Pouncey's sophomore slump

[Craic]

I've noticed Pouncey a lot more this year, and not for good things. I've seen him get blown up more than once and has started taking some bad penalties.

No, this isn't a "throw Pouncey under the bus" thread. He's still our best lineman and overall, a real bright spot in our future. But I wonder if he is just trying to hard, or if he's just hit that wall. Has anyone else noticed this?

[SteelerFanInStl]

I don't feel that he's playing up to last year but it's possible that he's trying too hard to make up for the deficiencies around him. The penalty that he got yesterday for the late hit is in question because they never even showed a replay of it. I don't know whether it was deserved or not but at least he's fighting all the way to the whistle, unlike other guys.

[fansince'76]

I don't feel that he's playing up to last year but it's possible that he's trying too hard to make up for the deficiencies around him.

Agreed, and I think the ankle might still be bothering him too.

[salamander]

I think a lot of it has to do with his ankle. I have a feeling it's still bothering him.

[zulater]

Just watched the first half of the game on NFL rewind, I paid careful attention to Pouncey. And as someone who was critical of his play last week against the Colts, he had a tremendous first half, and the personal foul penalty on him was a complete joke. The ref who threw that flag deserves to be reprimanded.

Maybe his play fell off in the second half? I'll give you my opinion on that later.

[BlastFurnace]

I've noticed Pouncey a lot more this year, and not for good things. I've seen him get blown up more than once and has started taking some bad penalties.

No, this isn't a "throw Pouncey under the bus" thread. He's still our best lineman and overall, a real bright spot in our future. But I wonder if he is just trying to hard, or if he's just hit that wall. Has anyone else noticed this?

I have a feeling that he his playing injured with that ankle and can't get the movement and leveredge that he had last year.

[zulater]

I have a feeling that he his playing injured with that ankle and can't get the movement and leveredge that he had last year.

There was nothing wrong with the way Pouncey played yesterday.

[BlastFurnace]

There was nothing wrong with the way Pouncey played yesterday.

Admittedly, I didn't watch him that much yesterday. I was too busy watching the floodgates open at the perimeter of the o'line.

[tube517]

I've noticed Pouncey a lot more this year, and not for good things. I've seen him get blown up more than once and has started taking some bad penalties.

No, this isn't a "throw Pouncey under the bus" thread. He's still our best lineman and overall, a real bright spot in our future. But I wonder if he is just trying to hard, or if he's just hit that wall. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Steeldude]

hopefully he isn't going to be another kendrell bell. if he continues to play poorly i wonder if they could tinker with moving him to G and sliding legursky in temporarily. this depends on how the season progesses. as of now i doesn't look like the steelers are showing improvement.

[The Duke]

hopefully he isn't going to be another kendrell bell. if he continues to play poorly i wonder if they could tinker with moving him to G and sliding legursky in temporarily. this depends on how the season progesses. as of now i doesn't look like the steelers are showing improvement.

I've been thinking that ever since they decided Legursky was their starter

Even those 4 games last year Legursky simply did not look good at guard, and is worse this year, but every time he steps in the middle he seems to have total control. The superbowl was probably his best start yet

Should definitely be an option

[XxKnightxX]

I've been thinking that ever since they decided Legursky was their starter

Even those 4 games last year Legursky simply did not look good at guard, and is worse this year, but every time he steps in the middle he seems to have total control. The superbowl was probably his best start yet

Should definitely be an option

That wouldnt be a crazy idea at all. It will give us a good solid guy at center and a solid guard that can get out there like a fullback. At this time, any experiment would work.

[GoSlash27]

There's nothing wrong with Pouncey's play. He's just exposed because the rest of the line is so shitty.
/ relax, folks

[XxKnightxX]

There's nothing wrong with Pouncey's play. He's just exposed because the rest of the line is so shitty.
/ relax, folks

Yeah thats a given. But hypothetically speaking, Legursky is trouble at guard and Pouncey is a beast period. Wouldnt moving Legursky to C which he seems to do well at, and moving Pouncey to G , solidify 2 spots in a line which is just horrible at this time. I know its crazy, thats why im being hypothetical, but doesnt sound like a bad idea.

[Count Steeler]

Yeah thats a given. But hypothetically speaking, Legursky is trouble at guard and Pouncey is a beast period. Wouldnt moving Legursky to C which he seems to do well at, and moving Pouncey to G , solidify 2 spots in a line which is just horrible at this time. I know its crazy, thats why im being hypothetical, but doesnt sound like a bad idea.

I'd be willing to give it a shot for a game or 2. Can't be worse than what we have now.

[Craic]

There's nothing wrong with Pouncey's play. He's just exposed because the rest of the line is so shitty.
/ relax, folks

Compared to last year, there is. He is definitely not as sharp as he was last year. However, I tend to agree with the others and write it off to his ankle. That explains why he didn't any against Indy's NT.

