NFL Steelers' unstable offensive line may be reason for Sunday's loss

Pittsburgh was unable to form a cohesive offensive line against Denver.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- That fine line between winning and losing that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher always talks about just might be his offensive line.
In a league in which offensive line continuity is considered a key to developing consistency and confidence, the Steelers threw out the book -- make that their playbook -- in their 17-14 loss Sunday to Denver.
They regularly changed offensive linemen, not just from series to series but from down to down, in a mostly unsuccessful attempt to find a cohesive unit to protect quarterback Tommy Maddox and get a running game going.
Nothing really worked -- Maddox was sacked seven times and the Steelers (2-4) were limited to 85 yards rushing on 30 carries. Jerome Bettis had 34 yards on 14 carries and Amos Zereoue managed only 15 yards on 10 carries.
Maddox rolling out
The lack of protection became such an issue by the fourth quarter that the Steelers resorted to having the immobile Maddox roll out to throw -- a strategy akin to having the 255-pound Bettis run nothing but sweeps or toss plays.
Maddox showed his frustration with the ever-shuffling line's lineup when, after one sack, he spiked the ball into the turf in anger.
"It was comical at times," Maddox said. "Our receivers are always running in and out. We had our offensive linemen running in and out on any given play."
The Steelers dressed eight offensive linemen and all played, including Mathias Nkwenti and Keydrick Vincent, who hadn't played a down all season until Sunday.
The offensive line shuffle began in practice last week after it was decided that left tackle Marvel Smith (shoulder) wasn't ready. Smith has played only one series during the Steelers' current three-game losing streak.
More of a challenge
It became even more of a challenge for offensive line coach Russ Grimm to put together a workable unit when Nkwenti (back) and right tackle Todd Fordham (back) got banged up during practice.
As a result, the Steelers started All-Pro guard Alan Faneca at left tackle -- a position he hadn't played since high school -- and Vincent at left guard, Jeff Hartings at center, Kendall Simmons at right guard and Oliver Ross at right tackle. Ross had played left tackle the previous two weeks.
Later, Faneca went back to his usual spot at left guard, Nkwenti played left tackle, Vincent moved to right tackle and Chukky Okobi played center, with Hartings replacing Simmons at right guard.
Simmons, the Steelers' first-round draft pick in 2002, was diagnosed with diabetes just before training camp and appears to get tired late in games. He also has shoulder and elbow injuries.
On passing downs
On obvious passing downs in the second half, Nkwenti went to left tackle, Faneca played left guard and Vincent came out.
"We were just trying to find a combination that would work," Cowher said. "So we explored every option possible."
The Steelers, who are off this week, hope Smith will be ready for their Oct. 26 home game against St. Louis. If not, the line shuffling may continue for at least one more game, even if the Steelers realize that such a plan can't work in the long term.
"It would certainly help getting your left tackle back. ... But it's too early to tell at this point," Cowher said. "We went with what would give us the best chance to win. That's the approach we'll take every week."