Marvel - as per Tomlin

[t-bone]

"Offensive tackle Marvel Smith, who had minor back surgery in December, is doing well and working out with his teammates. "We expect him to be ready to go."

from here...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08091/869287-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml


pre draft smoke or a ray of hope?

[mightyguru]

I just read that article. If we can get a couple more good seasons out of Marvel...hell yeah. We still should be looking for an LT on the first day...but it does bode well for Ben's health next season if Marvel can come back 100%.

[RWein72]

If he is healthy he will get a contract extension for 3-4 years, he is solid and depending on his health could play for another 3 years. I think the Steelers go DB round 1, i am praying for Mcglnn from pitt in round 4 if he lasts that long.

[markymarc]

Good news. Hopefully this won't be a lingering problem and Marvel will be 100% in 2008. At least we still have Starks to fill in if needed.

[smithessmokin]

Good news. Hopefully this won't be a lingering problem and Marvel will be 100% in 2008. At least we still have Starks to fill in if needed.

i think that the other reason besdies retaining starks to compete for the RT job is because they like his chances at LT. he did well for playing two games at LT last season. i wouldnt be mad if they tried this. however, we need a RT bad even though colon was consdered consistent. however, this year is the class to do it in. that is why i am in favor of drafting both jeremy zuttah and mike mcglynn. both are versatile OL and they can compete for starting jobs come the 2009 season.

[pete]

I like Marvel Smith. He's a pro-bowl tackle when healthy and has the supporting cast. He's not a line anchor, but he's definitely an important piece.

[steelersoldier]

If he is 100% that would be a great addition. Why is it that nobody is talking about Russ Grimm being gone and that being the reason the line sucked so bad last year. I'm not saying that is the only reason but I think it played a big part in it.

[smithessmokin]

I like Marvel Smith. He's a pro-bowl tackle when healthy and has the supporting cast. He's not a line anchor, but he's definitely an important piece.

that is the truth. when he was out, the OL play was much, much worse compared to when he was in there. he did give up his share of sacks though.

[markymarc]

i think that the other reason besdies retaining starks to compete for the RT job is because they like his chances at LT. he did well for playing two games at LT last season. i wouldnt be mad if they tried this. however, we need a RT bad even though colon was consdered consistent. however, this year is the class to do it in. that is why i am in favor of drafting both jeremy zuttah and mike mcglynn. both are versatile OL and they can compete for starting jobs come the 2009 season.

I was very impressed with Starks playing LT last regular season. Definitely night and day compared to the way he played during preseason. I still think Colon is very good at RT and don't see Starks beating him out in 2008. I have no issues drafting G or T early this year. I would have no problem with taking Albert in round one since he can play T as well.

[smithessmokin]

I was very impressed with Starks playing LT last regular season. Definitely night and day compared to the way he played during preseason. I still think Colon is very good at RT and don't see Starks beating him out in 2008. I have no issues drafting G or T early this year. I would have no problem with taking Albert in round one since he can play T as well.

its not that i dont like colon, i jsut think we can find somebody better. he let the quicker DEs get to the QB to much and he didnt do a lot in run blocking from what i remember.

[Jer]

Bullshit. The guy is breaking down. This injury bug isn't over. They need to draft a replacement now.

[bradentonfan]

over 30 and back surgery, does not lead to much optimism

[crimsonsteel]

Why is it that nobody is talking about Russ Grimm being gone and that being the reason the line sucked so bad last year. I'm not saying that is the only reason but I think it played a big part in it.

Because everyone but you remembers that the O Line sucked in 06 when Grimm was here and Ben was the most sacked QB in the league. ;)

[Andymisiu]

Having Smith back and healthy is an obviouse plus to our line. However, we need to be prepared if he's hurt again. Not only that, we need to start thinking about the future and building a younger group of guys. Of course, the Steelers already know this and so do we.

[Punxsutawney]

There is really to way to be certain exactly how Marvel will respond on the field from having back surgery after 8 years of enduring NFL contact.

When healthy, Marvel is one of the better LTs in the game. He is not at the elite level, but a notch below.

[Kdiddy71]

If he is 100% that would be a great addition. Why is it that nobody is talking about Russ Grimm being gone and that being the reason the line sucked so bad last year. I'm not saying that is the only reason but I think it played a big part in it.

Agreed he is one of the best line coaches bar none, that coupled with learning a new system and a horrible center didn't help either.

[steelreeling]

I would be happy to see Smith get moved inside to Guard. He's so damn slow. I'm not a big fan of his play the last three years. He had two really, really good years at LT and we went to the AFCC then,.... he started lunging at defensive ends. If we didn't have Ben back there we might have been the Texans.

He just can't move laterally enough against the speed rushers in the NFL today. Because he's a seasoned vet though, about half the time, he'll push his man to the outside the pocket, past the quarterback, using his momentum against him. The other half of the passing downs you instinctively murmur to yourself, "Oh shit!". That has to stop.

