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Steelers Position Battles: Offensive Guard Depth Chart Looks Firm

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Two preseason games have gone by, and the Steelers have already started two different combinations of interior linemen. LG Willie Colon sat out the first game against Philadelphia, and made his first live-game start as a guard against Indianapolis. Ramon Foster started the first game in Colon's place, and was moved to right tackle for the second game. Rookie David DeCastro started both at right guard.

With the team's recent string of health and performance issues along the offensive line, depth was a key focus this offseason. The starters, Colon and DeCastro, aren't going to be challenged much, if any, for the remainder of the preseason. The battle is going to come for what looks like one last guard position on the 53-man roster, behind Colon, DeCastro and Foster.

Veteran Doug Legursky has the inside track due to his versatility and experience. Legursky can play either guard position and is the primary back-up at center as well. It's tough to beat that when a player is fighting for a back-up spot.

Rookie Ryan Lee has been impressive in the Steelers' first two games, clearly the bright spot on an otherwise sagging third-string offensive line group. Lee, a rookie out of Furman, looks like a stronger version of Legursky when he was a rookie. It may be practice squad for him, but he's putting up a good fight. He's also listed as a center on the Steelers web site.

Rookie seventh-round pick Kelvin Beachum has failed to impress in both run blocking and pass protection, and multiple penalties have essentially relegated him to Practice Squad or Bust status. He essentially has no chance of making the active roster, and odds were long against him even if he performed well. It's worth noting the team played him at left tackle a bit against Indianapolis.

John Malecki, a practice squad member in 2011, seemed destined to end up back there this year.