How Close We Are... V3

Oh boy.

Today I promised to talk about the offensive line.

I have put it off all day because I wanted some sort of good mood in this 24 hour span.
So here goes...

Currently the Steelers have 14 Offensive Linemen on their roster. And with the departure of Alan Faneca, things look bleak.
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Center:

...wow.

1) Justin Hartwig

- Hartwig was an addition made in the offseason via the Carolina Panthers. He is going to try to fill a legacy of strong Steeler Center play that was abandoned last season. The Steelers have had good luck in the middle, with players such as Dermonti Dawson and Jeff Hartings making the snaps. So it will be interesting to see how Hartwig can step up.
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Tackle:



1) Marvel Smith
2) Willie Colon
3) Max Starks
4) Tony Hills

- Marvel Smith seems to be the best lineman protecting Big Ben, which isn't too great. Smith had problems last season with a back injury and now the 2005 Pro Bowler will have to step it up even more, since he is the best player on the line.

- Willie Colon stepped in last season in place of an ineffective Max Starks, who is becoming even more of a bust every year. So the job may be up to Colon to hold down the right side of the line.

- Max Starks is one of the biggest questions going into this season. If he can play to his abilities, the O-Line may not be too bad. But he is in a fierce battle right now with Willie Colon, who replaced Starks last year. Starks needs to play with more intensity and stay out of injuries in order to play this season.

- The Steelers went into the draft looking for Linemen. They took a RB, WR and LB in the first 3 rounds. Then they selected Hills. Hills is a big body with good footwork who could fill in if there are any injuries. but most likely he will see a lot of bench this season and in the couple years to come.
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Guard:



1) Kendall Simmons
2) Chris Kemoeatu
3) Sean Mahan
4) Matt Lentz

- Simmons is the best guard on the team, which isn't too great. There were a lot of questions about his diagnosis of diabetes a couple years ago, but he seems to be handling it. He needs to pick up his play if he wants to be the anchor in this depleted O-Line.

- The fact that Kemoeatu is starting is depressing. This was Faneca's job and it wasn't replaced through free agency or the draft. So here we are with him starting this season it seems over Sean Mahan.

- Mahan could see time as a starter this season if Kemoeatu becomes ineffective, which is a possibility. He has the ability to play the Center position and has been the long snapper for a couple years now.

- I don't even know who Matt Lentz is. Sorry. Sue me.
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So that's all for the offense, starting tomorrow I will analyze the defensive line for the Steelers this season.