Thursday, 08 November 2012 19:13

Written by Gerry Dulac

            The turnaround by the offensive line, especially in the run game, has been astounding.

The career-high 147-yard rushing performance by Isaac Redman against the Giants was the third game in a row the Steelers have had a 100-yard rusher – the first time in five years they have managed to do that. The previous two games it was Jonathan Dwyer who rushed for over 100 yards …and Dwyer and Redman are the backups to injured Rashard Mendenhall.

The performances, though, are testament to the offensive line, which is getting more comfortable after several position changes and playing with an aggressive attitude.

Rookie Mike Adams, who has started the past three games at right tackle for injured Marcus Gilbert, has been one of the reasons. He struggles in pass protection, but he moves people off the line of scrimmage with his run blocking. Adams has played so well that it is likely Gilbert will not go back into the starting lineup when he recovers from his ankle injury.

Gilbert’s injury was nasty. The tendon tore away from the bone in his ankle and needed a good month to heal. But he didn’t need surgery. He is hoping to return for the Ravens game next week.

Also, after moving from right tackle, Willie Colon is getting more comfortable at left guard, especially when he has to pull on the team’s bread-and-butter counter plays. Even right guard Ramon Foster has been pulling to the left, something the team rarely does.

The Steelers put rookie No. 1 David DeCastro (knee) on the designated for return/injured reserve list, hoping he would be back by December to play right guard. But the way the line has been playing, DeCastro won’t be thrown back into the starting lineup when he returns.