And the starting line is...

[DCSteelers]

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/07233/810972-66.stm

Marvel, Faneca, Mahan, Simmons, Colon.


That was what I was hoping for.  


The Steelers need to do something soon for depth issues this year and next. We'll see if anything happens before the 9th.

[aj_law]

Cool.  Good to see they're not afraid to change things up by going with Willie over Max.

[Finnegans Wake]

Well, ain't set in stone, but I have no prob with Colon over Starks.  

If I were the coach, Capizzi would play LT for all but maybe the first and second drives against the Iggs.

[Hercules50]

Given what we've seen in the preseason, and the problems we had last year, maybe we should start a six-man line.

I think we need a left tackle-A and a left tackle-B.

Marvel can lock elbows with, I don't know, Capizzi, or Essex, and the two of them can try to keep the other team's best pass rusher out of our backfield.

I'm very worried that BA's four-wide sets are going to turn into max-protection schemes by about week 3.  

[JackSplat]

what happens when marvel goes down for a game or two to injury?  If Smith goes down for any period of time, faneca is the only suitable replacement that wouldnt end in disaster.

With Faneca at LT do you switch Mahan to LG and move Okobi to C keeping Simmons at RG and Starks/Colon.  Or would Simmons be a more beneficial move to LG?

 

[Hercules50]

I think if Faneca goes to LT we put Colon in the lineup.

Okobi -- I've never really understood why he's stuck around so long as such a high-paid reserve. He's been the heir apparent at center for years yet never distinguished himself, and when Hartings retires the team went out and signed a center. I think it's time for him to go, personally.  

[Preacherman0]

Okobi -- I've never really understood why he's stuck around so long as such a high-paid reserve.

I think he's one of those guys who is not a bad player, but is never going to be the "answer" at center.

[msdmnr2002]

Okobi -- I've never really understood why he's stuck around so long as such a high-paid reserve.

Okobi's had the misfortune of some bad timing.  He signed that contract with the plan that Hartings would retire and he would start reasonably soon.  Hartings hung on a year or two longer than expected.  Then, when he finally retires, Cowher does also, so Chukky doesn't get the benefit of being part of the old plan.

If Cowher were coaching this year, I'm sure the starting lineup would be Smith-Faneca-Okobi-Simmons-Starks.

[blurjose]

I know it's the preseason and maybe I'm overreacting, but I'm scared about our o-line. Very afraid, actually.

I'm also upset that the team did almost nothing to address this issue (other than signing Mahan).

I know that the Steelers did not have much to choose from in the first round and that it was, overall, a weak draft for OTs but...I'd just hate to see Ben get sacked 5-10X in the Baltimore games again.

I'd be curious to find out what O-Lineman will be available via FA after the season. Anyone know? (I'm far too lazy to research this myself).

 

[DCSteelers]

Well, they have some time to do a few things this year...  

First, work on resigning Simmons and/or Faneca.  We have seen the the preseason what lies behind them is a little unexpirienced.  If they have a great year and make it to Free agency, can you imagine what a team 30 million under the cap would pay either one?

The caveat is if indeed Okobi and Mahan can mix and match the guard/center spots.

IMHO, Okobi plays his contract out here due to these depth issues.

Next year, I think we have to draft an OT somewhere rnd 1-3.  I feel Max walks after this year based on the camp performance.  Marvel's contract is up after 08',  and quite frankly, that may be #1 prioirty in extending next year as Troy's was this year. I'm totaly fine with Colon at right tackle, but its a scary thought if one of the tackles goes down to injury.