by Neal Coolong on May 8, 2012 8:01 AM EDT
Many have checked in with Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey recently, and most noted Pouncey's statement he's full recovered from off-season ankle surgery. While it's not fair to suggest Pouncey's ankle is entering into "Fred Taylor's Groin" territory as the most injured anatomical piece of any NFL player, it was hurt enough last season Pouncey wasn't as effective as he was in his rookie campaign.
Fact is, though, Pouncey will return to the field at 100 percent for the first time since he was a rookie. With a reload among his battery mates, just how much of the upcoming 2012 season rests on Pouncey's broad shoulders?
Questions You'll Hear:
Is rookie OT Mike Adams a left or a right tackle?
That question isn't usually answered in a comparison. If you're athletic, long and have good hand placement, they're going to work you on the left side. If you're a grinder, have a nasty streak and can move guys around, but don't have that high-level athleticism, you're a right tackle.
Adams is going to get every look possible at left tackle, but it isn't likely, right now, the team will alter plans to move away from second-year man Marcus Gilbert. A fellow second-round pick, Gilbert did a decent job at right tackle last season, and the team said they're going to move him to left this year. Odds are, they'll stick with that plan while Adams gets some work in practice. Keep in mind, Gilbert would not have started last season without the injury to Willie Colon in Week 1.
Is this the end of Max Starks?
With Starks' injury in the Steelers playoff loss at Denver, and the selection of Adams, it isn't likely he'll be added to the training camp roster (to put it mildly). As has been the story the entire offseason, the contract situation of WR Mike Wallace is the big unknown, and in this case, it would be a determining factor in the amount of cap space the team will have to sign players during or around camp.
Veteran OL Trai Essex was signed to provide experience at multiple positions, and the same argument could be made in bringing Starks back, provided he can pass a physical. Colon has missed pretty much all of the last two years with injury, so Starks will likely stay on standby in the event one of those infamous Steelers offensive linemen injuries crop up. Colon has been absent for so long, it's left some in the national media forgetting he was the starting RT in both 2010 and 2011 before the injuries occurred.
Where will DeCastro play?
(read more)http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/5/8/3006718/steelers-2012-offensive-line-analysis-david-decastro-maurkice-pouncey-marcus-gilbert-willie-colon
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if he and colon can stay healthy that oline is gonna be a force to be reckoned with
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F@(k Wallace.. Throw it to Miller
