The Pittsburgh Steelers Can Now Feel Confident in Their Offensive Line

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had question marks surrounding their offensive line for a few seasons now, but 2011 surely proved they needed to make some significant improvements.

The Steelers fielded a league-high 25 different offensive line configurations last season, thanks to ill-timed injuries and other concerns, and that kind of instability led to a drop in the team's running production as well as contributed to the 40 sacks taken by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Clearly, that's not a sustainable model, and the Steelers realized it. Their response? Taking two offensive linemen in the first two rounds of the 2012 draft, guard David DeCastro in the first and tackle Mike Adams in the second.

Those two picks represent what should be at least five, if not 10, years of greater offensive line stability. Adams will be plugged in at left tackle, DeCastro at right guard, with Doug Legursky at left guard, Maukice Pouncey at center and Marcus Gilbert at right tackle for the 2012 season.

If all can stay healthy throughout the season, the Steelers look to have one of the most consistent protecting lines in the league.

Having a strong offensive line is imperative for the Steelers this season in particular. With a new offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, running the show, it's going to be a learning experience for every member of that offense. All play-calling runs through the offensive line—without confidence in that one area, it's going to be a far steeper learning curve than it would be otherwise. 

These two picks mean that Roethlisberger, the five running backs vying for playing time and their crew of receivers will have a much better chance to understand Haley's system without the nagging fear that everything will be blown up by opposing defenses smashing through a thrown-together line.

This is a season of change for the Steelers, but luckily the changes they've made their offensive line should only help their chances to learn and master Haley's system. 

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