Gilbert Going From Right to Left Tackle in 2012 Says Colbert

The Steelers offensive line is going to be very different in 2012, as today GM Kevin Gilbert told 93.7 The FAN that the team will be shifting right tackle Marcus Gilbert to left tackle.

“I think going into right now knowing that Max Starks is an unrestricted free agent — and Max did a great job for us coming back last year — but Max is also rehabbing an ACL and only time will tell how quickly he heals and whether we’re able to re-sign him and add him back in the mix. But having done it (injuring his knee) in the playoff game, it won’t be early in the process.

“So I think if we were to line up today, I would imagine that, and ultimately it’s the coach’s decision, but my guess is Marcus Gilbert would kick over to the left and Willie Colon, who we’re fortunate to get back next year, would move up to the right.”

Gilbert had some good, and some not so good moments in 2011. He was a second-round pick (63rd overall) out of Florida last season, and while he started 13 games, late in the year he was sat by Mike Tomlin for the start of the Rams game for not having a good week in practice. He did end up starting 13 of 14 games as a rookie in place of Colon, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn triceps.