Foster #73, has been a stable part of Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line over the last four years. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Linemen with starting experience and versatility usually command high price-tags in Free Agency.  Thus, I figured that the cap-strapped Steelers would be unable to afford a player like Foster who could have commanded an expensive pay-day on the open market.   Thankfully though, Pittsburgh’s brass have reportedly re-upped the 27 year-old to a 3-year deal to keep him in town through the 2015 season.

To his credit, the former 2009 UDFA has been a steady and effective presence along Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line since his Rookie season.  While he has not been flashy or as outstanding as Maurkice Pouncey, Foster has nevertheless improved his play over his 4-year career (57 Total Games).  In fact, Ramon only allowed 2.0 Sacks over the entire 2012 regular season according to Pro Football Focus (via ESPN).

Overall, Foster has logged 42 career Starts, and performed in a multitude of different positions for the Steelers.  Not only has the former Tennessee Volunteer received extended playing time at Right Guard and Left Guard, he has also chipped in at Right Tackle on occasion.  Last season, Foster started every game for Pittsburgh at either Right (13 Games) or Left (13 Games) Guard, and seemed to only get better as the season progressed.

So what does Foster’s new deal ultimately mean for the Steelers?  Here are a few events which I believe could possibly unfold over the coming months:

• 2012 7th Round Pick Kelvin Beachum is all but pegged to continue his role as a “super-sub” this Fall.  Another season as the “Swing” Guard/Tackle will allow the versatile Beachum more time to develop into a potential starter at either position, and at the very least contribute if injuries or ineffective play occur.

• Veteran Willie Colon is all but done with the Steelers unless he takes a massive pay-cut.  Colon is set to receive a large Base Salary ($5.5 million) this year, and it has not helped that he has missed 35 regular season games since the 2010 season.  Pittsburgh is trying to get younger and cheaper on all fronts right now.  Thus, the soon-to-be 30 year-old Colon might not be in the team’s long-term plans.

• The farfetched idea that Pittsburgh’s brass would select Jonathan Cooper or Chance Warmack in Round 1 of this year’s Draft is basically “out the window.”  Had Foster left, I could have certainly seen Pittsburgh considering one of these talented Guard prospects with the 17th overall selection.  Yet with Foster signed long-term, I am sure that the Steelers will look in another direction in Round 1.

• Veteran backup Guard/Center Doug Legursky, also a UFA, could be in danger of being either released or set to test the open market.  “Leggo” made $1.26 million last year, and teams around the League always value positional versatility.  If Legursky is allowed to test the Free Agent waters, Pittsburgh might not be able to match another franchise’s offer.

During this crucial offseason period, I believe that Foster’s 3 year-deal was a solid move made by Pittsburgh’s Front Office members.  The Steelers need stability along their young Offensive Line, and it would be nice for the unit to gel quickly as Ben Roethlisberger enters the twilight of his career.  While the financial details of Foster’s contract have not been disclosed, this move is great for both sides.

From Management’s perspective, they are able to retain a versatile and veteran Offensive Lineman who has played effectively at multiple positions for the franchise.  On the other side, the deal is beneficial to Foster because he will not only get a chance to lock down a starting job, but will be able to do so in a familiar setting on the team he has played for his entire career.  Furthermore, due to the fact that the contract only runs through the 2015 season, Ramon should get to test the Free Agent market again when he is only 30 years of age.

While the re-upping of Foster was not a particularly flashy move, I must give Pittsburgh’s brass credit for making a smart choice to help to shore up their team’s Offensive Line.

Stats Courtesy of: Pro-Football Reference and ESPN.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com

Adams has not fared well so far against pass rushers. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

Granted, it is definitely more of an exception than the norm for a team to start a Rookie at Left Tackle in Week 1 of any regular season.  Nevertheless, the Steelers appeared all but ready to hand the “Blindside Protector” spot over to their 2012 2nd Round draft pick Mike Adams as they entered OTA’s and Training Camp.  Unfortunately, the former Buckeye has played like a Rookie thus far into the preseason, banged up his knee a bit, and has played inconsistent/looked lost at times when matched up against 1st and 2nd stringers.

