Steelers/NFL
STEELERS TO CONSIDER RESIGNING STARKS IN JULY, LET GILBERT TO CONTINUE TO GROW AT RT?
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach staff has viewed Marcus Gilbert as the team’s starting left tackle in 2012 but those plans might be on hold as the Steelers envision 2012 second round pick Mike Adams being ready to play left tackle by the 2013 season, after a full year of NFL coaching under his belt
One discussion inside Steelers circles among the coaches and high ranking officials expected to take place in the coming weeks is considering the possibility of keeping Gilbert at right tackle and bringing Max Starks back on a one year deal at the league minimum if his knee checks out as the Steelers expect to evaluate Starks situation prior to training camp in July.
By going this route, Starks would start at left tackle in 2012 in a short-term role, letting Gilbert stay at right tackle where he’s comfortable at (continue to grow) and right tackle is the position the Steelers coaching staff now see’s Gilbert long-term with Mike Adams viewed as the long-term left tackle and a better fit there.
Therefore, the transition of Willie Colon to left guard could begin immediately this summer as Colon’s long-term position in the organization is now viewed at guard and being 29 years old, it has to happen now and by developing Colon at guard this season, it would setup an offensive line in 2013 of LT Mike Adams – LG Willie Colon – C Maurkice Pouncey – RG David DeCastro – RT Marcus Gilbert, an O-line the Steelers would love to evolve.
Look for Gilbert to open OTA’s at left tackle and Colon at right tackle but this O-line group is far from settled and releasing Jonathan Scott (save $2.2 million) and getting Max Starks back at the league minimum this summer would make transitioning Colon to left guard a strong possibility.