[zulater]

Compared to last year, there is. He is definitely not as sharp as he was last year. However, I tend to agree with the others and write it off to his ankle. That explains why he didn't any against Indy's NT.

So far into the 4th quarter, I've seen one breakdown on Pouncey's part. It did help lead to a sack so it can't be ignored. But I don't leave this game worried about Pouncey's play.

[zulater]

,,,,

[zulater]

Steelers 2nd possession after Texans take the lead.

1st and ten from Texan 10, no gain. Essex and Kemo to blame. Kemo pulled and whiffed on his assignment, Essex got abused and his man hit Moore two yards in the backfield. Pouncey great block.

[zulater]

wrong thread sorry

[zulater]

After seeing the entire game I'd give Pouncey a B-. He had a couple breakdowns late, but overall his level of play was high. A solid step in the right direction, but still not quite the dominating player we expect.

But I have no fear that's the Pouncey we'll soon be seeing.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

On the O line, you win some battles and you lose some. Pouncey seems to be losing more this season than last year, but I dont think that many of his opponents leave the game thinking they had an easy time with him.

IMO, you don't slump on the O line, you may be hampered by injuries or lose focus on technique at times. The kid is a keeper and you can lock him down for the next decade as the Steelers Center.

IMO, Legursky is overmatched by many and Foster is a better option, but getting a quality RG in the draft should be a priority next year in round 2 or 3. I think we need a NT or ILB in round 1.

[oneforthetoe]

On the O line, you win some battles and you lose some. Pouncey seems to be losing more this season than last year, but I dont think that many of his opponents leave the game thinking they had an easy time with him.

IMO, you don't slump on the O line, you may be hampered by injuries or lose focus on technique at times. The kid is a keeper and you can lock him down for the next decade as the Steelers Center.



IMO, Legursky is overmatched by many and Foster is a better option, but getting a quality RG in the draft should be a priority next year in round 2 or 3. I think we need a NT or ILB in round 1.

After watching Casey the first four games, I think they may have to go NT, if one is available.

[Godfather]

We needed Big Snack's successor a year or two ago. The reason the D-line is getting beat so badly is we're in the no man's land between the old guys' prime (which is over) and the young players' prime (which isn't here yet).

[Steeldude]

Yeah thats a given. But hypothetically speaking, Legursky is trouble at guard and Pouncey is a beast period. Wouldnt moving Legursky to C which he seems to do well at, and moving Pouncey to G , solidify 2 spots in a line which is just horrible at this time. I know its crazy, thats why im being hypothetical, but doesnt sound like a bad idea.

and the odd man out would be kemo, not foster.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

After watching Casey the first four games, I think they may have to go NT, if one is available.

Lots of talk of Ta-amu from Washington and if the season keeps going this way, we could be in position to draft him.

We needed Big Snack's successor a year or two ago. The reason the D-line is getting beat so badly is we're in the no man's land between the old guys' prime (which is over) and the young players' prime (which isn't here yet).

I was a big fan of Myron Pryor from Kentucky a couple years ago. He is in New England getting some reps I think and sadly was taken a couple picks after we took Ra Shon Harris. Would like to have seen some youth spell Hamp instead of Hoke. Still would like to see more of McClendon and less Hoke.

[Steeldude]

On the O line, you win some battles and you lose some. Pouncey seems to be losing more this season than last year, but I dont think that many of his opponents leave the game thinking they had an easy time with him.

IMO, you don't slump on the O line, you may be hampered by injuries or lose focus on technique at times. The kid is a keeper and you can lock him down for the next decade as the Steelers Center.

IMO, Legursky is overmatched by many and Foster is a better option, but getting a quality RG in the draft should be a priority next year in round 2 or 3. I think we need a NT or ILB in round 1.

what about a tackle? i would rather them move colon to G and draft a tackle

[oneforthetoe]

what about a tackle? i would rather them move colon to G and draft a tackle

If Colon comes back healthy next year I think that finally could be a real possibility, depending on how the Steelers see Gilbert's future. If they see Gilbert as a LT, then they might plug Colon back in at RT. If they see Gilbert as a RT, then maybe Colon goes to guard to team with Kemo or to replace him. (We do have some potential cap issues next year and I think Kemo is a FA after next season.) Remember, while Colon has had two major injuries costing him the last two seasons, he is only 28.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

what about a tackle? i would rather them move colon to G and draft a tackle

I think the steelers feel they have their future LT in Gilbert and Colon or Chris Scott at RT. I too think Colon could be a better guard, but after all these years it ain't happening.

[Texasteel]

I think the steelers feel they have their future LT in Gilbert and Colon or Chris Scott at RT. I too think Colon could be a better guard, but after all these years it ain't happening.

You and I have talked about moving Colon many times, I wish they would have done it a couple of years ago. Still at OT, or OG, I don't think we can count heavily on Colon anymore. I am watching a couple OTs, one NT, and a couple of ILB for the first round this year. I'm sure we will have many discussion on that in the coming months.