The regular season showdown in the Mile High City only 18 days away, and “Gunslingin” Dumervil and Von Miller are ready to wreak havoc again off the edge.  With the struggles, the injury, the stage, and the future competition in mind, the Steelers have some important choices to make concerning the Tackle position:

Should they start the Rookie Adams?  Or will they go with another Tackle in his place?  If so, which guys should play where and why?

I personally believe that if the Steelers decide to let Adams rest up, develop more, and rehab from his injury fully, the team has options to exercise for the time being and can benefit in the process.  I have listed two starting Offensive Line combinations which the Steelers can employ without Adams, and I will further discuss why these lineups could help the team if they choose to not play Adams come Week 1.

Combination #1

(LT) Marcus Gilbert, (LG) Willie Colon, (C) Maurkice Pouncey, (RG) David DeCastro, (RT) Ramon Foster

If you readers do not recall, Marcus Gilbert was originally slated to start at Left Tackle this season.  In fact, the 2nd Year man from Florida also saw time there during OTA’s and Training Camp, and even got some work there in the Wild Card playoff loss this past January.  Overall, Gilbert started 14 total games during his Rookie season, and the experience which he gained during a year where it appeared he would have to sit and develop was invaluable to all parties involved in his development.  While Gilbert has not started a regular season game at Left Tackle for the team so far, he still has been thought of as a viable option for the team to use at the position.  Plus, with a year of regular season experience already gained, Gilbert is much farther along in his development than Adams currently is at the moment.

As far as Foster’s experience at Right Tackle goes, the former Tennessee Volunteer started 26 games during his final two seasons in college.  And while Foster has played a majority of time during his three seasons the pro level at both Guard spots, the guy at least has some sort of experience under his belt at the Tackle position.  Truth be told, I was actually pleased with Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler’s decision to give Foster time at Right Tackle to start Sunday night’s game, but at Left Guard as well.  Both positions feature starters which have either had injury issues (Willie Colon) or are at risk of being switched elsewhere because of uncertainty somewhere else (Marcus Gilbert).  For insurance purposes, I would like to see Foster see extended time at both spots during the rest of the preseason contests, and I hope that the Coaching Staff feels the same way as I do.

Together, Foster and Gilbert did a solid enough job against the Colts when they were lined up at Right and Left Tackle respectively.  They kept Big Ben from being destroyed and managed to help get the ground game going led by Jonathan Dwyer and Co..  More reps are needed by both players at both positions, and it will be up to the Coaching Staff to determine whether or not both players have a future at either spot.  While I would not mind seeing this pairing lined up in Week 1, there is one other Offensive Line combination which could benefit the team as well.

Combination #2

(LT) Max Starks, (LG) Willie Colon, (C) Maurkice Pouncey, (RG) David DeCastro, (RT) Marcus Gilbert

To those of you which decried the move (and mine and Craig’s support of said move) to resign veteran Tackle Max Starks (80 career starts) for insurance purposes, let me just take the time to issue a quick “I told you so.” before I proceed.  Look what has happened recently.  Oh yeah, some of the scenarios which I alluded to in my past posts: injuries have struck, and Adams is hurt/not playing up to standard.  Now that Big #78 is no longer on the PUP List, Starks could very well begin to see some playing time in Pittsburgh’s next preseason contest.  And who knows?  Starks could very well be protecting Big Ben’s blindside come the time the team takes the field at Mile High Stadium (or whatever they are calling it now).  Of course, Starks’ ability to play however will all hinge on his recently surgically repaired knee.  Thus, the veteran should only be inserted into the lineup if and only if the Steelers and Big Ben are fully confident that he is athletically up to play come Week 1.

