There have been excessive hopes for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line this yr, particularly after investing 5 draft picks during the last two years within the group. The road was anticipated to be younger, however the silver lining was that the 2 guard positions have been to be held down by the unit’s two most veteran gamers.
It doesn’t matter what configuration of tackles the Steelers used, there can be a veteran subsequent to every younger participant always. This helps with communication and making calls on the line so all people is aware of who they’re imagined to be blocking. It additionally helps to have a veteran working the silent rely. We now have seen the Steelers make some errors with untimely snaps this season.
Sadly, OG Isaac Seumalo suffered a pectoral damage the week earlier than the season started, and OG James Daniels exited in Week 4 with an ankle damage.
That made Dan Moore Jr., a fourth-year participant, probably the most veteran offensive linemen of the group for a lot of right this moment’s sport. The remainder of the road had simply 20 NFL begins among the many 4 of them coming into the week.
The group nonetheless has quite a lot of promise, however the rising pains confirmed within the worst approach in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. Look no additional than Najee Harris’ 19 yards on 13 carries or Justin Fields’ 4 sacks taken as proof of these struggles.
“That they had a free hitter each time, and we didn’t put palms on the fellows that we wanted to,” Najee Harris mentioned after the sport in a video on the Steelers’ YouTube channel.”
It’s all the time arduous to inform with offensive line play on the TV tape, however there did look like a number of blown assignments, each in run blocking and in move safety.
“Clearly the damage to JD [James Daniels] damage,” TE Pat Freiermuth mentioned after the Steelers’ 27-24 loss. “However they have been performing some issues schematically making an attempt to cease the run. Credit score to them, however we gotta be capable of adapt on the run and be capable of repair it.”
I believe there will likely be some tough blocking grades for many, if not all, of the Steelers’ offensive linemen. That’s the reason Seumalo can’t return quickly sufficient.
Not solely is Seumalo a veteran of the unit, he’s their greatest offensive lineman. Future Corridor of Famer Jason Kelce known as him the neatest participant he’s ever been round. It took Seumalo a bit to get getting into 2023, however as soon as he did, he was rock-solid.
The Steelers’ o-line desperately wants him again within the lineup. Luckily, he started working towards this previous week and all indicators level to him returning for Week 5 in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys. Hopefully Daniels can return quickly, too. If he does, the Steelers can have among the best inside trios within the NFL with Seumalo, C Zach Frazier, and Daniels.
