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Last year the talk heading into training camp was about the zone blocking system that was employed by then offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. It was rarely used in 2013, and it didn't help that on the 8th offensive snap of the season the offensive line lost their captain, leader and best player in Maurkice Pouncey for the season with a knee injury.
However it happened, the Steelers dropped the zone blocking scheme faster than a bad habit and focused on the more traditional gap blocking scheme. With new offensive line coach Mike Munchak, and new running backs coach James Saxon now with the team, they will run the scheme which works best for the team.
"Right now, (offensive line coach Mike Munchak) and myself, being the two new guys we’re in the process of learning all the little intricacies of what we’re trying to do as an offense. We’ve had a lot of great discussions about what we want. The conversations that I’m having with the guys in my room, I’ve said, ‘Look, we’re going to do the best things in the running game for the five guys that are blocking up front.’" Saxon told Steelers.com.
However, it isn't just about employing the scheme that the running backs love the most, but instead what will lead to the success of the team that is the focus of Saxon and his players, " I had a conversation with the running backs in my room and said, ‘Look, you guys may want to fall in love with one concept. The correct answer should be, ‘We like them all, and we want the ones that the five guys do best.’"
This wait and see approach of something has minor as blocking schemes could be a large part of the success of the Steelers' running game and ultimately the offense in 2014.
Saxon said, "What you develop into becoming is what you end up doing the best", and that philosophy is exactly what this offensive line needs.