There’s an old saying in football that suggests a team will often see its biggest improvement from week one to week two. No other period of the season sees quite the same level of progress. If that is accurate then the offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers needs to show it.
In reality, the floor is pretty low. Too harsh you say? I speak in truths. This unit – while there were some positive moments – largely stunk in New York. 53 yards rushing for an average of 2.7 yards per carry is brutal. Credit to the Jets because they do have some talent up front but come on. Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times and was hit another half dozen. He’s closing in on 42 years old and a formula like that doesn’t bode well for his long-term prospects.
While Rodgers took the blame for “stepping into” one of those sacks, that doesn’t take away from the poor performance by his protectors. The communication issues seem to still persist and there doesn’t seem to be an answer for those. Now, here comes Mike McDonald, no, not the singer from the Doobie Brothers. This Mike McDonald is a mad scientist when it comes to defensive fronts and bringing pressure from strange places. It will be quite a chess match to see how Pat Meyer responds.
Speaking of Meyer, the Steelers’ Offensive Line Coach, one has to think this year is it for him. For all the bashing fans do of the players on the OL Meyer should be at the front of that line. This unit has been together for long enough to be better than what they’ve shown. When you see guys making the same mistakes each week doesn’t coaching or lack thereof come into play?
While much of the focus has been on Broderick Jones, he isn’t the only issue. There isn’t a guy on the line who can honestly claim to have had a “good day” on Sunday. What is most troubling is that there is talent there. Two first round tackles. A second round center. A Super Bowl Champion left guard and a fourth rounder at right guard who could play The Hulk when his career is over.
When does Mike Tomlin finally see enough? When does he realize that just maybe, Meyer isn’t the guy anymore? I’m not suggesting he change on the fly because it has been just one game but how much more does Coach T need to see in terms of the long-term?
Poor running attacks and iffy pass protection aren’t all on the O-Line. The QB and the running backs also play a part in this. Therefore, we can’t pin everything on the guys up front. In this business however, that’s where the focus is and it should be. It’s time to get more from this group and it has to start Sunday. If there isn’t any improvement then it’s going to be a long season.
