How To Fill the Hole While #72 Is Not Eligible

[Steeler Nation]

The Pittsburgh Steelers were dealt some tough news earlier this week with three key players landing on IR to start the season. Stephon Tuitt, Anthony McFarland and Zach Banner will miss at least the first three weeks of the season and each were poised to have big roles for the Steelers in 2021. The Steelers will likely be able to manage without Tuitt and McFarland, but Banner was slotted to start at right tackle and now there’s a large hole to fill on the offensive line.

The Steelers drafted Dan Moore Jr. in the fourth round this year, but it would sure be a tall task to ask Moore to produce consistently in the NFL with little experience right away. Luckily for the Steelers, there’s a free agent tackle on the market that could come in and fill the spot left by Banner and provide great depth when Banner is ready to come back – Russel Okung.






Okung has been a viable starter in the NFL since he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. Okung came in right away and showed that he could be a very serviceable tackle in the NFL and has made two Pro Bowls in his ten seasons. However, the big knock on Okung has been his inability to stay healthy. He has played in 16 games once in his entire career and has only suited up for 13 games over the last two seasons. Okung also hasn’t been at any teams’ training camp this season, so it would be hard to tell what kind of shape he is in.

Either way, Okung provides experience and accountability in the fact that you know what you are getting when you sign him. Okung has voiced his demand for a large contract, but his tune may have changed a bit after no one signed him during training camp and the NFL season only being a week away. The Steelers have nearly 16 million dollars in cap room, so money really is not an issue for them at this point, but you don’t want to overpay for a player that you aren’t going to necessarily need for all 17 games.






The Steelers are in a win now mode and without a starting right tackle, they could be in a bad position to start the season. A move is needed to bring in a dependable tackle with significant NFL experience and Okung would be an excellent fit until Banner is cleared to come back. If the Steelers don’t sign Okung, look for them to at least bring in a tackle with starting experience to push Moore and provide some serious depth at a position where they do not have much.



What free agent do you want the Steelers to bring in? Sound off in the comments below!

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[Black & Gold Bleeder]

point is,, were taking an aged QB into the season for an all or nothing,, and his blind side is protected by a 3rd rounder from western michigan. A project. Never seen time at LT. DIC is right, Moore might be our Best LT on the roster. This is my point. It's the weakest spot on the roster. Bens old and doesnt shed DLmen like he used to. Please tell me you havent pinned your hopes on Chukwama Okorafor (in my Col. Jessup voice). Please tell me you havent decided that the steelers have nothing more in the tank to show at LT than a 3rd round guy from western Michigan.. and that the hopes and dreams rest on the 1st year offensive coordinator and his first year O line coach dreaming up schemes to keep ben aloft.
Im an educated man but im afraid i cant speak intelligently about the personnel scheme of the Pittsburgh Steelers. What i do know is that their LT wasnt renewed and there isnt a legit tried and true LT slated to take his place.
Now, Is this really the question mark of the team i feel i was called here to answer? Centers and Guards? Please tell me that you have something more Steeler Nation. Big Ben, Number 7 is in the season of his life. Please tell me that his fans havent pinned his hopes on a guy from chicago named coward.

I feel that Big Bens life might be endangered, once the regular season got underway. Grave Danger?

For a 39 yr old QB., Is there any other kind?

Stop whistling past the grave yard.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Now it's on the 4th Rd rookie.

 

[stuntmanmike]

Seems pretty goofy that we go into this season so loaded up in some spots so weak in others. Secondary is one injury away from being a mess and the offensive line is a mess. its weird to be this close and be so thin at oline.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Now it's on the 4th Rd rookie.

Just for the record,.......... that 4th round rookie has a lot going for him in both ability and experience against some of the best college (I know not NFL) players. I don't think he is the weak link but also not a proven link either, on this offensive line.




Salute the nation

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Well it's not an ideal situation for him, or the offense. The post above the one you quoted is how I feel, ala jack Nicholson.

 

[SteelerSask2]

maybe his price has come down but Okung might not play for what they would pay. He's also a band aid with no training camp

 

[Litos]

Seems pretty goofy that we go into this season so loaded up in some spots so weak in others. Secondary is one injury away from being a mess and the offensive line is a mess. its weird to be this close and be so thin at oline.

The signing of Joseph (S) and witherspoon (CB) both with lots of starting experience calmed most of those worries for me. Now OLine isthe final and only question mark and it isn't only banner now at RT it's also being chuks at OT and green at C. So our only solid starters are a 2nd round kid (Dotson) and an ex pro bowler coming out of injuries (turner)

 

[Drink IRON City]

Well it's not an ideal situation for him, or the offense. The post above the one you quoted is how I feel, ala jack Nicholson.

I hear yaz B & G Bleeder. I pimped Moore so I hope he can succeeed but I also realize the mountain in front of him. We both want him to do super well because that benifits the team overall and that's what is important.

Time / play will tell the story but I think Dan Moore is our best current option.





Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

The signing of Joseph (S) and witherspoon (CB) both with lots of starting experience calmed most of those worries for me. Now OLine isthe final and only question mark and it isn't only banner now at RT it's also being chuks at OT and green at C. So our only solid starters are a 2nd round kid (Dotson) and an ex pro bowler coming out of injuries (turner)

FULLY agree Litos, they need a quality OL more specific Tackle. Time will tell and I think once TJ WATT's contract is signed & sealed........... that OL will be signed.





Salute the nation

 

[F83]

okunk is a finesse lt and like his chances at RT, go with moore he played vs big ncaa competition and is a mean old school OL