Also helping the “Max Starks at Left Tackle scenario” is the fact that Marcus Gilbert can stand pat, stay comfortable, and man the Right Tackle position for a second consecutive season.  Gilbert will have some continuity and could remain there as long as Starks can stay off the injury list/Adams can return to form.  In addition, Adams can be the team’s top backup, learn at his own pace with little to no pressure, and heal in the process as well.  Plus, Foster can be the top backup at the Guard spots and play in case Colon gets injured again or DeCastro has some issues too.

It will be interesting to see how healthy Starks is over the next two weeks, and should make for a good storyline.  If he proves that his knee can hold up, I would personally lean towards starting a veteran like Starks, especially because he has the trust of Big Ben and has played in big situations before.

Final Thoughts

My argument that Adams should not start Week 1 in Denver has more to do with what is in the best interests of the team right now, not what his future with the club will ultimately be.  Starting as a Rookie in the National Football League is a tall order to say the least, and many players which turn out to be Pro Bowl players ride the pine and develop their talented skill-sets until they are ready.  Heck, Adams could be starting by midseason and should even be putting together more consistent performances by the end of the year.  But as of right now, Week 3 of the preseason, Pittsburgh should really begin to explore the options of inserting Starks and/or Foster into their starting lineup until the Rookie’s play improves.

I will give Adams the benefit of the doubt from his performance against the Colts because of his sore knee.  Injuries happen and performances suffer because of it.  Yet if Adams cannot keep the Colts’ backups at bay, heaven forbid what happens when Miller and Dumervil are lined up across from him.  Big Ben could get seriously hurt if Adams struggles with pass protection as much as he has over the last two weeks, and the Steelers might want to consider all of their options at the Tackle positions before they head into a hostile environment with hungry pass rushers during the opening week.

Stats Courtesy of: Pro Football Reference.com

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Foster will take over the Right Tackle duties until Adams returns. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-US PRESSWIRE

It is official “Steeler Nation”: The 2012 version of “Offensive Line Musical Chairs” has started in Pittsburgh!

After he sustained a knee injury in Pittsburgh’s first preseason game against Philadelphia, Rookie Mike Adams will be forced to the sidelines for what appears to be 2 weeks.  With Adams out, Left Guard Willie Colon back from his own injury, and David DeCastro having earned the starting nod at Right Guard, the Steelers shuffled substitute Left Guard Ramon Foster to Right Tackle, and Right Tackle Marcus Gilbert over to Big Ben’s blind side.

While it is a bit disheartening to see Adams miss some time, the roster moves themselves are not exactly a huge cause for concern.  Gilbert was slated to move over to the Left side for this season anyway and had taken some reps there during the offseason.  As for Foster, while he has not played Tackle extensively since he was at Tennessee, he has the body type the Steelers’ look for in a Tackle, can run-block decently, and possesses enough of a skill-set at the position in terms of his pass-blocking to shore up the Right side for however long Adams is hurt.  Plus, popular veteran Max Starks is still on the roster, and once he regains full health, can slide over to Left Tackle in case of another emergency.

Although the Steelers have the ability to play some “roster Tetris” along their Offensive Line, the fact that a guy which appeared to be an instrumental part of the rebuilding process is already missing time is a huge blow.  Cohesiveness (outside of talent) is probably the most important ingredient which goes into building a successive Offensive Line.  And while the Steelers might have upgraded in the talent department at essentially every position over the last three years, Big Ben’s blocking unit has been maligned by injuries, numerous different lineups, and personnel changes across the board.

While I have complete and total faith that Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler can “MacGyver” some sort of passable Line if disaster inevitably strikes, I am frustrated with the fact that he has already had to do it multiple times during his two year tenure with the franchise.  What Kugler and the rest of the Offense needs is five guys to simply stay healthy for an extended period of time so they can build some chemistry and find out what works and what does not as a unit.  My only hope is that the Steelers can find some sort of solution soon, because this “Offensive Line Question Mark” is something which has plagued this team over the last half decade.

