Dec 5, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Guy Whimper (68) and guard Uche Nwaneri (77) block against San Diego Chargers defensive end Jacques Cesaire (74) at EverBank Field. The Chargers defeated the Jaguars 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger seems to be getting the short end of the stick a lot lately.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have been bleeding offensive weapons the team hasn’t been able to add enough young talent to replace its older players.  While they are still a good team on the whole, when they don’t have Roethlisberger at quarterback it gets a whole lot harder.

Steeler nation discovered this last season when Roethlisberger was forced out of three games.  Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch simply aren’t the same caliber of quarterback Big Ben, but you don’t always count on your quarterback going down, and then your second quarterback as well.

Well, Roethlisberger, who already saw himself planted into the ground 30 times last season, just saw his job get tougher with the signing of ex-Jacksonville Jaguars right tackle, Guy Whimper.  Whimper, who was a backup in Jacksonville but still managed to see extensive time on the field, is absolutely atrocious.  Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Whimper:

Finally the Steelers decided, as if Ben Roethlisberger’s life isn’t tough enough, to add RT Guy Whimper. In 392 snaps last year he achieved a -14.6 grade and our third-worst Pass Blocking Efficiency rating — this after allowing a whopping 14 sacks in 2011.

Starter Marcus Gilbert only saw five games last season so it is concerning that Whimper may find a way onto the field for the Steelers.  Gilbert’s backup, Kelvin Beachum, didn’t do great but wasn’t nearly as terrible as Whimper during his time on the field.  I’m sincerely hoping, for the sake of the Steelers, that Whimper is gone before the season starts.

It’s sad but true that most Jaguars exports are terrible.  The Steelers should have avoided Whimper.

- Luke N. Sims

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June 12, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Guy Whimper (68) during minicamp at Florida Blue Health

Jacksonville Jaguars first round selection Luke Joeckel will be playing right tackle for the team (at least in his first year) and he will likely be a major upgrade over the revolving door that was the position with Guy Whimper and Cameron Bradfield in 2012.  Joeckel was widely regarded as the best offensive tackle, and perhaps prospect, in the 2013 NFL Draft and will make a major impact.

How big of an impact, do you ask?

While we won’t know until the season starts, we can extrapolate based on fellow former first round offensive tackle, Eugene Monroe’s rookie season stats and compare them to the numbers from Britton, Whimper, and Bradfield.  We’ll be using Pro Football Focus’ grades for pass protection and run blocking to compare.  While Monroe plays left tackle, the argument has been made (often times by PFF) that the two positions are relatively equal in pressure surrendered and the results of those pressures.

Eugene Monroe (2009): 

• Pass blocking (Season): -7.1
• Run blocking (Season): +9.8
• Pass blocking (high): +2.1 (weeks 10 and 17)
• Run blocking (high): +2.6 (week 15)

Cameron Bradfield (2012):

• Pass blocking (Season): -2.2
• Run blocking (Season): -4.6
• Pass blocking (high): +3.9 (weeks eight)
• Run blocking (high): +.6 (weeks five, eight, and 14)

Guy Whimper (2012):

• Pass blocking (Season): -10.2
• Run blocking (Season): -4.4
• Pass blocking (high): +.2 (weeks 11 and 12)
• Run blocking (high): +2.6 (weeks three)

While Monroe was a definite liability in pass protection during his first season in the league, he was an absolute upgrade over Britton and Bradfield in run blocking.  As a much better pass protector in 2013 he should provide a strong presence opposite Joeckel, even if he struggles in pass protection like Monroe did during his rookie season.

The numbers speak to Whimper and Bradfield being mediocre at best and terrible at their worst.  Joeckel promises to make this line better.  Even if he does surrender a lot of pressure in his rookie season, his upside is considerably higher than Whimper and Bradfield.  The importance of having Joeckel on the offensive line, even if he was a “reach” at the right tackle position, can not be overstated enough.  The Jaguars cannot survive more poor play from guys like Bradfield.

We’ll see how Joeckel looks during the rookie minicamp beginning on Friday.

- Luke N. Sims

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Oct 9, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Guy Whimper (68) reacts during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars have begun to remove some of the dead weight on the roster.  Some of the first cuts in GM Dave Caldwell’s tenure include massively overpaid right tackle Guy Whimper, quarterback John Parker Wilson, and defensive back Brandon King.

I’m perfectly alright with these moves.

The Jags need improvement at right tackle and Whimper was simply a major part of the problem.  He received a contract extension under ex-GM Gene Smith after playing terribly.  He and Cameron Bradfield showed a lot to be desired during their time as the primary players in rotation on the right side of the offensive line.  The Jags are now on the path to recovery.  Wilson and King were low on the depth chart and rather inconsequential.

As the Jags continue to focus on getting rid of non-helpful/non-contributing pieces, expect more players who don’t see the field or have bloated salaries to be released.

- Luke N. Sims

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