Mike Tomlin talks about results a lot and is considered results-oriented guy. So when he had a chance to hire the offensive line coach that was behind the fifth best rushing team in the NFL in 2012 he made a quick decision.
“The proof is in the pudding,” said Tomlin. “When I had an opportunity to look, not only at what he says from a presentation standpoint but also at what the tape looks like, it was attractive. Obviously they were in a tough situation this past year in Kansas City from a team standpoint. Their (2-14) record reflects that. They had some instability at the quarterback position, but they ran the ball and they ran the ball consistently.
“They played the AFC North, and they ran the ball very well against all the teams in the AFC North,” said Tomlin. “They ran the ball effectively against us when Jamaal Charles had a 100-yard game. That was attractive to me. The plan they were able to put together, the success they were able to have vs. some people we are going to see quite a bit was a selling feature.”
“Our offensive line group is that group, and so I’m looking for somebody to lead that group who best fits what the group’s needs are,” said Tomlin. “We have a lot of young guys, a lot of emerging, developing players, and so the ability to teach and communicate and particularly develop fundamental skill are all important. Those are assets of (Bicknell’s) capabilities.”
“Obviously Jamaal Charles is a talented runner,” said Tomlin, “but when you look at their tape, there are running lanes. They did a nice job of not only getting hats on hats, but the technique with which they executed those blocks, and the demeanor they displayed individually and collectively in how they finished plays were attractive coaching aspects of the tape.”
“You have to be effective at both to be a really good coach at this level. He has displayed that,” said Tomlin. “He has developed young guys. They had some young guys and some emerging young guys with the group he worked with in Kansas City. He worked with a veteran group for a number of years when he was a part of that New York Giants group that had Chris Snee and Shaun O’Hara who were a part of that system as veteran football players. He has shown the ability to coach both young and old. He’s a fundamental guy, and the tape displays that. And schematically, I was impressed with the plan they were able to put together against some people we see and see quite often.”
Bicknell will have a lot of youth and potential to work with in Pittsburgh. Over the past three NFL Drafts the Stelers have spent two first round picks and two second round picks on the offensive line. They also have a seventh round pick, in Kelvin Beachum, who played well at the end of the 2012 season and could have Willie Colon and/or Ramon Foster back in 2013.
However, if the Steelers decide to go with Beachum at guard instead of Colon or Foster they will have five starting lineman all under 25 years of age. That group will be young and inexperienced, but full of potential and athleticism so a good teacher and a good coach will ne necessary and Bicknell will have to step up to the plate and lead that group.
The other aspect of the running game that the Steelers will address this off-season is to find a feature back. The Chiefs had the fifth best rushing attack in 2012, but they also have Jamaal Charles. The Steelers will need to find their “guy” this off-season whether that guy is a free agent or a draft pick.
Photo Credits: Kansas City Chiefs
Quotes via Steelers.com
