This has been the position of need since Alan Faneca left the organization. We have filled it with undrafted guys and late round picks that have done their best but never really panned out. It is also a position though that could be very easy to fill this upcoming season. There are quite a few good guards in the draft and free agency. While it may not be our biggest need it is definitely our weakest position.
The Steelers had a revolving door at guard this year. They played Chris Kemoeatu, Tony Hills, Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster and Trai Essex at any one point in time and all of them were potential starters going into the season. That does not make much sense. If both guard positions are open to start the season something is wrong.
Ramon Foster was in Mike Tomlin’s doghouse this summer. No one knew why but Foster started and played well for the Steelers a season ago and then in camp all of the sudden was not allowed on the field. He did end up getting the job in the end but why it took so long I have no idea. Foster should be cemented in his position if the Steelers do not pick up an upgrade in the draft or free agency. If they stay status quo the job should be his.
Chris Kemoeatu is on his way out the door. He has a low cap hit and is dispensable. He was nothing but a numbskull this season. All kinds of bad penalties and just a lack of common sense. Add that to his degenerative knee and you have a guy who will not be here next season.
Then there is Doug Legursky. I like Legs but if he is not at Center he is not a true starter in this league. He is a great swing player who I would never let go because he can fill in when you need him but as a starter it is center or not at all. His strength is his best asset and it works out for him when he is lined up face to face and one on one. In the AFC North that guy is the center. Most teams play a 3-4 defense so Legs is uncovered at Guard most of the time. That is not where his best ability lies.
So how do we fix this problem? That actually could be a very easy answer. This is a strong free agent class for guard. We will never get the top guy on the market as Carl Nicks should be getting what could be the highest paid guard contract ever. We do not have the money for that. He is not on our radar. I would jump for joy if he was but it won’t happen.
They guy on the list I would like to see us go after is in the division. Ben Grubbs of the Baltimore Ravens who just became a Pro Bowler this year. Grubbs is a road grader who can also hold his own in the pass game. He will only be 28 at the start of next season. A nice 4 year deal would be great to get Grubbs on this squad. It also hurts Baltimore in the process. He could take over the left guard spot and start to sure up the left side of the line.
Whether we get Grubbs or not this draft is solid in the guard category. The guy that everyone wants is David DeCastro. He will go by pick 15 we have no chance to get him unless by some miracle he falls. To many teams need a good interior lineman for that to happen though. Cordy Glenn could be a good second option. He is a tank. He could man the right guard spot in this offense. He is huge at 6’5 and 346 pounds. He has long arms as well with a reach of over 35 inches. He is good in the run game and will keep Ben Roethlisberger on his feet.
If that does not happen there are some good middle round options. Between rounds 2-4 the Steelers could get a starter at guard. Keleche Osemele, Brandon Washington and Senio Kelemete are all guys I would go to bat for. There is one guy though who everyone is high on and I am not. People have Kevin Zeitler up on their radar and all I see is another Kraig Urbik. A tight Wisconsin Guard who can run block well but will never be anything more then what we already have now. He is highly over rated. There are people who have him going in the first round. That is just crazy.
There is one guy who is climbing the charts right now due to his Senior Bowl practices. That is James Brown the Offensive Tackle out of Troy. Brown has played well this week. He looks like he could be solid as a tackle which is why he is moving up the boards but I like his look at guard. In one on one drills and team drills he has been a stud at Right Guard. With protection on both sides Brown is much more confident and blocks with more aggression. He could be a third round guy that you plug in day one at right guard and never look back. He may even climb to round two by the time this is all said and done.
There is one other option that I know everyone hates. If Peter Konz is on the board at 24 we could always take him. He is a center out of Wisconsin. He is more of a road grading center who can hold his own against the pass. His strength is good and he anchors well. He is a center though. That would mean moving Pouncey to Left Guard. Pouncey is going to be an All Pro no matter which position he plays on the interior offensive line. That is a last gasp scenario though.
The guard position is easily fixable this year. The Steelers just have to be willing to spend either some money or an early pick to do it.
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