(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
In their week one game against the Texans, the Steelers allowed two sacks, both by Mario Williams. Pittsburgh also rushed for 183 yards, with 138 from Willie Parker.
In a rain soaked week two matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh allowed three sacks, while rushing for 117 yards.
In week three against the Philadelphia Eagles, the wheels came off, as the offensive line suffered it's first injury. Marvel Smith was lost due to another back injury, helping the Eagles record nine sacks against Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich.
Replacing Smith was franchised player Max Starks.
In week four, Pittsburgh lost their second starter for the season due to injury, when Kendall Simmons was lost for the year with a leg injury.
Against the Ravens, the Steelers allowed only (only?) three sacks. But what the Steelers really lost was the base of the offensive line.
The Line now looks like this.
LT - Max Starks, Round Three - 2004
LG - Chris Kemoteau, Round Six - 2005
C - Justin Hartwig, Free Agent.
RG - Darnell Stapleton, Undrafted - 2007
RT - Willie Colon, Round Four - 2006
Now, some people may not believe that it is a big deal to lose two offensive linemen, but when they are the anchors, it hurts worse than most teams can overcome.
Losing second round pick Marvel Smith, with his eight years of experience blocking the blind side to a person that could not beat out Wilie Colon for the starting job on the right side was bad enough.
Pittsburgh then had to replace former first round pick Kendal Simmons with an undrafted free agent.
In addition to that, Chris Kemoteau was in his fifth game replacing former All-Pro, Alan Faneca, and Justin Hartwig was in only his fifth game with the team.
Right tackle Willie Colon was the only player on the line that was held over from the prior year. And the team suffered for it.
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