Pittsburgh Steelers Re-Sign OL Guy Whimper
By Kim Myers
Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster (73) and guard Guy Whimper (78) and tackle Mike Adams (76) and tackle Kelvin Beachum (68) in the tunnel for player introductions before playing the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers made a free agent signing today to fortify their offensive line when they retained the services of Guy Whimper with a one-year deal. The Steelers picked Whimper up last offseason from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Whimper was nicknamed “Abdullah the Butcher” by head coach Mike Tomlin apparently in homage to a professional wrestler from back in the day. Whimper came in and performed more than adequately when called upon in 2013. He played in 11 games, starting two of them. He’s played guard at both sides and will provide depth for starters Ramon Foster and David DeCastro.
With this signing it seems as though it’s safe to say that the offensive line is the one unit in which the Steelers have the most depth at going into 2014. They have four starters with Pouncey, DeCastro, Beachum, and Foster with Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams as well at the tackle position. Their depth now includes Cody Wallace and Guy Whimper. While other position groups like running back and wide receiver are getting thinner by the moment, the offensive line is about as set as an NFL unit can be in the month of March.
Having the offensive line unit re-signed at this point certainly allows more time for new offensive line coach Mike Munchak to work with his line as soon as workouts are permitted and not have to worry too much about who might join latter on in the draft. We’ve heard for months now about how much confidence everyone has in him, now he’s got his line and he can get right to work. The line went through its typical “O-line Tetris” last season due to injuries and sub-par play by players like Mike Adams but the unit definitely improved as the season went on. Roethlisberger was headed towards record-breaking sack numbers in the first half of the season and was only sacked less than 10 times the second half.
What are your thoughts on the re-signing of Guy Whimper Steeler Nation?
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