Steelers Analyst Silences The Critical Fans By Detailing Super Bowl Caliber Play From Isaac Seumalo In 2022

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been making moves during free agency, including beefing up the offensive line by signing guards Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo. This might be the influence of assistant General Manager Andy Weidl, as both players played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Seumalo in 2022 and Herbig in 2021 (he was with the New York Jets in 2022) or it could be a wonderful coincidence. 

Regardless of why these two were chosen, the message is clear, the Steelers are strengthening the trenches and protecting their sophomore quarterback, Kenny Pickett.  

The Steelers Are Bringing The Beef With Isaac Seumalo

Former Steelers linebacker and host of The Arthur Moats Experience, Arthur Moats broke down Seumalo's film and showed exactly how he brings a Super Bowl caliber of play to Pittsburgh. Moats says that he can see why the Steelers were interested in Seumalo. He took the most recent film of Seumalo playing, which was when the Eagles played the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. He slows and stops the film during his show so the viewer can follow along. 

"Definitely excited about this pickup. It's really a massive upgrade for us. It's cool getting a chance to chop up some Super Bowl film. Notice his head is facing inside looking at the center. In Philadelphia's offense, he was the guy that would always call the snap count. He would look back, Jalen Hurts would do his little signal towards him then he would tap him and then go ahead. Just giving you a bit of why he always looks like this when the ball is about to snap."  

Moats explains Seumalo benefits his team during both run and pass plays.

"Excellent job of getting his hat and hands in the right place. He keeps a good base between his legs and his feet. From there, he comes off that and still influences the linebacker. When you look at how he's able to gain that ground I definitely like that a lot. He is really quick out of his stance, excellent footwork, strong hands, understands how to get people up and out of their position and ultimately win that grass."

Seumalo is not just a benefit in one type of play, he is also strong in both run and pass protection. Moats points out that this "dual-threat" type of skill makes him even more indispensable. He credits Seumalo for being one of the key factors in Philadelphia being able to be so physical in the trenches in 2022, calling him their "main guy."

"We're gonna get a chance to see Isaac having to block one-on-one in pass protection versus Chris Jones, who we know is one heck of a player. Jones is in a wide three almost a four. Isaac understands that he is blocking the launch point for the quarterback so he doesn't have to feel like he has to drastically kick out, instead he has the protection coming to him."

"They got the inside linebacker blitzing so you're not going to get any help, it is a true one-on-one. I like how he has this guy faced up square to square. He's aligned right, he's not overset where his helmet is outside of Chris Jones' helmet. Note he still has inside body position which is key because we are trying to protect from right here. Jones, a big powerful man, strong, going with this bullrush, his patented move. We see Isaac with his feet repositioned to anchor him, he subtly moves his hand to keep Chris from pushing him onto the quarterback."

Moats says that Seumalo brings the veteran experience and skills that have been missing in Pittsburgh. The talents he displays are the small things that are critical to protecting the quarterback. While Pittsburgh's offensive line improved during the 2022 season, they still had weak areas that got exploited by superior defenses.    

"Isaac is showing he can anchor versus one of the premier interior pass rushes in the NFL. This was against Chris Jones, against any of the other guys it didn't even look close."

So what does this mean for James Daniels? Daniels was signed to a three-year contract by the Steelers last year and provided an upgrade to a weak OL.  

"James Daniels plays right guard as well. The beauty of Isaac is he's started multiple seasons at left guard, so he does have that positional flexibility."

It will be interesting to watch the completion for the starting guard positions play out in training camp. It feels like it has been a long time since we talked excitedly about the potential of our OL. 

What do you think about Seumalo? Do you agree with Moats about his abilities to support the run and the pass? Do you think he is a step up from what we have had? How do you think the fight for the starting guard positions will shake out? Comment below. 

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