FanPost

Steelers switch to Zone-Blocking seems more and more likely

With the Steelers' recent activity involving the OL, and the hiring of Jack Bicknell Jr. as their new OL coach after Sean Kugler left to Coach UTEP, the Steelers seem to be preparing to switch from their traditional Man-Blocking system, to the more complex Zone-Blocking system. Also, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette, the Steelers aren't expected to pursue Max Starks or Ramon Foster to return to the team, and they are also expected to release oft-injured LG Willie Colon. Bicknell told Steelers.com that he wants the team to stay away from linemen "who get huge and then they can't bend and move" and that the new preference is for players who can "move, run, and have quickness off the ball to get into people".

This makes sense. With the recent moves in the Draft by the Steelers, they are going after more agile, lean OLinemen (Pouncey, Gilbert, DeCastro, Adams) rather than the traditional mauling linemen we have seen in the past such as Alan Faneca, Willie Colon, Marvel Smith, and Max Starks. This makes the Steelers possibly going after Chance Warmack in the Draft, all but a pipe dream for Steeler fans, as he doesn't fit the new system.

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