Heading into Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe, the battle for the starting left guard position was perhaps the most intriguing one to watch. Well, behind the starting quarterback competition, as that took a majority of the attention. Kendrick Green, entering his second season, was moved to left guard to provide competition for the often-injured, Kevin Dotson.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Just two weeks before the start of the regular season, the battle didn't go exactly as planned. In fact, the team has yet to announce who will start at left guard. Unfortunately, it's not because both of them did well either. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Green hasn't shown us anymore now than he did at the center position last season, struggling throughout this preseason.
Dotson has dealt with more of his own issues. Injuries. Even when he has been healthy at camp and during the preseason, he has not performed well.
While the offensive line as a whole has struggled, these two in particular have caused some major concerns in the team's blocking in 2022. As a result, the Steelers' front office may be looking at reinforcements. Dotson seems to be more likely to start at LG. That would be a change from the belief around the organization just a month ago. Multiple insiders thought Green was the frontrunner. Then again, Dotson was injured and not on the field at the time. The third-year left guard thinks he's earned that right, according to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Kevin Dotson thinks he will be the starter at left guard but he hasn’t been told anything officially
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 30, 2022
As Rutter tweets at the end there, Dotson hasn't yet been told who will start at LG. In addition to those comments, Dotson is confident in the offensive line unit. According to Chris Adamski, also of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Dotson thinks they have the potential and work ethic to get back on track and improve from an abysmal 2021.
"It just takes time. Once you start seeing things work, that's when you can go a little more fast and be a little more comfortable," Dotson said via Adamski's tweet. "I feel like [we've improved in] the pass game."
Steelers offensive line coach, Pat Meyer, enters his first season in his new position with the team. Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Dotson's comments certainly sound like someone that's continuing to get used to their new coach, Pat Meyer. Meyer, entering his first season as the team's offensive line coach, after Adrian Klemm's departure, becomes the third different at this position in as many seasons. For the line as a whole, that can't be easy. That particularly holds true because Meyer has been doing a few different things with the line than Klemm did last season. Even James Daniels, who figured to step in as the team's best lineman, has struggled in his transition to Pittsburgh, as Meyer has focused on a more physical, aggressive approach to blocking.
Do you think Kendrick Green or Kevin Dotson will start at left guard? Who do you want to see start? How concerned are you about the OL play still? Should the team consider cutting ties with Green? Share your thoughts in the comment section, and be sure to follow us along as the black and gold make their final cuts to get down to 53 players on Tuesday!
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