Harris: Steelers delay youth movement

July 31, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
By Tribune-Review


When the Steelers parted ways with iconic linebacker Joey Porter following the 2006 season, a year before his contact ended, they had James Harrison to replace him.

A year later, fellow outside linebacker Clark Haggans met with the same fate because the Steelers had LaMarr Woodley to take over. When the Steelers allowed Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to become a free agent that same year, they did so because they had Chris Kemoeatu to supplant him.

The tide has turned. With more veterans sticking around, some of the Steelers younger players — some, not all of them — either aren’t ready or aren’t starting when their number has been called such Harrison, Woodley and Kemoeatu did. As a result, the Steelers are keeping some of their veterans longer in key roles.

If you can believe it, Porter once was considered too old — and too expensive — at 29. Now he’d be one of the Steelers’ youngest defensive starters. Faneca was 30 when he left the Steelers — a virtual graybeard, to hear some tell it. This year the Steelers will have nine starters 30 and older, if Max Starks opens the season at left tackle.

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Older players (injury prone some of them) also mean that the Steelers risk losing key players as the season pushes on. The key to success this year is to make sure that the younger guys know their roles, know their position, and can come in without missing a step during the game.

stlrtruck wrote:

Older players (injury prone some of them) also mean that the Steelers risk losing key players as the season pushes on. The key to success this year is to make sure that the younger guys know their roles, know their position, and can come in without missing a step during the game.

Absolutely. I'd love to see some of the younger guys start to shoulder more of the burden this year to keep our vets fresh come playoff time when we need their experience the most. If they could be spelled more often with the youngsters, they'll be ready and more productive when the games matter the most.