Steelers Offensive Line Slowly Becoming A Strength

Maurkice Pouncey (#53) and Willie Colon (#74)
Have Anchored the OLine This Year

- Chris Haney (@CHaney43)

I know it's been awhile since I've contributed to Jeff's site, but I am back with a new post, and of course I have to write about the Steelers' hogs up front. Being a former offensive lineman in my old High School playing days, I find myself watching the match ups in the trenches more than anything else. To me the offensive line has been OK all year...but just OK.  The scary thing is simply that even though the Line is "Okay" this year it is a definite improvement from last year! But in the last 2 games, that group of "misfits" looked like they were on a mission. Let's put the hogs in the spot light for a little bit.

Willie Colon has taken over as the leader on the OLine and he seems to be one pissed off beast, and you would have to be crazy to get in his way. I think he is really coming into his own this year, could it be the move to guard? I think it's quite possible. He is a very athletic big man, and I applaud the move the coaching staff made in training camp.  It isn't everyday that a coaching staff can say, "Lets take a guy from Tackle and move him to Guard."  It seems to have been working so far...

Depth on the OLine has been a pleasant surprise so far as well.  Doug Legursky really stepped up as the anchor for the offensive line last week, but as great as he played you can't match having Pouncey playing in front of Ben.  Pouncey is a difference maker and he was another big factor today. If you watched the direct snap to Chris Rainey, Pouncey was quick to pull to the right to throw some blocks for his former high school teammate.  Its that kind of athleticism that is rare for NFL centers.  To me his quickness from the center position is simply amazing. I guess this is why the Steelers switch centers about as often as head coaches. Pouncey is a young leader that this offensive line really needs.

Watching the entire offensive line vs the Redskins was great today. You could tell they were out there looking for blood. That they wanted to make a statement.  The run blocking was outstanding!  There were some holes you could drive a Mack truck through and still have space to spare. All those running lanes are huge, but to me the biggest statistic of the day is 0 sacks on Ben, for the second time this year. If the Steelers want to continue to win, they must keep Ben off of his back. As a Steeler fan, I love seeing a goose egg in that category.

Let's hope the hogs up front continue to show up again and keep the Steelers winning, and stay in contention for the AFC North!!