Q&A about Doug Legursky

Yeah…I don't know a damn thing about this "Big Legursky" guy.

So, Bam Morris (Not sure if he's that Bam Morris, but you can ask him) of The Blitzburgh blog, dishes the dirt on Doug Legursky. Enjoy and tell a friend.

What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Doug Legursky has been a backup lineman in Pittsburgh for a while, and the thing about linemen is that they're hard to judge in a vacuum. As a backup, he's been dependable in filling in wherever he needs to, but he's been a backup for a middle-of-the-pack offensive line, so it isn't like he has an incredible pedigree or anything.

Why did he only start 17 games in Pittsburgh? Should he have started more or can he start in the NFL?

The Steelers have invested some high draft picks in the offensive line over the past few years, and I think there's a certain pressure to get those guys on the field. Legursky was primarily the backup center, and he had no chance of taking the starting job for Maurkice Pouncey. But Pouncey has been dinged up a few times and Legursky was always capable of stepping in. He isn't going to be a dominant offensive lineman, but I expect him to be a serviceable starter.

Can you talk about how he run blocks and pass protects?

It's really tough to evaluate a Steeler's ability to pass protect because of the way Ben Roethlisberger plays. He often extends plays longer than his line can hold their blocks, but that's because Ben will hold the football for 15 seconds if he can. That said, Doug Legursky is what I would call "acceptable" at both facets of blocking. He's not generally going to overpower a defensive lineman and clear space on his own, but he can hold his position and give up maybe a few steps back in pass protection. As a run blocker, he moves well enough along the line and manages to get his body on a defender. Nothing he does is all that exciting, but as I said, he has the tools of a serviceable starter in the NFL.

Anything interesting to add about him, character wise or off the field?

Can you think of a better football name than Doug Legursky? Every football player should be named Doug Legursky.
 

What position is he better at playing, center or guard?

Position flexibility is demanded by Steeler coaches for the offensive line. The pinnacle of that concept was Trai Essex, who was a regular backup lineman but started at least one game at every position on the line. Legursky hasn't ever played the outside, but he made appearances at center and both guard positions. His ability to pull when run blocking stands out when he moves from center to guard, and I've been comfortable seeing him play at either spot.

Anything else you want to include?

Legursky was a dependable soldier who helped hold things together when the Steelers' injury-prone offensive line needed him. The position is starting to get clogged up with draft picks though, and Legursky ultimately became expendable. Hopefully he'll find some stability and success in the new regime in Buffalo.

Hopefully that gives you enough of an overview. Linemen, by trade, are pretty unexciting, but without a reliable group, you're sunk. I think of Doug Legursky as a reliable, if uninspiring, player.