All we can do now though “Steeler Nation” is cross our fingers’, wait until the music stops, and hope nobody gets injured trying to find a chair.

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Starks however is not the only experienced backup which the Steelers currently have on their roster heading into Training Camp at the end of the month.  In fact, for the first time in over a decade, the Steelers actually have some experienced and versatile backup players which they can turn to at multiple positions in the trenches.  And on a positional unit which has been beset by injuries in recent years, experienced depth definitely qualifies as a valued plus as the team prepares for the 2012 season.

Max Starks (Tackle)

Not much more needs to be said about Max Starks outside of what I discussed in the previous post which I alluded to in the opening paragraphs.  If you would like even more positive thoughts on the matter, then check out Craig’s post from last night as well as he delves into Starks’ recent signing.

Thus, all I will say on Pittsburgh’s recent signing of Starks is this:  While he might not be the 2008 version of himself agility wise, Starks is still a valued backup at either Tackle spot for this team, and an enormous upgrade over the sieve-like Jonathan Scott.  There is hardly a substitute for a backup Tackle which has started 79 games over his career, started and played effectively at both Tackle spots on two Super Bowl winning teams, and can provide veteran leadership.  As long as Starks’ knee and body as a whole can hold up over the course of the season, this is a solid investment made by the franchise for 2012.

Leggo will be the backup Center in 2012. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Doug Legursky (Center/Guard)

Having risen from the Practice Squad, to earning a backup job on the game-day roster, to spot-starting Guard and Center over the last few seasons, Doug Legursky has emerged as a solid role player for the Steelers along their Offensive Line.  And as the Steelers’ most versatile Interior backup, Legursky has seen quite a bit of action and gained a wealth of experience due to injuries and inconsistent play since 2009.

At Guard, Legursky has stepped in at both the Left and Right Guard positions over the last couple of seasons.  Whether it was him stepping in for injured players, beating out Chris Scott and Tony Hills on the depth chart, or replacing an inconsistent Chris Kemoeatu late last year, Legursky has been able to work his way onto the field.  As for his stints as the Center, because Maurkice Pouncey dinged up at times over the last couple of years (including Super Bowl XLV), the short yet gritty Legursky has been pressed into duty and done an adequate enough job to solidify his place as the permanent backup at the position.

Overall, the former UDFA out of Marshall has played in a total of 35 games, started 14 overall, and started a career high 10 in 2011 alone.  Even though it now appears that Rookie David DeCastro will be manning the Right Guard spot on a permanent basis, Legursky will nevertheless be an instrumental cog in Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line plans this season if injuries beset the Interior of the Steelers’ Offensive Line.

Ramon Foster (Guard)

Foster will be a nice backup option for Pittsburgh to have this season. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Foster took a similar path to Legursky in terms of how he rose up the depth chart and assumed a starting role.  Undrafted as a Tackle out of the University of Tennessee in 2009, Foster climbed from the Practice Squad into the starting lineup during his Rookie season, beat out 3rd Round bust Kraig Urbik, and has earned a number of starts and playing time ever since.

Beginning in 2009, Foster has slowly accumulated a wealth of starts and experience for the Steelers over said span.  After starting 4 games during his Rookie season, Foster started 8 during the Steelers 2010 A.F.C. Championship campaign, and a career-high total of 14 last year.  In addition to his 26 starts, Foster has shown some versatility and logged time at both the Left and Right Guard positions, including finishing out 2011 as the starting Right Guard.  Yet in spite of Foster’s experience and continued development, he will likely not enter Training Camp with the 1st Team on the depth chart.

Because of Willie Colon’s move to Left Guard and the selection of DeCastro in Round 1 of this April’s Draft, Foster is likely to be Pittsburgh’s “Third Guard” in 2012.  Nevertheless, the veteran and experienced Foster will likely be the best backup option at either Guard spot, and will be counted on to step up and contribute if the scenario presents itself.

