Kemoeatu demoted and Legursky made starter

[chenzzo]

Bouchette just tweeted this. What do you think? I think it gives us at least one less dumb penalty per game.

http://twitter.com/#!/EdBouchette

[slippy]

i was unhappy when Kemo reentered the starting lineup after his injury. this demotion is a few weeks late IMHO. glad to see tomlin taking a proactive approach. i love ward and hoke, but it's a win NOW (as in this week) league.

i think ward will have a big moment or three before the end of the year, but cotchery is only 30!

[86WARD]

Merry Thanksgiving to us!!!!

[tube517]

Merry Thanksgiving to us!!!!

[zulater]

i was unhappy when Kemo reentered the starting lineup after his injury. this demotion is a few weeks late IMHO. glad to see tomlin taking a proactive approach. i love ward and hoke, but it's a win NOW (as in this week) league.

i think ward will have a big moment or three before the end of the year, but cotchery is only 30!

Legursky was injured, so they really had no option but to start Kemo up until this last game.

And prior to the Bengal game Kemo had a couple acceptable games, not good games, but acceptable.

But Kemo stunk in the Bengals game. Not only was his pass blocking again below par, his run blocking was mediocre at best as well.

All that said I'm really not that enthused about Legursky starting. Doug gives you all he's got, and he's not going to beat you due to stupidity like Kemo often will./ But he's not all that good either. Neither is Foster for that matter ( though improving), the Steelers really need to upgrade themselves at guard next offseason.

By the way I love having Legursky on the roster, but as a sub for all three interior line positions.

[pepsyman1]

Legursky was injured, so they really had no option but to start Kemo up until this last game.

And prior to the Bengal game Kemo had a couple acceptable games, not good games, but acceptable.

But Kemo stunk in the Bengals game. Not only was his pass blocking again below par, his run blocking was mediocre at best as well.

All that said I'm really not that enthused about Legursky starting. Doug gives you all he's got, and he's not going to beat you due to stupidity like Kemo often will./ But he's not all that good either. Neither is Foster for that matter ( though improving), the Steelers really need to upgrade themselves at guard next offseason.

By the way I love having Legursky on the roster, but as a sub for all three interior line positions.

And as a fullback on 3rd and goal!

[7willBheaven]

In a way I'm shocked but yet not shocked on this move. I remember when Legs was starting while Kemo was out he did pretty good...much better than he did at RG. While I do not think he is the long term answer...I think he could finish the year better than Kemo would. His stupidity is what kills him...he's a big mauler looking guy...but just isnt too bright. He's had some awesome games over the last couple years...but he's WAY to up and down...and has become the weakest link on the OL at this point. And I too think that they should use a high draft pick on a new OG (particularly LG). Would I cut Kemo after the season? Maybe not...however if they keep him...they MUST restructure his deal...he's making almost 5 mil a year and if he's going to be a backup then he needs to make a whole lot less. Shoot i wouldnt mind seeing him at RG (his college position i think). But his knee issues worry me...so i dunno. Heres to Legs playing above where Kemo has been.

[Chidi29]

Zu basically said all that needed to be said.

Kemoeatu's struggles are well-doucmented but Legursky isn't exactly going to be a life saver either.

[slippy]

i'm not looking for spectacular splash plays from our o-line (aside from pouncy), just some solid consistant play. kemo does not provide that. legs is not great, but i'll take C to C+ on every play from the left guard.

[tube517]

Zu basically said all that needed to be said.

Kemoeatu's struggles are well-doucmented but Legursky isn't exactly going to be a life saver either.

We don't need lifesavers but we don't need drive killers like Kemo's dumb penalties. The Big Legursky is a solid backup but definitely not a full time starter.

I am wondering if Kemo is gone next year.

[st33lersguy]

Glad to see we do not have to put up with Chris Kemo hitting people late and costing the Steelers 15 yards

[Chidi29]

We don't need lifesavers but we don't need drive killers like Kemo's dumb penalties. The Big Legursky is a solid backup but definitely not a full time starter.

I am wondering if Kemo is gone next year.

My bigger issue with Kemoeatu aren't actually the penalties. It's his trouble, really incomptency, in pass protection. Legursky really won't be much of an upgrade there though he is moe fundamentally sound. He's just so limited moving laterally and his short arms allow DTs to get into his body too easy.

[The Duke]

awesome news!

good for Leg too

[steelreserve]

Kemo's play has been far from the worst I've seen out of our offensive line in recent years. But not good enough to put him above competition either, even among this group. Like someone else said, shocking but not shocking.