[Coryea]

If there is a good OT there, we better take him. Starks lost his job to Colon, Colon was pretty poor and almost everyone thinks he better suited to play inside at OG, there's nothing wrong with drafting a guy to play RT, then sliding him to LT if we think he could do it, that's what we did with Smith after Gandy left.
We have Smith who we aren't sure how he'll be, Essex, we can all agree is nothing more than a back-up, and Starks who lost his job to the guy that played pretty bad at RT and should play OG on our roster. We need help at OT.

[stevew]

How many people are we planning on moving inside to guard? It's getting freaking stupid how many times that gets posted. Starks at guard, colon at guard, now smith at guard. All three of those guys can take up a combined 15m in cap space, we'll have hella guard depth.

Colon is the only one who even makes any sense at guard.

[Vader]

How many people are we planning on moving inside to guard? It's getting freaking stupid how many times that gets posted. Starks at guard, colon at guard, now smith at guard. All three of those guys can take up a combined 15m in cap space, we'll have hella guard depth.

Colon is the only one who even makes any sense at guard.

Not only that but we must draft a OG in the first round because all the people we have there now is not enough. People must not realize that OT is a much bigger concern than a freakin 7th guard.

[Coryea]

IMO, Starks nor Smith aren't physical enough to play OG. Colon was projected to be an OG coming out of college I think, or atleast alot of draft guys were saying he'd probably be better at OG.

[stevew]

Not only that but we must draft a OG in the first round because all the people we have there now is not enough. People must not realize that OT is a much bigger concern than a freakin 7th guard.

Right now the camp battles/2008 line looks like this

LT-Marvel's job to lose. Could still be cut if Starks works out long time deal and/or if Marvel does not get healthy. Essex is more than capable at backup.
LG-I'd assume Simmons moves here, he should be the unquestioned starter. Backup will likely be someone who doesn't win the RG job.
C-Battle between Stapleton, Hartwig, Mahan. I think Hartwig will win, but I'd like to see stapleton win. Mahan may survive as a backup, or may earn a job at RG. Doubtful.
RG-3 way battle here between Mahan, Kemo, Colon. Kemo and Colon should battle it out. Assuming starks comes back, and does not move to LT, Colon's chance to start will be at RG. They aren't going to pay Starks big bucks to sit.
RT-Starks. If starks moves to LT, then you hope you drafted someone for here, or hope colon plays better.


The way I see it, I'd love to get that elite LT to replace marvel, but there will not be one there at 23. We absolutely do not need to draft a guard within the first 3 rounds. Unless someone amazing slips. The guys we have there are capable, even if they aren't the greatest. I would consider drafting a center in the first 3 rounds if we could get the best one out there. But I'm fairly certain tha Hartwig should be an improvement over Mahan. And Mahan might even be better in his second year.

[bradentonfan]

Starks was a LT in college and looked 10x better than anyone else there last year....... also I don't really consider that he was beaten out at RT by Colon when for the vast majority of the preseason he (Starks) was playing LT...... go back and watch the tapes
how do you lose out at a position you didn't even get a chance to compete for?

[deljzc]

Starks was a LT in college and looked 10x better than anyone else there last year....... also I don't really consider that he was beaten out at RT by Colon when for the vast majority of the preseason he (Starks) was playing LT...... go back and watch the tapes
how do you lose out at a position you didn't even get a chance to compete for?

First, from the Trib article, it appears the Steelers are interested in signing Starks long term maybe after the owner meeting and before the draft (why before the draft I have no idea). I really don't want Starks on this team long-term with $7-$8 million in guaranteed money in his contract.

Second, I think Starks' play at LT was greatly benefitted by the weather and field conditions of the games he played. A slow turf helps slow-footed tackles like Starks a ton and eliminates a lot of assets from speed rushers. The only game he played on a fast track was against the Rams, but the Rams defensive line stinks (the DE's had something like 3 sacks all season).

I think its a dangerous assumption to think because Starks strung together four decent games in December in slop and against St. Louis that he is capable of handling LT for us permanently. I see a lot of issues early in the year if he's there, the weather is nice, the tracks are fast and he's coming off limited work in the off-season due to his injury.

That's why I'm so upset with any deal. I think we can find a better right tackle along the way (which includes Colon) and he's, at best, a good backup LT. I don't think that's worth $7M guaranteed. And considering how much we're paying Mahan to be a backup this year, paying Starks millions to be a backup makes no sense to me.

[60 MINUTES]

Right now the camp battles/2008 line looks like this

LT-Marvel's job to lose. Could still be cut if Starks works out long time deal and/or if Marvel does not get healthy. Essex is more than capable at backup.
LG-I'd assume Simmons moves here, he should be the unquestioned starter. Backup will likely be someone who doesn't win the RG job.
C-Battle between Stapleton, Hartwig, Mahan. I think Hartwig will win, but I'd like to see stapleton win. Mahan may survive as a backup, or may earn a job at RG. Doubtful.
RG-3 way battle here between Mahan, Kemo, Colon. Kemo and Colon should battle it out. Assuming starks comes back, and does not move to LT, Colon's chance to start will be at RG. They aren't going to pay Starks big bucks to sit.
RT-Starks. If starks moves to LT, then you hope you drafted someone for here, or hope colon plays better.