Final Thoughts

Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler must be as giddy as any Steelers Coach, Player, or Fan as the 2012 season draws near.  Pouncey and Gilbert are already in place, then when you factor in the possibility of Colon being healthy and DeCastro and Adams playing up to par, and a recipe for success for the Steelers’ Offensive Line is in the making for years to come.

But almost as important as the collective talent of the starting five along the Offensive Line is the experience and overall effectiveness of their backups.  With Starks, Legursky, and Foster, the Steelers should have at least some comfort in knowing that if something happens to deviate the team from their original plans regarding the Offensive Line this season, a capable backup can step in and help.  Thus, the Steelers should thus count themselves lucky to have backups like Foster, Legursky, and most of all Starks at their disposal in 2012.  Not many teams can turn to their 2nd Team Offensive Line and have players with the type of experience those three have obtained over the years, and for insurance purposes they are a solid backup trio for the Steelers to have on their roster.

Statistics Courtesy of: ESPN.com and Pro Football Reference

Now it’s your turn readers:  Will the projected starting five play up to a high standard this season?  Will injuries hurt this unit once again?  Will the depth be good enough to get this team deep into the postseason?

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Entering this season, there are three former Undrafted Free Agents from the 2009 class on the roster which over the past three seasons have gradually worked their way up the depth chart, and even contributed largely to the team’s success over said span as well.  So, today I thought that it would be a good idea to briefly discuss the careers’ of Isaac Redman, Steve McLendon, and Ramon Foster, and explain why stepping up their games during the 2012 season will be of such great importance to furthering their careers’ and helping the team’s fortunes in general.

McLendon will be counted on greatly this season. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-US PRESSWIRE

Steve McLendon

After working his way up the depth chart, veteran Chris Hoke’s retirement, some solid Coaching by John Mitchell, effective play when he has received snaps over the last couple of years, and a bit of weight gain (280 lbs. to 325 lbs.), Steve McLendon has an enormous opportunity to turn some heads this season and make an even bigger name for himself as a player.

Undrafted out of Troy in 2009, McLendon has held his own since being signed and stuck around with the club over the last few seasons as he has developed into a backup Nose Tackle and rotational player along Pittsburgh’s Defensive Line.  Now with “Big Snack” likely being sidelined to begin the year likely on the “PUP” List, and Rookie Alameda Ta’amu with zero pro experience and zero experience in Dick LeBeau’s Defense, McLendon will be counted on to shoulder a great deal of the load at Nose Tackle early in the 2012 season.  In fact, McLendon should be Pittsburgh’s best option at the position if “Snack” must sit due to his knee injury sustained late last season.

And even if “Snack” returns healthy later in the season, and the team believes that the massive Ta’amu is the future of the club at the 0-Technique, McLendon has an enormous opportunity to earn himself a full time roster spot, solidify himself as at least the #2 Nose Tackle (Chris Hoke’s old role) for years to come, or even perform well enough for another 3-4 team to consider signing him when he becomes a Free Agent down the road.  Defensive Line Coach Mitchell certainly believes that McLendon can do the job, and seems to believe that good things are in store for Steve this season.  I know that I will be rooting hard for McLendon to do well, and I hope that he can play well enough to make the transition from “Snack” in the coming seasons easier to bear, and in turn help push Ta’amu and his game to new heights by providing him with some solid competition.

Isaac Redman

Isaac Redman will finally get his chance to start in 2012. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Isaac Redman was the star of the 2009 Training Camp with his work during drills and his batter-ram attitude to push the pile and take on guys no matter what size they were.  While he was raw as a runner coming out of Bowie State that season and was an Undrafted Free Agent, Pittsburgh saw enough of his work in the preseason near the Goal Line to successfully keep him on their Practice Squad so they could develop him over the coming seasons.

