Alan Faneca

from injury, our biggest concern still seems to be the offensive line, and the gaping hole left by Alan Faneca. Most experts felt that Ben Roethlisberger would spend more time on his back this year than Paris Hilton at a roofies convention. Through the first few games, that looked to be the case. In fact, there probably would have been more sacks of Big Ben this year if he wasn’t bigger than most of the defenders he faces. You better send at least a linebacker to get Ben. Safeties tend to bounce off of him like good ideas bounce off of Al Davis: with little to no effect.

Continue reading "The State of the (Steeler) Nation: Week 6"

In hopes of avoiding a repeat, N.Y. was busy in the off-season. They signed guards Alan Faneca and Damien Woody to shore up a porous offensive line that allowed 53 sacks, added two linebackers (free agent Calvin Pace and first round draft pick Vernon Gholston) to improve a dismal pass rush that produced 29 sacks, and changed nose tackles in two separate trades (bye Dwayne Robertson, hello Kris Jenkins) to fortify a mediocre run defense that was ranked 15th in the league.

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