The way I see it, I'd love to get that elite LT to replace marvel, but there will not be one there at 23. We absolutely do not need to draft a guard within the first 3 rounds. Unless someone amazing slips. The guys we have there are capable, even if they aren't the greatest. I would consider drafting a center in the first 3 rounds if we could get the best one out there. But I'm fairly certain tha Hartwig should be an improvement over Mahan. And Mahan might even be better in his second year.


Harwig will be your starting C this coming year. There is no job up in that spot and Mahan will not even be considered for it. If Mahan wants a job he will have to beat someone out at guard. CENTER will be Hartwig 100 percent for sure.;


I look for this to happen this year and I don't think it would be a bad thing

LT SMITH LG COLON C Harwig RG SIMMONS and RT Rookie

IF we get Max back this year he will sign a fair deal and may play LT this year and Move Smith to RT. then you may see a first round pick go to DL and second round go to OT with that OT having a year or two to get ready to take Smiths place.

[markymarc]

Harwig will be your starting C this coming year. There is no job up in that spot and Mahan will not even be considered for it. If Mahan wants a job he will have to beat someone out at guard. CENTER will be Hartwig 100 percent for sure.;


I look for this to happen this year and I don't think it would be a bad thing

LT SMITH LG COLON C Harwig RG SIMMONS and RT Rookie

IF we get Max back this year he will sign a fair deal and may play LT this year and Move Smith to RT. then you may see a first round pick go to DL and second round go to OT with that OT having a year or two to get ready to take Smiths place.

I definitely agree that Hartwig will be our starting center in 2008. The only thing that would prevent it would be an injury to Hartwig. Mahan will be our backup C and G. IMO the only playing time Starks gets in 2008 is with injury to Smith or Colon. No way he beats either of them out to start. At LG it will be Kemo and then of course Simmons at RG. Be interesting to see how Hartwig at C if that will improve our overall line play. No one can replace Faneca's play, but I think Kemo will do a decent job.

[Vader]

I definitely agree that Hartwig will be our starting center in 2008. The only thing that would prevent it would be an injury to Hartwig. Mahan will be our backup C and G. IMO the only playing time Starks gets in 2008 is with injury to Smith or Colon. No way he beats either of them out to start. At LG it will be Kemo and then of course Simmons at RG. Be interesting to see how Hartwig at C if that will improve our overall line play. No one can replace Faneca's play, but I think Kemo will do a decent job.

I'd rather draft a center in the 4th or 5th round or have Philips backup Hartwig. No way do I want Mahan anywhere near the center position again.

[Far51]

Yep no doubt Colon is the only one moving to G makes sense, Starks should stay as a LT, the rest where they are at (Mahan to back up G/C).

Problem in moving Colon is it at the moment can to to LG only, thanks to Simmons awful contract hes gotta start and with a real C finally aboard the Simmons to C talk is officially dead.

What would a Smith extension for 3-4 years cost , I sure hope not 4 years 14 mill type due to his injury history, max I would offer him 3 years 10.5 mill, good enough starting salary and short term, if we do get our blue chip LT Smith always can go back to RT.

[markymarc]

I'd rather draft a center in the 4th or 5th round or have Philips backup Hartwig. No way do I want Mahan anywhere near the center position again.

I agree because Mahan proved last year he couldn't handle the C position. At best he should only be the backup G. I hope Stapleton is working hard this offseason and can move to backup C. Sooner than later we will have to address the C position in the draft.

[Vader]

I agree because Mahan proved last year he couldn't handle the C position. At best he should only be the backup G. I hope Stapleton is working hard this offseason and can move to backup C. Sooner than later we will have to address the C position in the draft.

This appears to be a good year to do it. I think Hartings spoiled some people into believing that every OG can play C. It is a tough position to play. I'd rather draft a true C than to try to convert a OG into one.

[DerbyCityBNGfan]

If he is 100% that would be a great addition. Why is it that nobody is talking about Russ Grimm being gone and that being the reason the line sucked so bad last year. I'm not saying that is the only reason but I think it played a big part in it.

good call...i really felt that the line, arians, and the OL coach (not gonna try to spell it off of memory) were on different pages last year...I hope they get it together tho, our schedule is full of pass rushing DE's next year

[Far51]

lets see if Stapelton can jump up to #2 behind Hartwig at C

[Bclower]

Smith may have a year left and everyone knows we need to upgrade but where r we gonna find 1 of the most important pieces to the OL that being left tackle in the draft. LT starters in the draft will be gone by the 23 pick so what else do we do let colon start?