Steelers build offensive line of the future

Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com

LATROBE – Willie Colon wasted no time setting the tone for the new and improved offensive line. On the first snap of team drills in the Steelers’ first practice in pads, he leveled a linebacker with a hit that nearly triggered a brawl.

Several players had to be separated after Colon, who’s now a left guard, put Lawrence Timmons on his back on a running play Saturday afternoon.

When asked why Colon was so fired up, coach Mike Tomlin said “Life … I don’t know … he’s a good player.”

At 29, Colon will be the elder statesmen on the O-line in years to come. As he makes a position change, he’s still the mean, nasty brawler he was at right tackle. He’s going to fit right in with the young, talented bucks on an offensive with such a high pedigree.

It may happen at some point this year, or it may have to wait until next year, but one day in the not-too-distant future, the Steelers will have an offensive line that includes Colon, two first-round draft picks and two second-round picks.

Few teams in the league have invested as many premium draft picks on the O-line.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/steelers-build-offensive-line-of-the-future/article_8bdf4764-d117-5ffa-aac7-a7945662c357.html
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OK, I admit it ... I was ready for them to kick Colon to the curb last season. As usual, it's better when they do the opposite of what I think is best.

Gilbert is sort of really getting overlooked with the crop of everybody else involved, but he's going to be critical, especially if the Steelers continue to be a right-handed running team (although with DeCastro as a RG they shouldn't be nearly as one-handed). I love hearing him say he desires to be the best at his position. I want him shooting for Pro Bowls, All-Pros. I want him thinking he deserves the left tackle spot because he's better than Mike Adams.

But I want him to have amnesia when his contract is up.

Dodens Grav wrote:

Gilbert is sort of really getting overlooked with the crop of everybody else involved, but he's going to be critical, especially if the Steelers continue to be a right-handed running team (although with DeCastro as a RG they shouldn't be nearly as one-handed). I love hearing him say he desires to be the best at his position. I want him shooting for Pro Bowls, All-Pros. I want him thinking he deserves the left tackle spot because he's better than Mike Adams.

But I want him to have amnesia when his contract is up.

That's a good point. Gilbert is kind of the forgotten man on the line. That says a lot.

RoethlisbergersLG78 wrote:

That sums it up pretty well.

I can't WAIT for Steeler football!

RoethlisbergersLG78 wrote:

I can't WAIT for Steeler football!

Well, you're in the right place then. We've got plenty of conversations here (Steelers and even non-Steelers) to help pass the time until September 9th.

RoethlisbergersLG78 wrote:

I can't WAIT for Steeler football!

You and me both, brother! :helmet:


We should come up with a nickname for Willie. Something like.... "Colon Cleanser".

Buddha Bus wrote:

RoethlisbergersLG78 wrote:

I can't WAIT for Steeler football!

You and me both, brother! :helmet:


We should come up with a nickname for Willie. Something like.... "Colon Cleanser".

Colon Blocker

Colon Evacuator?

Man there's a lot of shit in here.

effyou515 wrote:

Man there's a lot of shit in here.

Colonoscopy.

RoethlisbergersLG78 wrote:

Colonoscopy.

You're clearly in direction violation of our rules against curse words

bayz101 wrote:

RoethlisbergersLG78 wrote:

Colonoscopy.

You're clearly in direction violation of our rules against curse words

I know cross-forum discussions are sort of a no-no, but I'm curious what other people think. A certain unnamed person on a certain unnamed forum repeatedly insists that the Steelers still seriously lack o-line depth despite the fact that their 2012 depth is basically their 2011 starters. I'm of the opinion (albeit with fairly little study) that the Steelers are in an enviable depth situation with Max Starks, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Trai Essex, and/or possibly Kelvin Beachum (of whom I've read nothing but good things so far). So the question is: is this good, or are the Steelers still lacking in depth? It should be noted that nobody was interested in Essex, nor Foster and Legursky despite having tenders on them that would not have required any forfeiture of picks, although allegedly there was some interest in Max Starks.

Dodens Grav wrote:

I know cross-forum discussions are sort of a no-no, but I'm curious what other people think. A certain unnamed person on a certain unnamed forum repeatedly insists that the Steelers still seriously lack o-line depth despite the fact that their 2012 depth is basically their 2011 starters. I'm of the opinion (albeit with fairly little study) that the Steelers are in an enviable depth situation with Max Starks, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Trai Essex, and/or possibly Kelvin Beachum (of whom I've read nothing but good things so far). So the question is: is this good, or are the Steelers still lacking in depth? It should be noted that nobody was interested in Essex, nor Foster and Legursky despite having tenders on them that would not have required any forfeiture of picks, although allegedly there was some interest in Max Starks.

I'm not sure how anyone could say that we don't have solid O-line depth. Although I wouldn't want Essex, Foster, and Legurky all in at the same time, we're fine if one of them has to play. Right now, our depth might be better on the O-line than anywhere else on the team.

Wallace108 wrote:

Dodens Grav wrote:

I know cross-forum discussions are sort of a no-no, but I'm curious what other people think. A certain unnamed person on a certain unnamed forum repeatedly insists that the Steelers still seriously lack o-line depth despite the fact that their 2012 depth is basically their 2011 starters. I'm of the opinion (albeit with fairly little study) that the Steelers are in an enviable depth situation with Max Starks, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Trai Essex, and/or possibly Kelvin Beachum (of whom I've read nothing but good things so far). So the question is: is this good, or are the Steelers still lacking in depth? It should be noted that nobody was interested in Essex, nor Foster and Legursky despite having tenders on them that would not have required any forfeiture of picks, although allegedly there was some interest in Max Starks.

I'm not sure how anyone could say that we don't have solid O-line depth. Although I wouldn't want Essex, Foster, and Legurky all in at the same time, we're fine if one of them has to play. Right now, our depth might be better on the O-line than anywhere else on the team.

the Steelers back up linemen with starting experience which imo is good depth on the o-line. they can come into a game at anytime and know whats going on.

effyou515 wrote:

Wallace108 wrote:

Dodens Grav wrote:

I know cross-forum discussions are sort of a no-no, but I'm curious what other people think. A certain unnamed person on a certain unnamed forum repeatedly insists that the Steelers still seriously lack o-line depth despite the fact that their 2012 depth is basically their 2011 starters. I'm of the opinion (albeit with fairly little study) that the Steelers are in an enviable depth situation with Max Starks, Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, Trai Essex, and/or possibly Kelvin Beachum (of whom I've read nothing but good things so far). So the question is: is this good, or are the Steelers still lacking in depth? It should be noted that nobody was interested in Essex, nor Foster and Legursky despite having tenders on them that would not have required any forfeiture of picks, although allegedly there was some interest in Max Starks.

I'm not sure how anyone could say that we don't have solid O-line depth. Although I wouldn't want Essex, Foster, and Legurky all in at the same time, we're fine if one of them has to play. Right now, our depth might be better on the O-line than anywhere else on the team.

the Steelers back up linemen with starting experience which imo is good depth on the o-line. they can come into a game at anytime and know whats going on.

We got two of the best lineman's available in the draft in the first two rounds, and picked up another later on. Our depth is GREAT, and veteran depth is even GREATER.