Good Wednesday to you Steelers fans.
If you asked me which of the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen would be the first (and probably only) to comment on ESPN’s Booger McFarland calling them “soft,” my money would have immediately gone to Maurkice Pouncey. The Pro Bowl center did not disappoint either.
Last night on ESPN Booger McFarland called the #Steelers offensive line “soft.”
Maurkice Pouncey didn’t like that, I guess. pic.twitter.com/vFDcBrwssE
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 15, 2020
Nothing hurts more than the truth and nothing in Pouncey’s retort suggests this take on the Steelers’ Offensive Line is wrong. Because it isn’t. McFarland is paid to give commentary and opinion. Sometimes he’s right and sometimes he’s wrong, that’s the nature of the business. In this particular case however, Booger is right on the nose (pun intended). You’ll notice Pouncey didn’t argue McFarland’s point. He didn’t say he was wrong or suggest that McFarland “didn’t know what he was talking about.” Instead, he went after Booger’s failed experience on Monday Night Football. Maybe, just maybe, if he and his fellow O-linemen went after defenses this way then there wouldn’t be a problem.
Steelers History
Gordon does a terrific job remembering where the great Super Bowl run of 2005 began. Check it out!
Tomlin Takes
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin held his weekly presser yesterday and it was pretty brief, just over ten minutes I believe. I couple of things I took from his comments… First, he’s clearly disappointed with his team being physically manhandled as they were on Sunday and I get that but this offensive line isn’t suddenly going to turn into the maulers of the 1970’s… If Jaylen Samuels is the answer at RB, especially on third downs then he damn well better improve on the blitz pickup. He stands there and takes the punishment of the oncoming rusher rather than delivering a blow himself… Tomlin wouldn’t say directly that Chase Claypool has hit the “rookie wall” but he certainly didn’t deny it. Regardless, you have to get him opportunities to touch the ball more often, it’s that simple.
Ben-Knee
You may recall earlier in the season down in Dallas when Ben Roethlisberger took a shot to his left knee. I’m told that it has not fully healed and likely won’t until he can get more rest. It’s not bad enough to sit him down but I believe it is hampering his throws. A quarterback’s plant leg, in this case with a right-handed QB it’s the left leg, is of vital importance in two key areas. First, to be able and willing to throw deep, the QB has to have the confidence that the leg is going to be able to firmly plant. All of that power being generated by the hips and shoulders moves quickly from back to front. If you don’t have a stable plant leg then you can’t put the power necessary on the ball. Secondly, on throws where you need to put some real zip on the ball, the plant leg has to be the foundation to support that power. It’s like a tower standing on four legs. If one is weakened then the balance of the entire tower is off.
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Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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