alot of those lethal cases were a result of the person being on some drug or abuse by the officer. I know that taser education with police officers is a lot more thorough now and that the technology with them has come a long way since 2001.
The future is not what it used to be.
What the media did not tell you.
by John Stephens on May 5, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions
He didn’t threaten any one player on the field.
yet
We honestly didn’t know what he was going to do. The guard ended it before he got out of hand. Which would be more harmful falling to the ground under your own weight or being tackled and landing awkwardly on a body part breaking a bone?
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
Tasers didn't kill them
Since June 2001, more than 351 individuals in the United States have died after being shocked by police Tasers
.
If they die it because of some per existing condition not the taser.
Sorry for the rant but I can’t help it that site is written by a bunch of idiots
Because Tasers are often seen as completely safe and non-lethal, they are often used as a weapon of first rather than last resortFirst off tasers are the first resort with a uncooperative suspect because they are safer than a club or the gun. If you refuse to co-operate Police reserve the right to tase you.
I hate pacifists
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
How to not get Tasered.
Rule #1 Don’t run from cops.
Rule #2 Don’t threaten to fight, or act like you are trying to fight a Cop.
Rule #3 Don’t talk smack or spit on cops.
Violation of rule #1, and a tasering. I have no problem with this one, or the 62 yr. old guy that got tasered while yelling at Cops and resisting efforts to remove him from a baseball stadium.
Tasering someone who is co-operating, or is restrained is where the line is crossed by the cops.
Now if you’ve done something bad enough, then by all means run. This guy should get a serious fine for running from the police.
Should Ben get tased?
Thats the real question we are all missing here. Does Ben need an automatic Penis tazer that upon entry shocks his jiblets?
not needed
we have punxy palomolu.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on May 4, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Get 'im Punxy.......Still LMAO
9:00AM In excruciating pain, Ben drops to his knees as he leaves his house. Punxy Palomolu, who had been hiding outside Ben’s door, delivered six lightning fast punches, rope-a-dope fashion, to Ben’s burgers. Punxy skips backwards (Very few can do this) down Ben’s walkway giving the tearful quarterback the finger with both barrels as he makes his way back to Hamp’s car. Casey is in tears too.
Thx WYOFAN
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler."
-- Jack Lambert --
He got what he deserved and the only bad thing is they didn't tase hin twice
He wanted to draw attention and he did. Unfortunately the guy whose attention he drew was a cop with a taser. I think he should have been tased, kicked in the nads for good measure and thrown into the cell with Ben Dover. Punks like this really piss me off.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
People that run out into the fields are idiots
I hate baseball games because they are too long, (and theres generally no violence) and having a game held up cuz some moron wants his 30 seconds of ill-fame) Dunno if he needed to be tased, but some physical punishment in front of everyone ought to be a nice deterrent. I’d watch baseball more if they tied those idiots to a fence maybe just outside of the shortstop area, and batters would get an automatic homerun if they hit them.
btw, people that were curious about McFaddens #?
Post Gazette espouses:
Bryant McFadden promised to remunerate Keenan Lewis for giving him his No. 20 back, but neither will say how much it cost him. Lewis switched to No. 23. … Rookie C Maurkice Pouncey, now wearing No. 53, is trying to convince linebacker Patrick Bailey to give him his No 55.
He doesn't have to worry about Patrick Bailey
- will be available at the end of camp.
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln
by chewiesteeler on May 4, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Um, WTF?
55 will be available at the end of camp
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln
by chewiesteeler on May 4, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I've got no problem with people getting tased for breaking the law...
the only reluctance I have in the situation is the judgment of the person operating the taser, do it for too long and you could kill the person.
But just for the sake of argument, using a taser is fine, excessive use is obviously not.
Tasers only shock for a max of 5 secs
That can’t kill you.
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
Unless the person has a heart condition.
Or a neurological issue.
"Hey baby, want some Adam West penis?"
- Adam West
The taser might have maginfied the problem
but the taser itself didn’t kill them
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
nope
epic fail on trying to post a picture:)
by BlackandGoldSSgt on May 4, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok
that’s twice..is it possible to load a picture from a file on my drive or does it have to be a URL?
by BlackandGoldSSgt on May 4, 2010 4:23 PM EDT reply actions
It has to be from a page/source on the net
So a picture on your computer won’t work.
Oh yeah, it doesn’t work in the subject line either.
"Hey baby, want some Adam West penis?"
- Adam West
Steel you need to teach me how to put a picture with a comment...
I am still a young padawan when it comes to this
Me also
Just because I’m a college graduate doesn’t mean I’m smart.
Wait…
"Don't Call It A Comeback"
by StoneColdSteel on May 4, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
There's the little tree looking picture next to the 'link' button
when you click on it, a window will pop up with “http://” highlighted. You can click on a net-based picture, then click on ‘properties’, copy the location addy, and paste it in the window. Then click ‘ok’ at the bottom of the popup window.
I always hit ‘preview’ before I post it to see if I did it right, lol…
"Hey baby, want some Adam West penis?"
- Adam West
I screwed up...This was supposed to be in there too...
"Hey baby, want some Adam West penis?"
- Adam West
I did It too....LOL
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler."
-- Jack Lambert --
Whatchoo talkin bout Willis?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
LMAO, nice
"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player, and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler."
-- Jack Lambert --
To whoever is spamming our boards (like you're gonna see this anyway...)
"Hey baby, want some Adam West penis?"
- Adam West
yes, yes he is
And he wants to know
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene and Jerry Kramer
"It's a great day to be a mountaineer, where ever you may be" Tony Caridi
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan
by WVPiratesfan on May 5, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Where the white women at?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
I can't see that one
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
its
the buzz killington award
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on May 5, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
dang and I didn't write a speech
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
youre like a blind man that constantly bumps into all of our images that we put in comments
and after you run into them a few times and fall over, everyone quietly and sweetly explains to you what it is youve been unwittingly humping
by klompus on May 6, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I might trip over things
but I don’t hump what I can’t see. Best believe that.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
so
you need the lights on?
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on May 7, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
only when inspecting after that it's on
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Our young O-line
Yes, finally someone points this out! I’ve been saying this forever!Fans and pundits alike constantly dump on this unit without referencing a few key facts.
First, Ben’s style of play, while responsible for some really explosive plays down the field and some drive-sustaining nonsense on third-down, contributes greatly to the year-end sack numbers. He holds the ball way longer than anyone ought to be able to; sometimes he makes plays down the field, sometimes he gets sacked.
Also, the highly-graded offensive line prospects are often productive from the get-go – I’m talking guys like Joe Thomas, Jake Long, etc. – but our line has been a bunch of later-round, developmental guys who have made visible improvement over the seasons. What’s more, they’re still really young, with the exception of Hartwig. Lineman often don’t reach their peak until they’re twenty-seven or twenty-eight and even then, the good ones remain very productive into their 30s. With the addition of Pouncey and the possible emergence of Urbik (and potentially Hills?) somewhere down the road, I’d say the offensive line has a good chance to become a very effective unit.
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