Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert Could Be on “Hot Seat”

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Haley is apparently less than pleased with how both of his starting offensive tackles have performed through Pittsburgh’s first two regular season games.

In fact, Haley might be ready to yank one or both out of the lineup if they perform poorly this Sunday night against the Chicago Bears.

According to Ed Bouchette of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers’ offensive coordinator “won’t hesitate to insert Kelvin Beachum at one of the tackles if the other two falter.”

If either Mike Adams or Marcus Gilbert is eventually pulled in favor of the team’s “Swiss army knife,” it would come as no surprise to me.  Both starting tackles have allowed far too much pressure during Pittsburgh’s first two regular season games, and their run-blocking has been extremely poor as well.

Overall, Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked seven times and the entire team has only accumulated 75 yards on the ground.  While the rest of Pittsburgh’s offensive line has been less-than stellar as well, the play from both of their tackles has left much to be desired.

If Beachum, who started five games at right tackle last fall, at any moment represents a more competent option for the team to turn to on the edge, then I hope that Pittsburgh’s offensive coaches will be unafraid to pull either Adams or Gilbert.

Regardless of the investments Pittsburgh’s front office made in both of their current starting tackles (second round picks in 2011 and 2012), Todd Haley and Jack Bicknell, Jr. cannot afford to let their quarterback be “hung out to dry” if their left and right tackles are unable to show signs of improvement.

Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference

Follow me on Twitter: @DominicDiTolla

Follow & Like “NPC” on Facebook: Nice Pick, Cowher