Offensive line needs adjusting

 

By A. D.

            Centuries ago ancient warriors would take to the battlegrounds to defend their territory against an enemy that was threatening to take over their land. In order to be successful the warriors needed to protect themselves and their generals - thus the infantry was crucial in defending their homeland. If the infantry failed then the battle would be lost and the land would fall to the enemy. Remember the film Braveheart? Instead of William Wallace trying to free Scotland from the tyranny of the British Monarchy, the Steelers are trying to stay alive in the playoff race.

            Today 100 yards of field is the battleground and instead of bloodthirsty men covered in war paint and wearing kilts combating for freedom we have uniformed professional athletes competing for bragging rights and the esteem of their respective city. When the Cincinnati Bengals, who are currently the top team in the AFC North, ride into Heinz Field on Sunday the Steelers will have a war on their hands.

            But what of the black and gold infantry, otherwise known as the offensive line? It is breaking down and has become the weakest part of the team. Tackle Marvel Smith had been sidelined with an ankle injury but returned to play against the Colts on Monday night. Smith, however, was injured in the second quarter of the game and is ruled out of this week’s game with another ankle injury.

            Right guard Kendall Simmons, in the game against Indianapolis, was called not once, not twice but three times for false start penalties. Right tackle Max Starks is playing his first season as a starter and rookie left tackle Trai Essex replaced the injured Smith but couldn’t help the offensive line anymore than if a fan had climbed out of the stands and played instead. Adding to the problem is the poor play of Pro Bowl linemen Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings.

            Last season, when the Steelers went 15-1, they were able to successfully run the ball for 61% of the total offensive plays and averaged 154 per game. Add two more yards to that average and that is the total number of rushing yards the Steelers had in the past two games combined. Running backs Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley have been unable to achieve their potential because of the o-line.

It is the job of the o-line to protect the quarterback from the opposing defense and to make openings and provide blocking for the ground game. If the Steelers, who are by nature a running team, can’t run the football then they cannot expect to retain their title of AFC North Champions. At least not with the 8-3 Bengals breathing down their necks. When asked by the media how the o-line is doing, head coach Bill Cowher had this to say, “…we are not playing to where we need to play and that is a challenge that we have. People right now are getting after us pretty good."

             The coaches have been kicking around some ideas about how to alleviate the obvious disaster at the line of scrimmage. Suggestions have been made to switch a couple of the linemen around, more specifically moving Hartings to right guard and placing Chukky Okobi at center. There is also a rumor circulating that Cowher could bring in rookie Chris Kemoeatu at right guard or have Barrett Brooks play at left tackle.  In any case changes will have to be made in order for the Steelers to make the playoffs.

            The Bengals are sporting an impressive offensive attack with running back Rudi Johnson, the other Johnson - wide receiver Chad and the captain Carson Palmer all playing to the height of the abilities. If the orange and black find a weakness they will capitalize on it. Better believe that Chad Johnson has been planning his Heinz Field end zone dance for months. But the Bengals defense may be their weak point, if they have one at all. The line of scrimmage, which seems to the ESPN phrase of the week, is where the game will be won or lost. The question is which team’s weakness will be worse, that will decide who will the victors. And to the victors go the spoils, in this instance the spoils would be the number one spot in the AFC North.