Who is our best OLman?

[POP]

Not who you think. Pouncy? No. DD? No. Try Beachum, according to this. I knew he was far better than Adams and Gilbert, but I certainly didn't think he was our highest-graded OL over all. It turns out what I thought was true is: He isn't considered big enough to make for a good LT but his large backside, work ethic, technique and drive make him an overachiever. I, for one, is glad we have him. Where would we be without him? Adams at LT? Nightmarish scenario. Face it: Those who thought drafting Adams and Gilbert in the 2nd round screwed up royally, but who ever pushed for drafting Beachum in the 7th round deserves a pay raise. If you watch him,he gives full effort every play, and doesn't get lazy like Adams and Gilbert. He is feisty and we need that tude on the OL. I am pleased to read how he was so upset about his holding call took back a TD that he had to be consoled by coach Munchak after the game. I want OLman (and players) who care that much. All the talent in the world doesn't matter if a player doesn't give max effort. This guy does. He might be shorter and smaller than the ideal LT, but I will take the scrappy guy who really cares over a 6-6, 330 lber who can't be bothered to give us his best effort. Beachum will fight out there. Hines Ward was too slow and small to become a big time WR, but his drive made the difference. Greg Lloyd was far too small to become a top OLB.

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dfzZT?...m=newsletter&utm_campaign=pittsburgh-steelers

By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
He’s too short, he’s too light, he was a throwaway draft pick.

And Kelvin Beachum has been the highest-graded Steelers offensive lineman this season — by far.

Teams scour the college football earth hunting for what they consider the second-most important position on offense, that of left tackle. They hardly ever let a good one go in free agency, showering him with money to stay and keep their quarterback warm.

The Steelers found theirs in the last round of the 2012 draft — the sixth pick from the bottom — at SMU, a school that no longer produces many top picks. Their choice of Beachum was such an after-thought they revealed quickly that they drafted him as a guard.

 

[Hineswardkickedurpanzyass]

Give me a guy with desire, heart, and a great work ethic any day of the week over a prima donna guy that may have the prototypical size for a position. Our Oline has been a pleasant surprise to me (most Sundays).

 

[Wingman]

I understand there are differences of opinion. One guy whose opinion I think carries more weight than the sports reporters is Tunch Ilkin. He played left tackle and has conducted training seminars for other teams lineman, and is one of the first guys to use hand fighting techniques in the modern way. He said Pouncey was our best linemen during the show on Steelers live yesterday. My pick would have been DeCastro as our best lineman. I am pleased that Beachum is considered to be such a talent though I would love to upgrade left tackle and slide him to guard. The positive thing from this would mean 3 out of the 5 are at least good.

 

[POP]

Give me a guy with desire, heart, and a great work ethic any day of the week over a prima donna guy that may have the prototypical size for a position. Our Oline has been a pleasant surprise to me (most Sundays).

Yup, just like your namesake. Desire means everything in football, as much as any other sport. That is why when teams don't give full effort, they get blown out.

I understand there are differences of opinion. One guy whose opinion I think carries more weight than the sports reporters is Tunch Ilkin. He played left tackle and has conducted training seminars for other teams lineman, and is one of the first guys to use hand fighting techniques in the modern way. He said Pouncey was our best linemen during the show on Steelers live yesterday. My pick would have been DeCastro as our best lineman. I am pleased that Beachum is considered to be such a talent though I would love to upgrade left tackle and slide him to guard. The positive thing from this would mean 3 out of the 5 are at least good.

I don't feel qualified to know who our best OLman is, but I do at least know who suck (Adams and Gilbert). I am hoping we AT LEAST upgrade RT and improve depth next year. An upgrade at LT and LG would be nice, but not the most glaring spots this team needs to address. If we merely upgraded 1 spot and improved depth by next year, I would accept it. Foster isn't top shelf but can be serviceable and - like Beachum - seems to give full effort.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Beachum, DeCastro, and Pouncey are fine. It's the other two positions that are shaky. Something about chains and weakest links, although Munch is only in his first season as OL coach so they may get better.

 

[SteelerFan448]

That's great that Beachum is the highest rated on PFF and I'm glad that he has had so much success this year, but he doesn't pass the eye test as the top lineman on the team.

 

[obxsteeler]

That's great that Beachum is the highest rated on PFF and I'm glad that he has had so much success this year, but he doesn't pass the eye test as the top lineman on the team.

Might depend on who's eyes you're talking about.

 

[ianv2012]

Might depend on who's eyes you're talking about.

Lol, right? The whole thread is about how Beachum doesn't pass the eye test, but he gets it done. I love Beachum, just brings his lunch pail to work and does his job, no complaints. Honestly an eye test for O-line on the Steelers, I always count how many times I've had to scream at them through the TV during the season. Haven't really done that much for Beachum this year, but that's just me.

 

[steel dino]

I have to say DeCastro...

His pulling when they call "Georgia" to the left, has been the Steelers best play offensively this season.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Beachum is heads and shoulders above foster. Where does that put Gilbert and Adams? Like said, Munch might turn these (adams / gilbert / foster) guys around some and make them a little better. We do need an upgrade, weather by self improvement of coachable / play, or draft / FA. Nice to know the arrow is pointing up, so to say.



Salute the nation

 

[Rod Farva]

Lol, right? The whole thread is about how Beachum doesn't pass the eye test, but he gets it done. I love Beachum, just brings his lunch pail to work and does his job, no complaints. Honestly an eye test for O-line on the Steelers, I always count how many times I've had to scream at them through the TV during the season. Haven't really done that much for Beachum this year, but that's just me.

That'd be Gilbert's role.......

Love Beachum's attitude and effort. Someone once said "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" or words to that effect.

I have to say DeCastro...

His pulling when they call "Georgia" to the left, has been the Steelers best play offensively this season.

BMTI....he's definitely come into his own this year.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Might depend on who's eyes you're talking about.

Six penalties and seven sacks allowed, worst among the starting five linemen.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

All this thread tells me is that we really need to upgrade Foster, I would say Gilbert too but with the recent extension the coaching/FO obviously like him.

Foster would be a good interior swing man but he is the weak link as a starter. The recent crying/fighting with Geathers about him practicing too hard really was the last bit I needed to solidify my opinion that he needs to be upgraded.

 

[slashsteel]

For me besides TE the upgrading is needed more at CB/FS/OLBer

 

[Vader]

DeCastro is great at pulling and blocking a LB or DB in the hole. However the Steelers can't run to the right side. I know Adams and Gilbert suck but they can't run off right guard either. They've become almost entirely a left running team. When you look at the stats they've had single digit yards rushing right in some games.

 

[Punxsutawney]

DeCastro is great at pulling and blocking a LB or DB in the hole. However the Steelers can't run to the right side. I know Adams and Gilbert suck but they can't run off right guard either. They've become almost entirely a left running team. When you look at the stats they've had single digit yards rushing right in some games.

Decastro, as well as Pouncey and Beachum, are more finesse blockers. They're not the type of lineman that are going to consistently move people at the point attack. They're actually better suited for the zone-blocking scheme that they recently scrapped, but Foster and Gilbert/Adams are not athletic enough for it.

 

[obxsteeler]

DeCastro is great at pulling and blocking a LB or DB in the hole. However the Steelers can't run to the right side. I know Adams and Gilbert suck but they can't run off right guard either. They've become almost entirely a left running team. When you look at the stats they've had single digit yards rushing right in some games.

That was probably why Lombardi never amounted to much. Almost exclusively ran power sweep left. For heaven sake lets dwell a little on what has been a major improvement instead of nit picking.