The Backbone Of the Steelers Offense Needs To Play Like It
Jul 27, 2023; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) works against offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The backbone to every offense is a solid offensive line. Head coach Mike Tomlin wants to win games by running the ball and playing great defense. While that style might be a little outdated in today’s NFL, it’s still effective when you have the proper pieces in place. Unfortunately as it sits, the Steelers offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL.
I’m going to spare you all the analytical nerd stats from places like Pro Football Focus. If you have seen the Steelers play, you know that the line has struggled mightily. From pass protection to run blocking, it’s been ugly.
It’s lazy to just call the line awful. I think it’s important to understand why they have been bad. It’s a collection of issues, so let’s dive in.
Offensive Philosophy
Some of it can be attributed to poor play calling and an understanding of what the line does best. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada seems hell bent on outside zone blocking schemes in the run game that just don’t fit this offensive line.
They brought in Isaac Seumalo from the Philadelphia Eagles where he was known as one of the most physical offensive guards in football. So what does Canada do, has him trying to reach block defensive 3 techniques versus coming off straight ahead using his power. He was a huge off season acquisition and he was not being utilized to his fullest potential.
When the line has had success this season, inside zones and down hill running with double teams at the point of attack have been successful. It seems old school but off tackle power still works. Against the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh exclusively used off tackle power and inside zone, and voila, they rushed for a season high of 166. Sometimes it really is checkers.
Too many times the line was overpowered at the point of attack and manhandled in pass protection. As a group, they are not the most athletic group, so they need the play calling to help them to be successful.
Personal Issues
If we are being honest, the Steelers don’t have the most talented line. But it can be serviceable if the proper pieces are in the correct position. Basically, get your best five on the field at let the chips fall where they may.
For that to happen, some people are going to be relegated to the bench. This appears to have started with rookie Broderick Jones taking over at right tackle for Chukwuma “Chuks” Okorafor versus the Titans. Jones put together a performance better than anything Chuks had done over the last 2 years.
Chuks is claiming it wasn’t a performance issue, it was more of a disciplinary issue.
Chukwuma Okorafor on why he was benched Thursday against the Titans: “The way the game was going last week, I kind of said stuff that I shouldn’t say. I just, being in Year-Six, I can’t like act out the way I was acting out.” #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/MYKdKPWKQW
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) November 3, 2023
But like I previously mentioned, we all watch the games. Chuks has been bad. Discipline or not, Jones should have the spot moving forward.
I had been in the camp of Jones starting at left tackle from day one and moving Dan Moore Jr over to right. But with the incredible athleticism that Jones possesses, he was able to make the move and make it look seamless so far.
We all love Mason Cole, but the center position must be addressed. He has taken a step back this season from a lackluster season in 2022. If it’s about the best 5 on the field, move right guard James Daniels to center, where he has experience, and slide Nate Herbig in at rightguard. It doesn’t eliminate all the issues, but this does get the best five on the field.
Moving Forward
With the trade deadline already passed, an influx of talents to the line won’t be possible. The Steelers had their opportunities to bring in a few free agents early in the season and choose to stand pat. So this is the Black and Gold’s line for the season.
One thing is for certain, Jones must be on the field. In his two starts this season, he has outplayed both Chuks and Moore Jr by a wide margin. Not having him in the lineup for the rest of the season would be criminal. Yet when Moore Jr came back from injury, he was inserted back in the line up, so who knows.
I won’t let one game fool me into thinking that the line has been fixed. Yes they were good against the Titans, but the previous seven games they were abysmal. But if given the right blocking schemes and a change to personnel, the Steelers can be a respectable offensive unit.
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