Steelers Offensive Line Breakdown Play By Play Versus Packers Super Bowl XLV

Below is the play by play break down of the offensive line from Super Bowl XLV versus the Green Bay Packers. It is merely a pass or fail grade on if I think the lineman did his job or not. It also should be noted that we go under assumptions that we know what the assignment on each play was and sometimes it is not obvious. We have to grade on what we see and go from there. We added small notes to each play as well. As always if you disagree with any play, do so respectfully in the comments and give your reason so I can go back through and re-watch your disagreement.

Overall the Steelers offensive line turned in one of the best collective efforts of the season if not the best. Both tackles played outstanding and Doug Legursky really did a nice job filling in for the injured Maurkice Pouncey. Trai Essex looked great prepared and ready off of the bench and the running game really looked strong to the right side. The pass protection was more than adequate outside of the sack and early pressure that led to the interception.

Offensive line coach Sean Kugler deserves a medal for the way he kept this line pieced together and progressing in performance as the year went on. Flozell Adams made a solid transition to right tackle and Jonathan Scott went from a liability at left tackle to a very serviceable left tackle.

Overall Rating

Run Blocking Rating

Pass Blocking Rating

First Half Rating

Trai Essex – Essex played 8 snaps at 3 different positions during the game and did a fine job coming in cold each time. He was in on 4 running plays and 8 passing plays and looked good in a pinch. Essex is now a free agent after this game and it will be surprising if he returns in 2011. He started the season at right guard, but quickly found his way to a reserve roll. If he is brought back, it will be because they like his position flexibility and play off of the bench.

Jonathan Scott – Scott had a great game and really came into his own during the playoffs. His pass blocking really has improved and his footwork and use of his hands are the reason why. It is like a light came on for him after the regular season game against the New York Jets. His run blocking is still not great and he still is not an every down left tackle in my book. Against the Packers, he once again was lucky to draw inferior competition against him.

Flozell Adams – Adams left for a few plays after attempting to make a tackle on the interception return for the touchdown, but was soon back in the lineup. He was real strong against Clay Matthews and whoever else lined up against him to rush the passer. He was also good in the running game as well. He misses blocks at the second level as it is not his specialty. He is good turning his man inside or outside when that is his only task. He really has become a very serviceable starting right tackle. He had a great Super Bowl and it would be great to see him compete for the starting job in 2011 as he is currently under contract.

Doug Legursky – You would of never known that that was the first start that Legursky ever made at center. He looked very in control and handled the line calls well. He is quick off the ball, but is not as nimble as Maurkice Pouncey is. The only real bad mistake was on the Rashard Mendenhall fumble when he got blown up on his pull right. It is not a play the Steelers often run and Ryan Pickett made a great play. In pass protection, Legursky was mostly saddled with helping right or left as it was not often he was singled up one on one. He had a few A gap pressures he shared blame with Chris Kemoeatu on. As I note before, Legursky is a much better center than he is a guard. He is an exclusive rights free agent and unless the Steelers draft a guard like Mike Pouncey who can also play center, I expect Legursky will be back in 2011 because of his position flexibility. He had a great Super Bowl.

Chris Kemoeatu – Kemoeatu has been on a downward spiral for a while and the Super Bowl was once again not one of his best showings. It started with allowing the pressure that resulted in the arm of Ben Roethlisberger being hit on the interception returned for the touchdown. While he was adequate in the running game and looked good on several pulls, he looked bad in pass protection at times. B.J. Raji schooled him a few times as well. He also struggled on a few stunts and A-gap responsibilities. He also had another stupid penalty for a spear in the back. We have seen much better from Kemoeatu in the past and we hope that 2010 was just a down year for him as he is under contract for a while. He will surely want to forget this Super Bowl.

Ramon Foster – Foster scored the worst, but several plays were close to being pluses and I might have been a little hard on him. He made some very nice blocks, but did have a key holding call on him. He gets beat inside still at times in pass protection and we have seen that before throughout the season. He is a much better run blocker when asked to block down inside. He seems to forget technique at times and just tries to maul instead. His footwork seems to have improved and he certainly has a chance to be a reserve guard going forward. We have seen much worse from him this year.

Offensive Line Breakdown Play By Play