Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert anxious to be “left” in the zone

The roster losses for the Pittsburgh Steelers have been plentiful this offseason. From the “enforcer” James Harrison, to top wide receiver Mike Wallace, to 12-year starting nose tackle Casey Hampton, they have big shoes to fill.

Yet it’s the loss of a guy who the Steelers have repeatedly dropped and reluctantly resigned that they may miss the most. Former left tackle Max Starks was finally shown a non-revolving door at the end of the 2012 season. Starks will go from protecting Ben Roethlisberger to fellow 2004 draftee Phillip Rivers with the San Diego Chargers.

It’s a big gain for Rivers and the Chargers. By the end of 2012, injury-riddled San Diego was pulling free-agent offensive lineman off the street and starting them on Sunday. Starks has been dependable and mostly healthy throughout his eight seasons in Pittsburgh.

Starks was deemed expendable after the Steelers spent consecutive second-round picks on the tackle position: Marcus Gilbert (2011 – Florida) and Mike Adams (2012 – Ohio State). Starks was also not considered to be a good fit for the Steelers’ new zone-blocking scheme.

Jun 11, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen Marcus Gilbert (77) and Maurkice Pouncey (right) talk during minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After four days of training camp, it appears Gilbert has been chosen as the replacement plan at left tackle. Gilbert isn’t short on NFL experience — at right tackle. He took over as the starter early as a rookie and, by the numbers, played well.

In 15 starts, he ranked No. 14 in pass blocking, allowing just 21 total pressures on Roethlisberger in 450-plus snaps. He ranked just behind all-pro tackle Duane Brown of the Houston Texans.

Gilbert’s 2012 season was cut short by injuries. In his five starts, he did not allow any sacks. But his battle with weight and agility caused him to lose his footing too often, and with dire results. Both tight end David Johnson’s and guard David DeCastro’s knee injuries were caused when Gilbert was overpowered and fell on his unsuspecting teammates – not exactly the style of lineman wanted for a zone-blocking scheme.

Zone blocking requires faster, more athletic lineman to get out on the edges. His old Florida teammate Maurkice Pouncey reported Gilbert did what Steelers coaches asked of him this offseason. He said Gilbert came to camp lighter, in shape and focused. Gilbert did not exactly back him up when he collapsed after the Day 1 conditioning test. Gilbert said he cramped up after running sprints.

The Steelers are hoping Gilbert has come ready to play and stays healthy. After Gilbert, the likely starting tackle would be Kelvin Beachum, who is a better fit on the right side. There is not another true left tackle on the Steelers roster, outside of possibly Mike Adams who is busy learning the nuances of being a right tackle in the NFL.

There is no doubt Gilbert and the Steelers want (and need) him to be their left tackle. If he fails to meet expectations, the weight of offseason decisions may crush their Super Bowl dreams.