Pouncey to retire?

[Greeksteel]

SteelerNation
@SteeIerNation
·
9m
#Steelers beat writer
@dlolley_pgh
reporting that Maurkice Pouncey plans to retire.

Dale Lolley says Ben and Pouncey were talking about their offseason while sitting on the bench after the game alone. He says Pouncey has made his decision. He's done and that is why Ben Roethlisberger was in tears. Eyes #Steelers

[Orangesteel]

Wowzers.

[jewelsongs]

A great Steeler. Good luck, and God bless.

[SteelerDayTrader]

great Steeler.......its time tho

I wonder if he looks at guys like John Smith and contemplates his role in not being more of a demanding leader at times ??

[955876]

Good

Pouncey living off past rep for at least a couple seasons now.

[Orangesteel]

Thanks, fucker, for firing that first snap into the lower bowl of Heinz Field. Jesus that was bad.

[KCSteeler]

Just heard this on 93.7 The Fan referencing Lolley.

[Jobu]

Gotta say I’m not surprised.

[Pabst]

If he does, that's $8m off the books next year.

[Greeksteel]

Thanks, fucker, for firing that first snap into the lower bowl of Heinz Field. Jesus that was bad.

And not just that, watch this and look how badly he whiffs on the block, unbelievably bad..

http://twitter.com/i/status/1348723613873139713

[Kodiak]

Gotta say I’m not surprised.

Fairly obvious seeing them on the bench and then seeing Ben in the presser wanting to come back.

Also, if you've watched Pouncey the last few years then you know why we don't run a QB sneak.

[Steelperch]

Cap room will help. Nice to not have to cut the guy, Center becomes a huge need.

[K_C_]

Fuck him.

Looked like the cocksucker had money on the Browns with how he started that game.

I've never seen a worse shotgun snap than that, in my life.

So glad Pouncey got the rest he needed the previous week.

Dick.

[Obviously]

If true, I wish him luck getting on with his life's work.

[stillcajun]

He was great in his prime. He hasn't been good for a couple of years.

This last Pouncey game is the epitome of his play the last few seasons. The 1st bad snap followed by getting blown up in short yardage on the last Watt short yardage run. He was on skates 3 yds into the backfield at the snap. He's not been strong at the point of attack in the run game for years.

I wish him well as he goes on w/ his life's work.

[Greeksteel]

i legit always thought he was overrated, but the last 4 or 5 years were really bad

[Jobu]

I’m not going to hammer on the guy, because like with every other Steelers great hanging it up I prefer to recall the good times.
That said, at the very least, this takes one tough decision off the table, and helps with the cap problem.
On the other hand, it puts center a top 3 round priority.

The rebuild has begun...like it or not.

[tbsteel]

How awesome was he that rookie year in 2010? What a revelation that dude was, and was the key piece in turning our o-line from dogshit into a force for most of this past decade.

He looks washed at this point though. All those lower leg injuries may have played a part in that. Retired or cut is the way it needs to be.

[955876]

He looks washed at this point though. All those lower leg injuries may have played a part in that. Retired or cut is the way it needs to be.

Not sure how those injuries made it so he can no longer snap the football.

Did he even warm up prior to the game?

[Greeksteel]

Pretty revealing clip here, Ben to Pouncey: "You're the only reason I wanted to do this, Man"

http://twitter.com/i/status/1348735731380977671

[Steel Mike]

Anyone know if Dotson could play center? Might help mitigate a big loss and help get the best 5 linemen on the field. They'd also finally be strong up the middle for a change.

Chuks/Feiler (if re-signed)/Dotson/DD/Banner

Draft G/C and a T

Not sure how realistic that is, but they'll need a C badly.

[shellwagnerblount]

i legit always thought he was overrated, but the last 4 or 5 years were really bad

Very overrated and I broke a rule and bought a jersey with his name on it. He looked like the next great center in the mold of Webster, DD and Hartings. He was very good, IMO, in his prime. Mobile and consistent but many have pointed out his weaknesses in the run game. The last 5 years he's been an overpaid mediocrity getting by on guile and smarts, IMO.

I hope we never pay a center big money again. Pay the tackles and ONE guard..the rest are replaced when they want more money. Those salaries crippled the team for YEARS.

Someone on here laid out the fact the Steeler have not drafted Oline higher in the draft for YEARS. Sorry couldn't find the original post but I copied it when I saw it. You have to replenish every year. Now we are looking at replacing MP, DD (soon!) and finding a new LT (AV is done). Wonderful.

Quote:
In 2012, the Steelers drafted OL with their first 2 picks in Decastro and Mike Adams.
Since then––8 drafts––they have drafted a total of ONE offensive lineman in the first 3 rounds.

25 picks in the first 3 rounds the last 8 years: ONE offensive lineman selected.

[KCSteeler]

I enjoyed him going apeshit after Rudolph got brained last season. Classic Pouncey!

[Kodiak]

winged god of the 2nd level

[Stillerz Bar]

Good

Pouncey living off past rep for at least a couple seasons now.

This is where I am - his reputation has been far better than his play for several years. While he did have a period where he was one of if not the best Centers in the league, in truth it was much shorter than the media seems to remember. He is still usually decent at pass blocking because he can often use his experience & knowledge to shift platers away from Ben. However, he regularly gets out muscled, especially in the run game. If you want to know why we couldn't run up the middle for the last 10 weeks or so just watch his run blocking and you'll see the middle getting clogged up almost every time.

With all that said, he was certainly an asset to the team over the years and I thank him for his service but we need someone better in the middle of our Offense - if someone is going to eat that much cap space they have to be dominant and he is no longer even close.

[W&M_Steeler]

winged god of the 2nd level

[steelmann58]

Maybe they can find aCenter that can snap the Ball correctly

[Jizz Mop]

Way to go out on top!

Thanks for the lasting memory of launching it over Ben’s head 10 seconds into the game.

[bradshaw2ben]

I’m not going to hammer on the guy, because like with every other Steelers great hanging it up I prefer to recall the good times.
That said, at the very least, this takes one tough decision off the table, and helps with the cap problem.
On the other hand, it puts center a top 3 round priority.

The rebuild has begun...like it or not.

Along with LT, QB, RB, & TE. Good luck!

[Jobu]

I’m not going to hammer on the guy, because like with every other Steelers great hanging it up I prefer to recall the good times.
That said, at the very least, this takes one tough decision off the table, and helps with the cap problem.
On the other hand, it puts center a top 3 round priority.

The rebuild has begun...like it or not.

Along with LT, QB, RB, & TE. Good luck!

Well if you are truly committing to a rebuild, you acknowledge that it isn’t happening in one off season.
That said, I know the Steelers FO doesn’t think that way. It’ll be business as usual on the south side.