Anyway, the move by Pittsburgh to sign, cut, assign to the Practice Squad, develop, and eventually play Redman over the last three seasons has paid huge dividends for the franchise.  Heck, without Redman, Pittsburgh might have had to play their 2010 Divisional Playoff Game in Baltimore, because it was Isaac’s toughness on the Touchdown catch and run which sealed the division for the Steelers on that Sunday Night Game in Baltimore that season.  Overall though, Redman has worked his way into the lineup gradually over the past two seasons where he has been on the roster.  Last season, Isaac set career highs last season in Attempts (110), Yards (479), and Rushing Touchdowns (3), and filled in admirably and effectively for Mendenhall in the Wild Card Game at Denver.

Like McLendon, injuries and inexperience of others at his position on the roster in 2012 will give Redman his biggest chance to break out and succeed.  With Mendenhall to begin the season on the “PUP” List, and none of the other Running Backs on the roster with a great deal (if any) professional experience, Redman will be called upon to shoulder the load in the running game this year.  Hopefully Redman can up his total Attempts to somewhere in the neighborhood of 200-250 this season as the team’s #1 option in the RB by Committee system.  As long as he stays healthy though, Redman should be able to do it, because he is a tough player who has kept on exceeding our expectations over the last three seasons.

Ramon Foster

Foster will be one of the Line's best backups in 2012. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

While he might not earn a starting job this season, Ramon Foster (6’6″ 325 lbs.) will definitely be an important piece of Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line and team as a whole in 2012.  Foster, along with ‘08 UDFA from Marshall, Doug Legursky, are versatile and solid backups for this Offensive Line to have.  So many injuries have afflicted this unit over the years, and both guys have responded and developed during said period.  To his credit, Foster not only made the roster in 2009, but he beat out that season’s 3rd Round pick Kraig Urbik who was supposed to take over at the Right Guard spot after Kendall Simmons left town due to injuries.

Even if Foster does not win the Right Guard job over Rookie David DeCastro, he will still enter the 2012 season as the undisputed top Guard backup on the roster.  With 26 starts under his belt, Foster has the experience to at least enter a game cold and off the bench, and know what is going on when he needs to play somewhere.  Plus, Willie Colon has not played an entire season of football since 2009, and has only played in one game since then.  If Pittsburgh’s new Left Guard is injured, Foster will be asked to fill in for whatever period is necessary, and do an adequate job in his absence.  Foster will be the team’s “Swing Guard,” on game-days and an important backup to have at a moment’s notice this season and beyond.

2012 will be an important season for Foster, even if he plays sparingly, because of the fact that he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent after the season ends.  Foster will be playing for a new contract in 2013, and might even be playing for it somewhere outside of Pittsburgh if another franchise offers him an opportunity to start if the Steelers want to keep him around as a backup (or cannot afford him salary-cap-wise).  Hopefully, Ramon will not be needed too much this season, because if that is the case it will mean that injuries have afflicted the Guard spot(s) yet again.  Nevertheless, this team has lacked quality depth along the Offensive Line for years, and if Foster is pressed into action, it is at least comforting to know that Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler can turn to a guy which has started 26 games and developed into a solid option to turn to if his number is called.

Final Thoughts

I know that I will be watching closely to see how these three players perform over the coming months.  Redman will likely garner most of the headlines because he plays a skill position and will receive the most touches, and in turn the most notoriety.  Still, McLendon’s progress and continued development should be intriguing to watch, and we as fans should keep an eye on Foster’s development, how much he ends up playing in 2012, as well as what the team decides to do with him and Legursky (also a Unrestricted Free Agent following 2012) after the regular season ends.  I would like to see three UDFA’s in one class pan out for this club and become at the very least top backups/spot starters to important starters and contributors.  The opportunities are there for these guys to succeed in 2012 and into the future, and now the only question will be whether or not they can take advantage of them.

Stats Courtesy of: Pro Football Reference.com

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