Steelers notebook: RT Gilbert expected to return against Falcons

[Lady Steel]

Marcus Gilbert, who sat out the past two games with an ankle injury, appeared to be at full strength during Thursday's practice. He is expected to be back at right tackle against Atlanta on Sunday at Georgia Dome.

“I hope to contribute to this train we're on,” Gilbert said. “I'm excited about this weekend. My ankle feels pretty good. Obviously, there will be a few tweaks here and there.”



http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/7333473-74/steelers-atlanta-think#axzz3Legpfmo0

[Texasteel]

I wish they would give us more notice. This only gives us 2 days to pray. Now I'm the one that needs a hug.

[Mojouw]

Seems that despite the stats, Gilbert has been the superior tackle to Adams this season. Steelers Depot has some in depth breakdowns:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/12/steelers-will-glad-get-marcus-gilbert-back/

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/12/steelers-vs-bengals-film-review-mike-adams/

I will caution the pictures are not pretty!

[Dwinsgames]

here in Pittsburgh Turnstyles come in a variety of shapes and sizes and names ...

trading one for another

http://www.blooloop.com/_files/News/Image/630201155611turnstyle400.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

wish we had one that performed a little more like this one...

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRI5z7hGhCB52CGnvohA9g9y5lPmu1me Z2CJV2fvz-RVENSsq9ouw

[GBMelBlount]

I wish they would give us more notice. This only gives us 2 days to pray. Now I'm the one that needs a hug.

LOL

[zulater]

After a rough start Gilbert's play has come up to respectable standards. Not in love with the guy. But we can live with him. And the quality of his play seems to be ascending slightly so, he could be a,little better next season. I don't think he'll ever live up to his draft status, and his contract is a little out of line for his caliber of player. But for now and going forward he's good enough. And Adams is ok as a depth player. Though I'm not sure what his contract situation is for next year? Anyway long story short left guard ( Foster) is the only offensive line position that looks in need of immediate improving. And even that isn't that high of priority. We have enough needs in the draft. Luckily offensive line isn't one of them, at least early.

[Lady Steel]

I wish they would give us more notice. This only gives us 2 days to pray. Now I'm the one that needs a hug.

:hug:

And here's one just because you're such a sweetie-pie. :hug:

[86WARD]

After a rough start Gilbert's play has come up to respectable standards. Not in love with the guy. But we can live with him. And the quality of his play seems to be ascending slightly so, he could be a,little better next season. I don't think he'll ever live up to his draft status, and his contract is a little out of line for his caliber of player. But for now and going forward he's good enough. And Adams is ok as a depth player. Though I'm not sure what his contract situation is for next year? Anyway long story short left guard ( Foster) is the only offensive line position that looks in need of immediate improving. And even that isn't that high of priority. We have enough needs in the draft. Luckily offensive line isn't one of them, at least early.

Yet you best be sure, Colbert and Co. will draft an O-Lineman with the #1 pick. "He was the best available and we really don't have any glaring needs at the moment."

[GBMelBlount]

After a rough start Gilbert's play has come up to respectable standards. Not in love with the guy. But we can live with him.

And the quality of his play seems to be ascending slightly so, he could be a,little better next season.

I don't think he'll ever live up to his draft status, and his contract is a little out of line for his caliber of player. But for now and going forward he's good enough. And Adams is ok as a depth player. Though I'm not sure what his contract situation is for next year? Anyway long story short left guard ( Foster) is the only offensive line position that looks in need of immediate improving. And even that isn't that high of priority. We have enough needs in the draft. Luckily offensive line isn't one of them, at least early.

This is why I really hope we don't waste an earlier round pick on an offensive linemen next year.

Our offensive line is top ten and most of them are very young and still improving.

With regard to adding any piece to our offense I will still suggest a beast at TE.

This could be THE missing piece to Ben having a killer short passing game, high red zone efficiency and 30+ ppg average.

[Dwinsgames]

from the other thread that morphed into an O-Line thread ...


Foster ( could use an upgrade ) only under contract through next season http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/ramon-foster/

Adams ( could use upgrade ) only under contract though next season http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/mike-adams/

Decastro deal also runs out after 2015 http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/david-decastro/

Gilbert ( over payed / under perform / oft injured ) http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/marcus-gilbert/

Beachum ( better suited as a LG than LT but it is what it is ) deal also runs out in 2015 http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/kelvin-beachum/

leaving Pouncey as the only one under contract worth a dam post 2015 season so unless you want to over pay some guys who really should be upgraded we damned sure better draft a Tackle in this next draft and one the following year as well ( should probably get a guard too unless moving Beachum inside )

cant see us handing out 4 new contracts to current o linemen

[zulater]

This is why I really hope we don't waste an earlier round pick on an offensive linemen next year.

Our offensive line is top ten and most of them are very young and still improving.

With regard to adding any piece to our offense I will still suggest a beast at TE.

This could be THE missing piece to Ben having a killer short passing game, high red zone efficiency and 30+ ppg average.

If they invested a 4-6th round pick on an interior lineman, particularly one who could play both center and guard, I'd be good with that. I could even see going as high as a 3rd round pick for the right player. Unless Foster's injuries are something that was a one year type thing, i.e. an early ankle sprain that never quite heals up, but with an offseason figures not to be a future issue. In other words either Foster's play has been injury impaired all season, or his play is in decline. That needs to be determined, because any further decline by Foster and that position becomes a huge liability, one that will have repercussions on the field.

[st33lersguy]

Hopefully they run run run against Atlanta. They O-line seems to do better run blocking than pass-blocking