Steelers fire offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr.

Despite an outstanding second half to the 2012 season in terms of production (or a reduction of sacks allowed) the Steelers have fired offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., one season after hiring him to replace Sean Kugler.

It will make the third offensive line coach in the last three years for the Steelers, which is particularly pointed, considering 2012 first and second round draft picks, right guard David DeCastro and left tackle Mike Adams, will play with their third coach in three season. Four in their last four, including their final years in college.

The Steelers offensive line performed well in the team's final eight games in terms of pass protection, but the running game struggled all season long - and has for the last two years. Bicknell was brought in, as thought by some, to implement a zone blocking scheme which never fully materialized. Some of the reason for the lack of outside zone running was thought to be due to the loss of center Maurkice Pouncey, who tore an ACL in the first quarter of Pittsburgh's Week 1 loss to Tennessee.