Future Of Steelers Offensive Line Looks Bright

[Steeler Nation]

By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik*on Twitter SteelerNation.com   Is making claims after one game considered jumping to conclusions? Maybe. But I am doing it anyways! After the Pittsburgh Steelers victory in week two against the Denver Broncos, one thing was clear. That is that the right side of the Steelers offensive line (Kevin Dotson #69 and […]
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[SteelerFan448]

I like Dotson, but I'm concerned with the OL moving forward. Villanueva has been on the downward trend and is an UFA after the season. Feiler is a free agent as well. I'm not sold on Banner or Chucks as the long-term fixture at RT and who knows how much longer Pouncey will play. The OL was good because it was stacked with blue chip players and had the best position coach in the league. They don't have the same type of talent on this line anymore and it shows.

 

[Stryker]

I like Dotson, but I'm concerned with the OL moving forward. Villanueva has been on the downward trend and is an UFA after the season. Feiler is a free agent as well. I'm not sold on Banner or Chucks as the long-term fixture at RT and who knows how much longer Pouncey will play. The OL was good because it was stacked with blue chip players and had the best position coach in the league. They don't have the same type of talent on this line anymore and it shows.

I agree, But I'm happy Ben only has 3 sacks against. The line is doing pretty well in that regard. 2 100+ rushers in 2 games also shows they're doing well on the ground as well as in the air.

 

[Muddler]

One game is a very small sample size but after watching Chuks and Dotson hold the right side of the line down Sunday against the Donkeys, I feel better about the status of the line than I have since last season ended. Yeah, we still need some pieces but it doesn't look to me like we are going to need a "full rebuild" in the near future which is what I had originally feared.

 

[SteelerinMD]

So what happens this week? Ranger-Dot-Pouncey-DD-Feiler? With Chunks taking over for Banners 3 Tackle

 

[Coach]

I like Dotson, but I'm concerned with the OL moving forward. Villanueva has been on the downward trend and is an UFA after the season. Feiler is a free agent as well. I'm not sold on Banner or Chucks as the long-term fixture at RT and who knows how much longer Pouncey will play. The OL was good because it was stacked with blue chip players and had the best position coach in the league. They don't have the same type of talent on this line anymore and it shows.

100% correct. If we lose Villanueva, who else on this team can hold their own at left tackle? Pocuney's contract runs out in 2021, where his cap # is $14,475,500.00 He's not worth that amount. If cut next year, the Steelers would save
$8,000.000.00 in cap space.

For 2021 The Steelers are $26,804,219 OVER THE CAP. OUCH. How do the Rats look, well they have $52,333,667 in cap space, enough to do whatever they want.

​

It's a long shot to keep Big AL, and Feiler is likely gone. Do we really want to pay $14,475,500.00 to a center who's in decline?

https://overthecap.com/calculator/pittsburgh-steelers/

 

[Stryker]

100% correct. If we lose Villanueva, who else on this team can hold their own at left tackle? Pocuney's contract runs out in 2021, where his cap # is $14,475,500.00 He's not worth that amount. If cut next year, the Steelers would save
$8,000.000.00 in cap space.

For 2021 The Steelers are $26,804,219 OVER THE CAP. OUCH. How do the Rats look, well they have $52,333,667 in cap space, enough to do whatever they want.

​

It's a long shot to keep Big AL, and Feiler is likely gone. Do we really want to pay $14,475,500.00 to a center who's in decline?

https://overthecap.com/calculator/pittsburgh-steelers/

Chucks would move to LT in this alignment. You can't dump Pouncey with no one to replace him yet. DD is dumpable since Dotson is starter capable. You have to make moves to free up money, but still have talent behind them. No one is behind Pouncey. I think we may draft a C high next year.

 

[DesertSteel]

I agree. Right now is a good mix of young and vets. I think as the year goes on they will gel and we'll see better results from the running game.

 

[21STEELERS21]

Isn't Dotson the only one signed past 2021.

 

[Coach]

Chucks would move to LT in this alignment. You can't dump Pouncey with no one to replace him yet. DD is dumpable since Dotson is starter capable. You have to make moves to free up money, but still have talent behind them. No one is behind Pouncey. I think we may draft a C high next year.

We need Chucks to pan out. But asking him to play Left Tackle an unproven position for him is hoping for a bit too much.

DD is one of our best players, dumping him in favor of a rookie who played one game is crazy talk. I can't believe I read that. As for Pouncey, when he has been out, a guy off the street has taken the job twice and looked okay. B.J FInney was okay when called upon at Center too. Given his age and declining play combined with a high cap number, IMO Pouncey goes before DeCastro.

 

[Coach]

Isn't Dotson the only one signed past 2021.

Yes that is true. The Steelers are - $15,935371 as of today in cap space. And that is without giving out any rookie contracts. IMO in the next draft, the Steelers will need to focus on OL. A Tackle and Center should be priority in the 2021 draft.. DeCastro is worth a 3rd contract.

 

[Hines57]

I believe this conversation falls in the too early to tell category. Lets get a larger sampling of games before we anoint their brightness. That is no knock, but I want to see how they hold up (bad choice of words, har har) against elite competition.

 

[21STEELERS21]

They likely extend Ben, Decastro and Pouncey, which ends up freeing a lot of 2021 cap space.

 

[Stryker]

We need Chucks to pan out. But asking him to play Left Tackle an unproven position for him is hoping for a bit too much.

DD is one of our best players, dumping him in favor of a rookie who played one game is crazy talk. I can't believe I read that. As for Pouncey, when he has been out, a guy off the street has taken the job twice and looked okay. B.J FInney was okay when called upon at Center too. Given his age and declining play combined with a high cap number, IMO Pouncey goes before DeCastro.

Chukes is the backup swing tackle. He's been taking snaps at LT and RT since he's been in the league.

 

[Stryker]

They likely extend Ben, Decastro and Pouncey, which ends up freeing a lot of 2021 cap space.

Honestly, I think Pouncey is close to retirement.

 

[Hoot]

Honestly, I think Pouncey is close to retirement.

I do believe he will be true to his word and ride out with Ben.
DD could retire too. He's been a rock for a long time now, but you never know.