Steelers offensive line gets spark from Colon, Adams
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line has continued to be a concern this season. Many expected the help to come from the draft when the Steelers used their first two picks on linemen.
That was great in theory. The problem is that first-round pick David DeCastro was injured during a preseason game. He is still recovering and is expected to return late in the season.Luckily for Pittsburgh, when DeCastro went down they had a veteran who had already started many games at guard, Willie Colon.
The Steelers’ second-round pick, Mike Adams, just started his first game of the season last week in Cincinnati with Marcus Gilbert down due to injury.
October 7, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) leads the team onto the field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
Also hurt last week with injury was center Maurkice Pouncey. Doug Legursky earns his keep bouncing back from guard to center, although center is his natural position.
With Pouncey expected to return to the lineup this week some might think this will be the best the offensive line have looked all season. Mike Adams made his case for a starting role on the right side as he looked more natural.
The return of Pouncey isn’t the biggest factor this week. That award goes to Colon.
During camp this season the coaches couldn’t stop raving about Willie Colon and his fiery attitude. For the first time all season the fans got to see a glimpse of it against Cincinnati.
Colon buried Vontaze Burfict which led to a quick scrap. Burfict was planted on his back with Colon on top of him still trying to put him six feet under.
Offensive linemen don’t often get the accolades, but their own glory comes from “pancakes.”
No, Casey Hampton, not the food, but the kind of pancakes that you can’t wait to watch in the film room. It’s the only time that an offensive lineman relaxes during film. Every other play of the game they think they could have done more and usually the coach does, too.
Colon’s recent burst is the first time we have seen solid guard play since Alan Faneca left the team. The motivation given to his teammates was enough to spark their engines as well. Some of the players insinuated that moment could be the turning point for the team this season.
The cause of Colon’s fire allegedly came from one of the Bengals players pulling Willie’s hair.
Hair? Yes, a small detail can sometimes poke a sleeping bear; in this case it woke Colon up in a big way. Hopefully the Redskins do some hair pulling of their own this week and get the Steelers’ run game going in a big way.