Lolley: Getting Gilbert back could fix Steelers' red zone woes

Nov 11, 2017 • 12:00 am

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This might sound pretty simple, but Marcus Gilbert could be the key to the Steelers' red zone woes.

Don't believe me?

Consider this: With Gilbert in the lineup, the Steelers are 5 of 7 scoring touchdowns in red zone opportunities. Without him, they are 7 of 22.

That sounds pretty convincing to me.

Certainly, the time with Gilbert in the lineup is a small sample. But we do know that without him in there, things just don't look as crisp. With all apologies to the other guys on the line, he is the Steelers' best straight-ahead, power run blocker. He's also excellent in pass blocking.

Then there's this: When Gilbert isn't on the field, Chris Hubbard has to play right tackle, taking him out of the equation as the team's sixth offensive lineman and a blocking tight end. B.J. Finney has filled that role at times this season and done fine, but he isn't as athletic as Hubbard, who is accustomed to playing on the edge.

The Steelers offense should be better with Gilbert back in the lineup Sunday for a number of reasons.

• If you missed my interview earlier this week with Randy Fichtner, the Steelers' quarterbacks coach, you missed a good one.

In it, Fichtner, who has worked with Ben Roethlisberger as both a receivers coach and quarterbacks coach for the past 11 seasons, stated the team is seeing less of Roethlisberger putting on the "Superman cape" than in previous years. It was a big admission by a member of the Steelers' coaching staff. In fact, it's the first time, in my memory, that one of them has admitted that Roethlisberger might be slipping a bit.

For example, here's what Todd Haley said about that very subject this week: "Each and every year I’ve been here – even though statistically it’s not showing – the guy has looked like he’s grown every single year to me as a player."

Certainly Roethlisberger has grown as a player above the neck. But below the neck, the growing is done. Fichtner's statement was an admission that this version of Roethlisberger isn't being asked to save the day all the time.

And that's not a bad thing. Roethlisberger's accuracy isn't what it was a couple of years ago. Numerous knee injuries over the years have taken their toll on his ability to step into and drive the ball down the field. But he can still be an effective quarterback -- one capable of taking this team to a Super Bowl. He's shown flashes, such as in the first half against the Bengals. His movement in the pocket, however, is pretty much gone. That's what made him special, that ability to make chicken salad out of you know what when things broke down.

That's OK, though, because the Steelers have done a nice job of surrounding him with talent.

"We just talk about him being that point guard, more often times than not," Fichtner said. "Get the ball to the right guy to make a play and trust these guys to make a play. We’ve got enough guys to do that."

A quarterback is always a point guard. They direct the offense and get the ball to the scorers. For such a long time, Roethlisberger was one of those scorers himself. He's not necessarily taking a back seat with this team, but it's a far different role from the one to which he had become accustomed.

The fact that he's willing to take on that role shows you a lot about him as a player. This is a guy who hates to lose more than he likes to win. And that, to me, is the biggest compliment you can pay to any competitor.

• Hubbard has made himself a lot of money this season. He'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and guys who can capably play any spot on the line, even if they don't necessarily excel at them, are worth plenty on the open market.

Hubbard might best be suited to serve in the role he does here, as a sixth man. But given the lack of quality offensive linemen around the league, he's going to cash in for $5 or $6 million per year.

• I asked Antonio Brown Friday what his thoughts were regarding A.J. Green going after Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey last weekend.

"You can't ever lose your head," Brown said. "You can't lose track of doing your job."

Brown faced Ramsey earlier this season and had 10 catches for 157 yards against the Jaguars. But it took 19 targets to get there.

Ramsey is getting quite a reputation as a trash talker. And you can bet the Steelers wouldn't mind another shot at that Jacksonville defense down the road after being embarrassed at home, 30-9, Oct. 8.

WHAT'S BREWING?

• Reminder: Tonight at 7 p.m. is our big PNC Main Street Meetup in Indianapolis, where DK, Chris Carter, Matt Sunday and I will be waiting to chat with you ahead of tomorrow's Steelers-Colts game.

• All four of us are headed out to Indy today, and Matt Gajtka is headed back to Nashville for the first time since covering the Penguins' fifth Stanley Cup championship.

• It's Saturday, which means it's Site Stuff day.

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