Maurkice Pouncey is one of the most physically gifted centers in the NFL. He stands 6 feet 4, weighs 305 pounds and can handle the toughest nose guards in the league one-on-one. He’s also agile enough to pull, which gives offensive line coach different Mike Munchak options when drawing up the running game.
The Steelers surely will miss Pouncey’s athleticism after he fractured the fibula in his left leg Sunday afternoon in the third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers, however, might miss Pouncey more in another often overlooked aspect of the center position.
Pouncey has the rare ability to dissect defenses quickly and get the offensive line in the proper pass protection or proper alignment on running plays.
“Pouncey can see things when his hand is on the ball,” Munchak said. “His vision is very good. His decision-making is very sound and very quick. When a center can make a decision that fast and get the boys all aligned that helps everyone relax and lets those guys do their jobs better.
“That’s the stuff that doesn’t get talked about much. I’ve been around a lot of good centers who have the physical makeup but who aren’t as sharp as he is mentally. He sees what defenses are trying to do, and he’s able to get us in the right thing. That helps all of us a lot.”
Munchak was interviewed last week before Pouncey’s latest injury. The topic was building a line that is strong down the middle.
The Steelers invested a first-round pick in Pouncey in 2010 and another in right guard David DeCastro in 2012 with the intent on them anchoring their offensive line for years. Now Munchak will look to eight-year veteran Cody Wallace to anchor the middle of the line for at least the first part of the season. The Steelers have yet to reveal a timetable for Pouncey’s return.
Wallace proved in 2013 that he can be a capable backup center.
Pouncey was lost for the season in the 2013 season opener. The Steelers signed Fernando Velasco to replace him, but, when Velasco was injured late in the season, the Steelers turned to Wallace to play center in the final four games.
The Steelers went 3-1 in those games and nearly made the playoffs.
This time, Wallace has 16 days to prepare for his new assignment. He won’t be a pulling center that will wow with his athleticism, but he has the grit and tenacity to compete in the trenches.
“Injuries are a part of the game,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “We don’t overanalyze that. It’s as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. We’ll make the necessary adjustments, and I’ll expect the ball to keep rolling because that’s the business we’re in.”
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: August 25, 2015, 4:00 a.m.