Kelvin Beachum, Not Fernando Velasco, Will Start at Center in Week 2
Sep 8, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum (68) moves to play center after center Maurkice Pouncey (53) left the game with an apparent injury against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh’s brass really did not have much of a choice in the matter, especially since two of their starters and a significant contributor were injured during Sunday’s loss to Tennessee.
While “Kion Wilson starting in Larry Foote’s place” was an interesting piece of news, I was immediately intrigued when I read that the Steelers would start Kelvin Beachum at center over the newly acquired Fernando Velasco against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As Pittsburgh’s “Swiss army knife” offensive lineman, Beachum stepped in at center last weekend after Maurkice Pouncey was the victim of an ill-timed and moronic chop-block from David DeCastro. Despite the fact that Beachum finished the game at center, I was still somewhat shocked to learn that the former S.M.U. Mustang earned the starting nod over the recently inked Velasco for the Steelers’ upcoming game.
Velasco actually has more experience under his belt at the center position, and logged 13 of his 16 regular season starts at the position last fall. Nevertheless, it looks like Pittsburgh’s coaching staff are looking to give Beachum another extended chance to shine at center before they decide whether or not to pull the trigger on the former Tennessee Titan.
Regardless of who starts at center on Monday night though, they will have the difficult task on their hands of stopping Cincinnati’s relentless interior pass-rush led by Geno Atkins.
Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference
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