View topic - Communication on steeler O LINE. Kemo needs to talk more

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

Steelers line of communication
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 5, 2008

Steelers left guard Chris Kemoeatu is 6-foot-3, weighs 344 pounds and apparently has a nasty streak that is considerably longer than the tuft of hair protruding from his chin these days.

"His style of play, he's real aggressive and really physical out there," Steelers left tackle Marvel Smith said. "I love it. There's certain guys that have that mind-set, 'Every single play I'm going to dawg you out, I'm going to inflict pain on you.' On the offensive line, that's what you want."

One thing an offensive line does not want is a player who doesn't say a whole lot. And Kemoeatu may be many things, but verbose is not one of them.

"I hardly talk," the first-year starter said, "but I try to communicate a little better now, especially when I'm in there."

What strides Kemoeatu has made in communicating with his linemates will become evident Sunday when the Steelers host the Texans at 1 p.m. Houston boasts a formidable front four, and it is led by defensive end Mario Williams, who ranked among the NFL leaders with 14 sacks last season.

Complicating the task of protecting Ben Roethlisberger is the fact that the Steelers have two new starters (Kemoeatu and center Justin Hartwig) on a unit where five ideally function as one. And as far as establishing the cohesion that is vital to an offensive line's success, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "Really, the only way that you do it is through playing together."

The Steelers have a bit of a problem there since Hartwig has only played three games -- and sparingly in those contests -- with the first-team offensive line.

"A lot of people have asked me 'How long does it take (to build cohesion)?' " said Hartwig, who is the third different starting center in as many years for the Steelers. "Really, there is no timetable."

Time is of the essence since the line is the biggest question mark on an offense that is brimming with talent at the skill positions. The challenge for Hartwig, who has to call out blocking adjustments made at the line of scrimmage, is to get to know Kemoeatu and right guard Kendall Simmons (and vice versa) almost as well as he knows himself.

Defenses have become sophisticated enough that a formation showing one thing before the snap can morph into something totally different after it. The confusion that can cause makes it imperative for offensive linemen to react quickly and know how the others around them are going to react.

"There's plays depending on how the defense is aligned where I could be double-teaming with Kendall or I could be double-teaming with Chris," Hartwig said, "and I've got to let them know. It changes everybody's footwork, so that's how we have to be on the same page. We have to anticipate what could possibly happen by the looks they're giving us."

One thing that should help Kemoeatu, who is taking over for seven-time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca: He is playing alongside two veterans in Smith and Hartwig.

Willie Colon, a first-year starter at right tackle in 2007, said lining up next to Simmons, who is entering his seventh NFL season, helped him last season.

"When I got out there," Colon said, "Kendall watched over me. He kind of guided me through it."

Still, Colon added, it took time for him and Simmons to get on the same wavelength.

"You've got to learn each other's language, kind of feel each other out and know his tendencies, know his weaknesses," Colon said. "Once we got on the same page, we were fine. He'd say one word, and I knew what he was talking about, and I'd say one thing, and he knew what I was talking about. But it takes a bit (of time), I'm not going to lie."

One thing that could help speed up that process on the left side of the line: if Kemoeatu overcomes his apparent aversion to talking.

"I give him crap pretty much every day," Hartwig said of how quiet Kemoeatu is. "He's not a real vocal guy, but at the same time, he knows what he's doing, and that's what's important but as long as I make the calls and we're all communicating, we'll be fine."




Scott Brown can be reached at sbrown@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
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[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

When this beast of a man learns the offense, not just to 'communicate', but bark commands... He's going to be a force like that Faneca guy.

That's the biggest impression he made on me is his physicality. His ability to inflict heavy doses of 'move bitch, get out tha way' on someone.