Is it luck or Munchak?

[deljzc]

Is Munchak doing something different with the offensive line to reduce injuries?


After struggling under Zeirlein, Kugler and Bicknell with injuries is this year just luck?

So far this season, through 11 games, we have had only THREE injuries on the offensive line that changed snap counts:

Game 2: Foster got hurt on the 2nd to last play of the game. He missed the two following games (weeks 3 and 4).

Game 3: Pouncey got hurt and was replaced for the last 7 snaps of the game. He returned the next game to start.

Game 7: Gilbert got hurt on the 19th play of the game. He missed the following game, then returned as the starter.


That record is a DRASTIC change from the last couple seasons when it seamed an offensive lineman went down every game at least once and the starting five was a rotating group. For example only 7 games out of 16 had the 5 starters start and finish the games. And of those 7 games, five of them were different groups. In 2012, only 8 of the 16 games had the same 5 guys for the entire game.

So not only have we had LESS game-day injuries, but they seem much less severe.

Is that coaching or just luck?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

My take is that all the OL injuries previously were simply bad luck.

 

[Superman]

good eyes, delz.
maybe we finally have an OL coach who can coach to these guys' abilities and not have them do things they're unfamiliar with or cannot do. the OL has gotten a lot better this season, it seems.

 

[strat68]

Just a guess, but this current crop does not appear to be a bunch of overweight, un-athletic looking bunch. Look back at Chris K, Willie Colon, etc. These guys look to be in better shap.

 

[Omar10213245]

Yeah I was thinking about that during the game Monday night..whatever they're doing, i pray they keep doing it

 

[thesteelcity]

maybe Munchak taught them not to go after an opposing player's knees because if they miss, you could roll over on your own teammate.

 

[insaniti]

I think it's a combination of both luck and Munch. A lot of the injuries we were getting were because players were getting pushed back and getting rolled up on. While there's still times when one of our guys gets bull rushed like Archer trying to block a DT, they are holding their blocks much better than in years past. This will directly lead to less players getting rolled up on.

 

[blitzburghv5]

Its just we had bad luck....when you have an Olineman take the knees of his teammate out, thats just ****** luck...while the injuries to Olinemen is down, its the opposite for our linebackers. I dont think we've had a game where all starting LBs (Worilds, Shazier, Timmons, Jones) have played together (maybe the opener).

 

[deljzc]

My opinion is it's a lot of coaching.

Anyone who coaches in the trenches knows you tell everyone to STAY OFF THE GROUND. I think we were asking unathletic lineman to zone block too much and that resulted in too many guys on the ground, where they subsequently got hurt.

We still have some issues during games of guys getting on the ground too much but it's better than it used to be and that is helping guys stay healthy.

I loved seeing us go back to the power and guard pulling blocking scheme we were famous for back in the Faneca days last week vs. Tennessee. I'm not saying the stretch zone stuff doesn't have it's place, but Munchak doesn't seem to want to throw the baby out with bathwater like some of his predecessors.

I think the max protect stuff is helping too.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Could be something as simple as working on the fundamentals. Pouncey, Foster and others have stated that Munch stresses the fundamentals more than the previous OL coaches.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I'm sure luck always has something to do with it, that said, don't sell short good coaching. Munchack is a very good coach and has these guys headed in the right direction. Some here are actually calling them good / better. They are, but still have a ways to go. Talent level is thier only hold back.



Salute the nation

 

[Wingman]

The best indicator was the line play of Tenn after he had left. Those guys did well against everything that was thrown their way. No sacks there were hurries and hits but they did well against a very hard rush all night. In the short time he has been here he has done much with our line, they are looking better than they have for a long time. They are executing blocks well for the most part. they still have a ways to go but I think they will be much better over time.

 

[Hines57]

When linemen are falling into other linemen that is just pure **** luck. It still happens in every game we just haven't had anyone go down hard. Its a part of football that will never go away

 

[steelerscotty]

Of course, if we come out of the bye and get hit with the injury bug, then its all del's fault for starting this thread!

 

[ark steel]

When linemen are falling into other linemen that is just pure **** luck. It still happens in every game we just haven't had anyone go down hard. Its a part of football that will never go away

I think there has been some **** luck, but what del is saying makes sense.

 

[bigtwnvin]

Mike Munchak is a technician, he is detail oriented and practices hard. I agree with a previous poster the O Line look to be in better shape and not a bunch of slobs that can't get out of their own way.
Hope the trend continues to improve and the men stay healthy.

 

[SteelerFan448]

It's some luck, but I credit coaching. They have better technique and are less prone to injuries as a result. Look at when DeCastro took out Pouncey last year. That was a direct result of coaching IMO, even though it was incredibly stupid by DeCastro. It was a technique implemented by the coach IIRC.

 

[steelpride]

Could be something as simple as working on the fundamentals. Pouncey, Foster and others have stated that Munch stresses the fundamentals more than the previous OL coaches.

What else is there to work on other than fundamentals and technique when you are talking Oline play .

 

[diver]

While I agree that a lot of it is coaching, I think something else is overlooked. Ben is improving in getting rid of the ball. I think that makes a difference. When the QB holds it too long and gets to running all over the place back there, **** gets tangled up.

 

[steelpride]

While I agree that a lot of it is coaching, I think something else is overlooked. Ben is improving in getting rid of the ball. I think that makes a difference. When the QB holds it too long and gets to running all over the place back there, **** gets tangled up.

Ben has been awful the last few games taking unecessary sacks by holding the ball too long, don't know what games you are watching.

 

[steelbush]

Just a guess, but this current crop does not appear to be a bunch of overweight, un-athletic looking bunch. Look back at Chris K, Willie Colon, etc. These guys look to be in better shap.

Not sure what OL your looking at, besides Pouncey and DeCastro our OL is blubbery and chunky and has stretches in games where they like look they never played before. Munchak I believe has gotten more out of this group than past coaches, no doubt, but we are far from in shape. Granted I know most OL's in the NFL have chubby guys up front. Look at Tyron Smith for Dallas...now that is a put together Olineman.

 

[diver]

Ben has been awful the last few games taking unecessary sacks by holding the ball too long, don't know what games you are watching.

Same games you are. Never said he was great, but he has shown some improvement. He did get it by about mid 3rd quarter in the game Monday night and I don't recall him getting hit after that. In the old days that maybe would not have happened.

So if they pass 35 times a game, instead of holding it forever for 25 of those throws he cuts it down to 18, that is 7 less times per game the lineman don't get all tangled up, don't have to hold their blocks as long and so on.