Steelers lineman Marcus Gilbert itching to return
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Marcus Gilbert isn鈥檛 used to making national headlines, offensive linemen rarely do.
But the Steelers right tackle embroiled himself in a minor controversy this week after making some remarks about Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. Gilbert usually prefers to let his play do his talking, but few outside of the Rooney Complex have fully appreciated what the right tackle has meant to the Steelers鈥� line. Until now, that is.
Gilbert has missed the past three games and, coincidentally or not, Pittsburgh has gone 1-2 in his absence, making the Steelers鈥� 3-1 start a distant memory.
The Steelers鈥� high-powered offense, which had been inconsistent even in the best of times with Ben Roethlisberger, had averaged 27 points per game in the first four weeks but just 20 since Gilbert went down with a left ankle injury against Kansas City. With due respect to Chris Hubbard, who filled in admirably, he is not Gilbert.
鈥淭he way he mans that right side, Gil is very athletic and add to that his size and speed, I鈥檇 much rather have in him in there, and that鈥檚 not a knock on anybody,鈥� left guard Ramon Foster said.
If all goes as expected, the Steelers could welcome back as many as a half-dozen starters, Gilbert among them, for Sunday鈥檚 AFC North showdown against the Ravens in Baltimore. For the offensive line, a group that basically has been together for the last four years, it won鈥檛 be a moment too soon.
鈥淭he continuity that we have is huge,鈥� right guard David DeCastro said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e grown together over the years. (Hubbard) did a great job filling in, but getting (Gilbert) back will help us a lot.鈥�
The Steelers will need some help against Baltimore鈥檚 fourth-ranked defense that is still formidable 鈥� 16 sacks 鈥� despite its own litany of injuries, including Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumvervil.
With Ben Roethlisberger coming off knee surgery for a torn meniscus, keeping the quarterback upright will be paramount. The Steelers have lost three in a row against the rival Ravens and in those games, Pittsburgh鈥檚 QBs have been sacked 12 times. Last season, Gilbert鈥檚 breakout year, he surrendered just one.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a quality, quality veteran player,鈥� coach Mike Tomlin said of Gilbert. 鈥淵ou have to acknowledge Marcus鈥檚 know-how, capability and resume, and the comfort it provides not only our quarterback, but us as we look at schematic ways to attack (defenses). Marcus has proven to be a guy over time who you don鈥檛 have to worry about helping in a lot of ways, schematically. If he鈥檚 available to us, he鈥檚 potentially an asset to us in that area.鈥�
Last year, Gilbert made good on the five-year, $30 million contract he signed prior to the 2014 season. He shed 35 pounds to alleviate pressure from a previous ankle injury and responded with the best play of his six-year career, including shutting down Denver鈥檚 Von Miller twice. The only thing missing on Gilbert鈥檚 resume 鈥� besides a Super Bowl 鈥� is some Pro Bowl recognition.
鈥淚 think people are starting to see how good he really is,鈥� said DeCastro, who earned All-Pro honors last season playing next to Gilbert.
On Wednesday, Gilbert was a full participant in practice, and though he says he鈥檚 not quite 100 percent, he adds that nobody is halfway through the grind of a NFL season. During his rehab, the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder says he worked in the pool and spent time on the field during the Steelers鈥� recent bye week.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very frustrating especially when this is your livelihood,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 itching to play ball. It鈥檚 all I know.鈥�
That his return will come against the Ravens, the Steelers鈥� old nemesis, makes it even sweeter.
The Steelers haven鈥檛 won at M&T Bank Stadium since 2012, his second season. Gilbert embraces the challenge.
鈥淚f you ain鈥檛 walking around without a little hurt to you, then you didn鈥檛 give your all,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be that type of game. It鈥檚 going to be grimy. It鈥檚 going to be physical. It鈥檚 a game you circle on your calendar every year.鈥