SteelerWatch

DRAFT POTENTIAL:
- Day 1: NOT HAPPENING
- Day 2: LOW

I’m not one for painting rosy pictures of a bad situation. If there is a truly weak link on the line, it’s at Right Tackle. Current starter Max Starks has had a nearly schizophrenic career: one week, he’s mauling All-Pro defensive ends. The next week he looks like a an old man trying to chase down a cockroach with the end of his cane. He’s big, he’s strong and he’s smart, but his play is just too unpredictable.

So is it worth risking the health of your franchise player (Roethlisberger) in hopes of less spotty play? Maybe, but the smartest way to go is to at least take a look at what will be available during the offseason. While Starks has had his share of poor performances, he’s still starter quality in most cities — just maybe not the ‘Burgh.

The reason was simple, at least until Bruce Arians was promoted to offensive coordinator. Now it’s a two-pronged necessity. Not only is this a team that prides itself on having a top-notch running game, now they will utilize four-wide receiver sets more often than in the past, putting that much more of a premium on blocking on the line. By taking the tight end out of the mix, you eliminate a potential blocker; the same goes for the fullback.

The in-house option for replacing Starks in the starting lineup is 2006 rookie Willie Colon. Colon started two games in 2006, his only real playing time in the NFL, so guaging his performance is difficult. The team was 1-1 during his two starts, the final two games of the season. He’s dramatically smaller (by 30 pounds and 4 inches) than Starks, which could actually give him an advantage over the incumbent starter, particularly in four-receiver sets.

I’ve already speculated that the team may attempt to trade up in this year’s draft to pick up Left Tackle Levi Brown of Penn State. He would definitely make a good option at right tackle, even though he’d be switching sides of the line, but I’ve also speculated that he could be moved to Right Guard as Alan Faneca’s backup. However, you generally don’t waste a first-round pick on someone who is destined to sit on the bench for at least another four years, so the more obvious option would be to utilize him at right tackle. That would likely move Starks or Colon to the Guard position.

Realistically, though, I don’t think there is much potential for drafting a right tackle before the sixth roud, and then only to add depth. The more likely situation is that we’ll see more of Willie Colon in 2007.

There is one big caveat here: Starks is a restricted free agent this year. There are teams needing major help, like the Arizona Cardinals. As uneven as Starks tends to be, he would certainly be an upgrade for that line. There are a number of other teams that are likely to be looking at him, as well. If Cowher was still in charge, they would likely counter any offer made by another team. But a new head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach will probably eliminate that possibility.

Just don’t bet the farm that Max will be starting come September.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 15th, 2007 at 2:20 pm and is filed under Before the Draft, Offense. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.