[oneforthetoe]

We don't need lifesavers but we don't need drive killers like Kemo's dumb penalties. The Big Legursky is a solid backup but definitely not a full time starter.

I am wondering if Kemo is gone next year.

I think he will be gone next year. The question is who replaces him? Leg is not the answer. If the Steelers trusted Colon's health. next year really would be the year to finally move him to guard. Guard is also one of the few positions where a rook can probably start for the Steelers.

[steelerdude15]

I think he will be gone next year. The question is who replaces him? Leg is not the answer. If the Steelers trusted Colon's health. next year really would be the year to finally move him to guard. Guard is also one of the few positions where a rook can probably start for the Steelers.

I hope the Steelers draft a guard next year.

[steel striker]

There was a time I thought Kemo was going to be a big part of the o-line til this year's performance. I thought he was a good run blocker but, need work in the passing game. Like mentioned above too many stupid flags as well.

[SteelerEmpire]

Now maybe Kemo-eat-u will start taking his job seriously.

[BigNastyDefense]

At least there won't be any more dumb penalties. He seems to account for at least 4 person foul penalties a season, not to mention multiple false starts. He's often an excellent run blocker, but he's never developed much as a pass blocker.

When it comes to play on the field, I don't think there is going to be much upgrade if any in Legursky. However we get a smart player who won't have the dumb personal foul or false start penalties.

Hopefully in the first or second round we get a guard. I would love to see that guard from Georgia on the interior of our offensive line.

[Steeldude]

i agree with this move, but it doesn't solve the guard problems for the future. legursky is a work horse and an intelligent player, but i feel he is better suited as a backup than a full-time starter. either way i hope he destroys the DL.

[Austin87]

I think Kemo is gone next year, I actually hope they give him a look at RG. He should be better suited there.

I love that Legursky is starting, but I have to agree with you all. He isn't really starter material.

[ALLD]

Why are we still talking about fixing the OL, since Fanacea left? This problem must be addressed in the iff-season.

[86WARD]

One less Offensive penalty a game...I'll take it...lol.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Is he gonna see Glenn Dorsey across from him most of the game? My biggest problem with Legursky is that he doesnt get much push in the run game. He generally stalemates the D Lineman or gets pushed into the backfield. Not a bug fan of the move, but Kemo has been playing sub par for sure.

[GBMelBlount]

i agree with this move, but it doesn't solve the guard problems for the future. legursky is a work horse and an intelligent player, but i feel he is better suited as a backup than a full-time starter. either way i hope he destroys the DL.

I love Legursky's attitude. He works very hard and has improved and I feel in another year or two he could be a satisfactory starter.

[zulater]

I love Legursky's attitude. He works very hard and has improved and I feel in another year or two he could be a satisfactory starter.

You can't teach size and athletic ability. Doug's ceiling is that of a mediocre to lower tier starter imo.

[GBMelBlount]

You can't teach size and athletic ability. Doug's ceiling is that of a mediocre to lower tier starter imo.

...and you can't always motivate those with size and athletic ability. We could debate gentetics vs. heart all day long with no clear cut winner.

Is Legursky what I would IDEALLY like for our starting line right now. No. But he is young and has upside IMO and with how little attention we have paid to the line in the last 5 years I am happy with "mediocre" and "satisfactory" at this moment as compared to how our offensive looked when the season began.

That's all.

[Chidi29]

Legursky doesn't have upside. He has been around long enough for the team and fans to see what kind of player he is. He's a valuable swingman and capable of making a spot start, but put him in a starting position over a period of time, and you start to see his flaws.

[zulater]

Legursky doesn't have upside. He has been around long enough for the team and fans to see what kind of player he is. He's a valuable swingman and capable of making a spot start, but put him in a starting position over a period of time, and you start to see his flaws.

Our opponents certainly will. When you have more film on a player, know he's going to start, his weaknesses will be exposed and exploited, and usually at the worst possible times. No one game plans a reserve. That's why a back up will often outperform a starter in a relief role.

[Chidi29]

Our opponents certainly will. When you have more film on a player, know he's going to start, his weaknesses will be exposed and exploited, and usually at the worst possible times. No one game plans a reserve. That's why a back up will often outperform a starter in a relief role.

And now there's enough footage of Legursky from the past two years. So while he is coming in from a backup role, it won't be the same situation from last year.