Seeking Advice From Steelers Of The Past Dan Moore Finds Missing Piece To Offensive Line Room

The offensive line was one of the most improved units on the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. During the 2021 season, the Steelers' OL was one of the worst in the league, ranking 26th according to PFF. 

The 2022 season brought change, in QB as Kenny Pickett took over for the retired Ben Roethlisberger, the coach with the hiring of Pat Meyer and in the names and faces of the line. Amazingly enough, the line had never started a single game together prior to the start of the season. The group averaged only 25.2 years old and a paltry four years of experience, which made them one of the youngest in the NFL. 

While it seemed obvious the group would experience some growing pains, few people expected them to gel as well as they did. It did not happen overnight, the line got off to as rough of a start as the rest of the team did. The bye week brought change, and the OL seemed like a whole new unit when they returned on Week 9. They finished the 2022 season with PFF ranking the unit in the middle of the back, a tremendous climb from the basement they had been in. 

The line was very fortunate to avoid injury during the season and this surely aided their growth. According to Mark Kaboly, from The Athletic, they played 5,753 snaps together out of a possible 5,800. That was more than any other team last season. 

Steelers Offensive Line Bringing Back A Helpful Tradition

Now the line is looking ahead to 2023 and how they can continue to capitalize upon the success they found post-bye week. Teresa Varley from the Steelers sat down with Dan Moore Jr, and talked to him about the growth and what they plan to do to continue to improve. 

Moore shared that the line made a decision as a unit to put in an extra day of work. Instead of having the traditional Tuesday off, they put in extra practice. 

"It was coming in and doing light stuff similar to what we would do after practice. Pretty much a pregame warmup, a few run techniques, a few pass techniques, but overall we'd be out there maybe 45 minutes to an hour."

Moore said that they bonded as a group, helping to lift one another up, as they stayed long after other players had left, getting in as much work as possible. 

"That little bit of repetition every single day, just to try and get ahead of the competition and perfect our craft was valuable. That is an example of the commitment that we tried to make throughout the season and not just doing it one week, but continuously every single week."

It didn't end with work at the facility. The unit brought back a tradition that started when the team had Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and others. They would get together every week, usually at Pouncey's house, for bonding time. 

"I've talked with Ramon and that was something that he mentioned they used to do. I mean it worked for them. So, hey, if it's not broke, then you don't have to fix it, right?"

"We were trying to make an effort to just hand out outside of the locker room, do stuff together, get to know one another, get to know each other's backgrounds and families. Doing something as a group, going out to eat, having fun, going to Topgolf or something similar."

Clearly, all of that extra time paid off. Steelers center Mason Cole agreed that the team time together is helpful.

"Playing offensive line in this league is challenging. If there's an opportunity for extra reps after practice or before practice, whatever it may be, physically it means a lot. But the camaraderie off the field, whether it be dinner or hanging out in the locker room with the guys after meetings or over just spending time with each other. Really listening, understanding, and knowing who you're playing with. Not only the player but as a person."

"For an offensive line that's all so important," Cole said. "It's a good time. It's good to get away from the stress and fatigue of the season and go out to dinner and have a good time with the guys and not worry about all that, even if it's just for a meal. It's just good to be around the guys."

What do you think about the OL bringing back this tradition? Do you believe it contributed to their improvement in 2022? How do you think the unit will fare in 2023? Comment below. 

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