I just read an interesting article that says new head coach Mike Tomlin saw a lot of tape last year and decided that Max Starks may not be as entrenched at Tackle as fans seem to think he says. Coach saw Ben go down one too many times from that side and mentioned that Willie Colon is looking good in mini-camps. What's that you say? How could a newer starter himself be pushed for a job? Well, this isn't your Cowher's Steelers. Remember, Cowher loved seasoned vets almost as much as Rosie O'Donnel likes seasoned sides of beef. Cowher seemed to prefer experience and continuity to raw talent sometimes. You can make a case that in most instances he made the right call - but there were times when everyone knew but Mr. C that it was time for a change....the biggest being the need to replace Jason Gildon. The onger he coached, the more examples there were....Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington come quickly (or should I say slowly) to mind. Maybe the younger guys didn't have any DOG in them during camp because they knew there was little chance to start if a guy was younger than 32 and already in their position. I know Colon and Kemoeatu are supposed to be about as mean as OL come. If we need to prepare for life without Wahnaca Faneca, maybe we need to start pulling him in blowouts and letting the young guys take over. Kendall Simmons could also be in for a battle as he gets a little older. Camp will be fun to follow this year.
2 comments:
Battles galore! Whole O-line is up for grabs with Hartings retired and Faneca whining worse than one of Vick's losing dogs.
I'll be surprised if Willie Colon isn't opening day starter barring injury. Kemoautu might beat out Ken-doll Simmons too. Colon is a bad dude who backs down from no one. He should have played more last season except we had a coach with no clue what to do with his personnel.
Kemoautu started, played, and knocked the snot (and all other bodily fluid) out of the Chiefs the week we were at the game last year but by next week he was on the inactive list again. ????
And you can add Brent "Burnt" Alexander to Chad "Charred" Scott, and DeWayne "Toast" Washington among the DBs who played while Troy Polamalu sat the bench under the fabulous Mr. C.
I will go out on a limb here and say that if Kedall Simmons can't play Center, he will be dealt for draft choice(s). Center is going to be a real focal point. We've gone 30+ years with a premier center and now it's a question mark. Very interesting indeed.
I will also be interested to see just how many punts Retardo Chokeley fumbles before Tomlin concludes that HE IS NOT A PUNT RETURNER!
i'm guessing if willie reid is healthy....there should be no need for retardo to return punts, kicks....or play db!!
i hope sean mahan wins the center battle.
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