stillers4me
11-12-2010, 05:09 PM
Posted on November 12, 2010 (http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/protecting-big-ben-offensive-linemen-weapons/) by ryan (http://www.steelerslounge.com/author/admin/)
In the wake of Max Starks landing on injured reserve — and the subsequent back (http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/starks-reportedly-lost-season-major-blow-steelers/) and forth (http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/starks-season-doomed/) about why the organization refuses to address the offensive line (obvious exception: Maurkice Pouncey) through the early part of the draft — I got to thinking about something Mike Tomlin said minutes after the Steelers used their first two picks of the 2008 draft on running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed.
Heading into that weekend everybody identified the offensive line as a need (you know, like every other draft weekend this century). Some of my favorites in February and March to end up in Pittsburgh — Branden Albert, Chris Williams and Jeff Otah (Ryan Clady didn’t have a chance in hell of slipping to the 23rd pick and there were questions about Gosder Cherlius’ work ethic) — slowly worked their way up draft boards and by that last Saturday in April, all were gone when Pittsburgh went on the clock.
And so went another Day 1 of the draft without addressing the needs that most drove fans crazy. But then Tomlin went on the NFL Network and said something that resonated with me at the time, and which now seems appropriate given our recent discussions about the o-line....................
Read more........http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/protecting-big-ben-offensive-linemen-weapons/
In the wake of Max Starks landing on injured reserve — and the subsequent back (http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/starks-reportedly-lost-season-major-blow-steelers/) and forth (http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/starks-season-doomed/) about why the organization refuses to address the offensive line (obvious exception: Maurkice Pouncey) through the early part of the draft — I got to thinking about something Mike Tomlin said minutes after the Steelers used their first two picks of the 2008 draft on running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed.
Heading into that weekend everybody identified the offensive line as a need (you know, like every other draft weekend this century). Some of my favorites in February and March to end up in Pittsburgh — Branden Albert, Chris Williams and Jeff Otah (Ryan Clady didn’t have a chance in hell of slipping to the 23rd pick and there were questions about Gosder Cherlius’ work ethic) — slowly worked their way up draft boards and by that last Saturday in April, all were gone when Pittsburgh went on the clock.
And so went another Day 1 of the draft without addressing the needs that most drove fans crazy. But then Tomlin went on the NFL Network and said something that resonated with me at the time, and which now seems appropriate given our recent discussions about the o-line....................
Read more........http://www.steelerslounge.com/2010/11/protecting-big-ben-offensive-linemen-weapons/