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July 30, 2008

NEW – Steelers' offensive line 'pretty well set'

By ERIC KNOPSNYDER The Tribune-Democrat Wed Jul 30, 2008, 12:32 PM EDT

LATROBE — One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest questions marks of training camp might already be settled on just the third day at St. Vincent College.

Offensive line coach Larry Zierlein was asked after this morning's practice if he would like to know which players are going to be on the starting unit sooner rather than later.

“We’re pretty well set,” he said of the line, which gave up 53 sacks in 17 games last season and lost Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to free agency. “We’ll see what happens with the center thing once we get into preseason, but I’d say we’re pretty well set.”

One of the biggest topics heading into camp was what to do with Max Starks. The Steelers designated Starks as their transition player and are paying him $6.9 million this season, but it looks like he could end up backing up Willie Colon at right tackle and Marvel Smith at left tackle.

Zierlein was then asked if his comment that the Steelers were “pretty well set” meant that Colon would be the starter at right tackle.

“Willie’s looking pretty good,” Zierlein said. “Willie’s pretty good in the run game. He just keeps working on his protections and he’ll get better. He’s a competitor.”

That could mean that the only real position not settle yet is center. Sean Mahan started there last season, but could be replaced by Justin Hartwig, who started 15 games for Carolina a year ago.

Smith seems set at left tackle and Kendall Simmons is entrenched at right guard. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu is on the physically unable to perform list with an injured triceps and has been replaced thus far by Trai Essex.

Zierlein also downplayed the notion that Colon raised earlier in the camp, that some players didn’t know whether to follow the lead of Faneca last season or Zierlein, who was in his first season with the team.

“It has nothing to do with any individual, it has to do with the second year – talking the same language, knowing each other,” he said of the line coming together this year. “It has nothing to do with anybody that’s left or anybody that’s come. It has to do with continuity and timing.”

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