Granted the Eagles pass rush can make many linemen look bad but the questionable play of the Pittsburgh Steelers young left tackle leaves the offense in danger. Should they finally solve their problem by getting Duane Browns from the Houston Texans?
Mike Adams doesn't stay healthy or protect Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh spent the top half of the NFL draft trying to inject life into their pitiful offensive line. While first round pick guard David DeCastro held up fine the real boos by Steelers fans got reserved for second round pick Mike Adams. Getting the nod to start against Philadelphia, Adams allowed 2.5 sacks on an already injured Ben Roethlisberger. Each sack came within a nine-play stretch. The only relief came when he left the game with a knee injury. Worst of all was his replacements didn't fare better. If this is what the Steelers can expect from Adams for 2012 than their hopes of returning to the playoffs are very much in doubt. Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace still hasn't reported for training camp and top running back Rashard Mendenhall isn't cleared to play with his injured knee. These losses could expose Roethlisberger to hits he can't take for long. Has the time come for Pittsburgh to find a real solution?
Texans have contract issues with Brown and Matt Schaub
A name that doesn't get tossed around much of late is tackle Duane Brown. While he stays firmly anchored on the left side of the Houston Texans offensive line, his future status with the team is in doubt. He together with quarterback Matt Schaub and linebacker Connor Barwin all become free agents in 2013. After a poor season two years ago marred by a four-game suspension for positive drug tests, Brown rebounded for an All-Pro worthy season. Coaches aren't alone in thinking the team must find a way to keep Brown. Schaub has said repeatedly he never has to worry about pressure from the left side when he drops back to pass. That's easy to say but Houston has some headaches ahead. Another good season by Brown could create a contract battle the Texans can't afford while they try to lock up Schaub and Barwin at the same time. If free agency gets too close they may even have to trade him. Either way a tackle-starved team like Pittsburgh could solve all their problems by adding Brown to their line. They have trade bait in draft picks or players and could create some cap space for free agency.
Still the Houston Texans know Duane Brown is their top priority. Matt Schaub could make things hard with a huge season though. Given what the Pittsburgh Steelers got from Mike Adams, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could use the help.




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