Conner vs Bell

[Jobu]

Pretty sure a law limiting correctional and/or mental health facility internet access could put a stop to this.

It might put a stop to this site! We would lose about 65% of the posters...

Or 15% of the posters, with multiple screen names...

[Ice]

It's not that I'm not beginning to appreciate Strom's prose, by the way. He may be the William S. Burroughs of the jimson weed set.

[Steelafan77]

I am one that believes our O-line is quickly declining. Our super sub went to Cleveland. Gilbert I believe is in his last season, I think the Steelers will move on from after this season. Be it by trade or just cutting him I think he is playing his last season, his dead cap hit for 2019 would only be some $900,000. Colbert might be able to trade him. I think the Steelers are tired of his injuries and the PED suspension and him grumbling about wanting more money.

Foster is not the same, the player being groomed to replace him, BJ Finney, is not going to be an answer, I think he is strictly a backup. Pouncey is getting pushed around more and more in pass protection. Big Al too often to my eye gets pushed around too, and he is not that good of a run blocker. Munchak is doing the best he can with what he has, but he needs some high draft picks to rebuild this line. Chuks was a great start to that goal, they need to spend a 1st or 2nd soon to continue the reconstruction of our O-line.

I think that DeCastro and the rookie Chuks are the two building blocks that we have for a great line but the other 3 players will need replacing and you may see 2 of those 3 players gone by 2020.

Even if Bell had signed that $70 million contract he would be struggling behind this O-line. I know that I have been dissing Bell for declining but the O-line has played its part too.

I am amazed that more people are not critical of this O-line. I don't think that Big Al was a Pro Bowler last season, I think that he was a popular, feel good, PR vote. I don't think of him as an elite LT who can shut down a top pass rusher. Pouncey, when he doesn't have DeCastro next to him, man he looks very, very ordinary, looks and plays like a JAG.

I was under the impression Hawkins was that heir apparent for Gilbert. But he too has many durability questions looming. Chuks is still very raw and developing but that said I think Okorafor is the answer at LT once Villanueva is gone. I think Finney is as serviceable as Foster has been his entire career. In fact I think Finney is a better all around blocking guard than Foster on his best day. Finney being back up for multiple positions on the line hasn't done him any real favors refining his craft at LG. Once Finney is allowed to settle in at LG I think he shows as a better guard going forward. JMO

If Hawkins isn't the next candidate for RT I expect Banner is. That would leave Feiler and Finney at backup guards as you stated Scunge. Feiler scared the shit out of me at RT vs the bucs. I thought he might get Ben killed. Feiler could be a backup at interior OLine but he is certainly a stretch playing outside. So that said I think they have their replacements on the roster already for both Gilbert and Foster. I will add with little drop off.